NASA App Lesson

Introduction to NASA and Space

NASA APP LESSON PLAN

TPACK: The lesson’s goal is to demonstrate learning in technology regarding classroom content. Many of these Special Education students have limited understanding of what technology can do. Technology is extremely important to these students because it can be used as a tool for them to be more independent. This lesson should help the students develop Technological Knowledge. The NASA App demonstrates effective learning tools, such as articles, videos, TED Talks, images, interactive features, mission launches, and historical aspect of NASA. These tools will help display a different picture of who and what NASA is. The idea is for the students to explore NASA from a different perspective than reading out of a text book. The students will be able to start their own investigation to NASA just like the scientist discover space (Technology Content Knowledge). The students should begin to learn to use technology to help their learning process in discovering new ways to experience content. These student that will be completing this lesson with be High School Special Education students. Many of these students have limited writing and reading capabilities, so the application of using an iPad to discover learning about space is perfect for these students to still engage in the material. This is an example of Technical Pedagogical Content Knowledge where the teacher can use technology in various way to get the most out of the educational experience, while exposing the students to our technology world today.

SAMR (Substitution Augmentation Modification Redefinition)

Augmentation: The NASA App Lesson falls under the Augmentation level of teaching technology in the classroom. The students are substituting the app for using a textbook in the classroom, though they are using special features from the app that will enhance their learning. The learning has remained inside the classroom in this lesson. Though, if the students were to discover the NASA App Lesson, then communicate about what they have learned with another classroom through technology, it would help step the learning of technology to the next step of Modification. Modification is the first step in redesigning the learning to create a new understanding of technology and the content. Modification is the beginning of the transformation stage, which is where the deep learning and understanding occurs.

This link is a youtube video that helps describe what SAMR is: https://youtu.be/OBce25r8vto