Technical Issues:

  1. What is the URL for the clip you chose?  http://search.bbc.co.uk/planets/realmedia/9planets.ram
  2. What is the embed code you used for the clip?  If you didn't embed the clip, give a good reason why.

<embed TYPE="audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin"

SRC="http://search.bbc.co.uk/planets/realmedia/9planets.ram"WIDTH="320"

HEIGHT="360" CONTROLS="ImageWindow,PositionField,PositionSlider,PlayButton,StopButton"></p>

<!--webbot bot="HTMLMarkup" startspan TAG="XBOT" --></EMBED>

  1. How long is the clip?  The clip is 1 minute 27.6 seconds long
  2. How is the quality of sound and/or picture? The quality is good, not great (remember how far away these are), there is no audio.
  3. What type of connection to the Web did you use to evaluate your clip? I used a 56k modem Internet hookup. 
  4. Do you think your students will use an Internet connection which is the same, worse, or
    better than the one you used? Consider how this will affect the viewing quality of the clip you
    chose.      The Springfield School District has a LAN line, so it will be much quicker.  I do not think this will affect the quality of the video.

Pedagogical Issues

  1. What course topic will this clip be used for?  This clip could be used in Science (or Astronomy) to show the planets when they are learning about the planets and our solar system.

Learning Standard 12F.  Know the concepts that explain the composition and structure of the universe and Earth’s place in it.

Benchmarks:  Begin to recognize sun, moon, and earth as familiar object in our solar system. Identify and describe characteristics of the sun, Earth, and moon as familiar objects in the solar system.  Know the natural cycle and patterns in the solar system.

  1. What is the purpose of using this clip? For example, would you use this clip for :
    Review of past material:      This would be a visual example of the planets.  Students would be asked to identify which planet is represented and explain phenomena like the asteroid belt, the big spot on Jupiter…
  2. Presentation of new material: This could be used, it is more realistic than the usual circle representations of the planets that might be on a poster.
  3. Supplement the lesson content: Regardless how a teacher would study the solar system, this video could be shown.
    Extension of the lesson:  Students could write about their journey through the solar system.  In our Project for this class, students will be learning and investigating the planets, this would be an extension of this.  This could also be used as a lesson on (visual) perception.
    Other, please explain
  4. What type of exercise or activity would be tied to this clip, and how would you organize the assignment? For example would you assign:
    Comprehension questions about the clip's content
    Discussion questions based on the topic presented in the clip
    Ask students to discuss related topic or theme in the course conferencing forum
    Ask students to write a critique or summary of the clip
    Other, please explain:      I would use a combination of comprehension questions and well as open ended responses (either written or verbal).  Discussion questions could accompany the clip if this was view in a small group. 
  5. How would you provide for student interaction and/or collaboration? Students would have a better view if they were using the computer in small groups, and not viewing this off the LTV hookup.  A written guide with questions and discussion guides should accompany this clip if it is viewed in small groups.  I would also suggest that this be viewed more than once.  An LTV hookup could be used, but for optimum value, students should review this clip on the computer.
  6. Can you confidently argue that there are learning styles that will be best addressed by the inclusion of this media in your (hypothetical) lesson?  Visual learners will be impressed and interested in figuring out what is actually happening.  Auditory learners would need additional support to identify what planet is being shown.  I feel this could be accomplished with proper discussion among group members, or with teacher support.  Tactile learners could use materials to represent the planets and replicate the solar system.
  7. How would you assess student learning? Informal observation by the teacher could be used.  A more formal rubric could be designed to correlate with the guided questions and the discussion questions.  If students respond to this in an expository writing sample, the rubric for expository writing could be used.