Kids and Technology

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Program Title:

  Personal Development

  Course Title:

  Personal Development

  Course Number:

  8500230

  Career Cluster:

  Human Services

  CIP Number:

  09209921EX

  Course Type:

  Exploratory

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with the case study, “A Closer Look into Kids and Technology.” See CPALMS resource ID #215885.

• Career Connection

  
  

  Students will practice their abilities to analyze a topic and use critical thinking skills to debate benefits vs. the challenges of technology. This lesson also promotes communicating a point in a clear, concise, but respectful manner.

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Analyze and discuss the benefits vs. the challenges that kids face with current technology.
  • Analyze and discuss the impact that current technology can have on a family.
  • Identify causes of conflict and discuss strategies to resolve the conflict.
  • Demonstrate an ability to communicate appropriately using digital tools to produce writing.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with/able to:

  • Strategies used to resolve conflict.
  • Composing an email and the basic structure of an email.
  • Elements of persuasive writing.
  • The debate process and how to participate in friendly debate.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • How can we get our point across to others in a way that is respectful even if we are going against their belief?
  • How do we compose an email to someone? What information should be included vs. what information should we leave out?
  • What are some strategies we can use to resolve conflict?

• Procedure

  
  
  1. To introduce the lesson, have students answer the question “How much time do you think you spend in a day using technology?” Allow students to share out their predictions while the teacher writes some of the times down on the board. Provide students with the case study “A Closer Look at Kids and Technology” CPALMS resource ID 215885.
  2. Provide direct instruction for any unknown vocabulary.
  3. Students should underline or highlight the unknown vocabulary and write the definitions of each in the margin.
  4. Allow students to read the case study independently, but share reactions to the case study in pairs.
  5. When the reading is complete, pose the following questions:

     • When did the conflict first start in the scenario? Is there any way it could have been prevented? What could be done to resolve it?

     • From an outside perspective, do you feel you side more with Raimy or with Lily? Why?

     • How does technology impact your daily life? Are these impacts positive or negative?

     • Do you feel that there should be an age restriction on some technologies available to students? Why or why not?

  6. During this time the teacher should be walking the classroom and actively listening to conversations. After a few minutes, the teacher will share some things they heard students discussing.
  7. Divide students into small groups of 4-5 students. Explain to them that they will be participating in a friendly debate on the topic of students using technology.
     • Their group will either be arguing the benefits of technology for students or will be arguing the challenges that students face being surrounded by technology.
     • Pass out and review the provided handout for students to organize their arguments.
  8. Once students have completed their handouts, provide time for the friendly debate.
  9. Make note of who is participating and encourage all students to participate at some point during the friendly debate.
  10. Once the friendly debate is complete, students will take the information gather during the debate, both for and against their point on technology, to independently compose a mock email to either Raimy or Lily.
      • For example, if students debated in support of students using technology they would write to Lily and if they debated supporting the other perspective they would write to Raimy.
      • Explain that their objective is to validate the perspective of the person they are writing to, but write to persuade them to adjust their thinking on the use of technology as well as the benefits or challenges that come with using it.
  11. To bring the lesson to a close, have students write to reflect as an exit slip. Ask them to reflect on the debate experience and whether or not their thinking about students using technology has changed.
  12. Students should also reflect on their thinking regarding whether or not their thinking on how much time they spend using technology has changed in any way.
  13. Students should also answer one of the following questions:
      • How did debating the topic of technology in a friendly way help you understand the topics discussed in a deeper way?
      • How can you apply what was discussed today in handling conflict in your family or with a friend?
      • Why is it important to make sure you communicate your thoughts and ideas in a respectful and professional manner when sending electronic communications to people?

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • For the discussion questions, the teacher can have student pairings respond to one question on a digital discussion post or the teacher can post the questions on chart paper around the room and pairings can write answers on a sticky note and reply on the chart paper.
  • If students have not participated in a debate before, it is suggested that the teacher review expectations for the debate process during step 7 of the lesson.
  • The teacher can make a rubric for the mock email to be able to give students feedback on their persuasive writing and/or their communication skills when writing an email. Students can also write a draft email using paper and pencil and get peer feedback before typing it up using a word processing program.
  • Students might need additional time to finish different portions of the lesson. This lesson can be extended over additional days if needed.