Introduction of Lesson Plan

Name: James L. Coker Grade Level: 9-12

Content/Subject: Social Studies Lesson Start Time: 15 Aug 27

Number of Students: 25-28 Lesson End Time: 15 Dec 27

Standards/Quality Indicators/Skills

What are the Missouri and national standards identified for the lesson?

MEES Standards: https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/mees-teacher-candidate-assessment-rubric

Missouri Standards: MLS Disciplinary Tools: 1.A-C & E, 2, 5.A-B; Key Concepts & Understanding: 1 Theme 2.C (American History), Theme 4.A-E (American History)
National Standards: 2.c, 2.3, 2.4.a & c, 2.5, 2.6.a – b & d
MEES Standards: 1, 2.1, 3, 4.1 – .3, 5, 6, 7, 9

Learning Goals

Collaboration with other students
Creative thinking involving new technologies
Independent and introductory level research-oriented learning

Assessment

Pre-Assessment: A discussion-based question session and general knowledge exam will be provided on the second day of class. Exam answers will be reviewed by the teacher and provided to the classroom artificial intelligence (AI). Virtual reality (VR) and AI based learning material will be tailored to meet the class’s average knowledge level.
Formative Assessment: Students will be monitoring historical events unfold in VR. Using a combination of VR and AI, students will interact and talk with historical figures, learn to read and write cursive, and debate / question AI controlled historical figures. Please see the “Summative Assessment” for description of how students will be assessed on their learning. If a lesson’s assessment shows that the class on average has a strong understanding of the material presented, then in-class time will shift to focus on a topic the class has a weaker level of knowledge in.
Summative Assessment: Students will be assessed both formally and informally. Formally through testing and practical work such as writing assignments and essays. Informally through observation and analysis based on the student’s interaction with class material. AI will informally assist but will not be the primary decision maker.

Lesson Structure and Procedures

Sequence of events of the lesson elements.

Engage: This course will combine known historical knowledge with classic lectures but will also incorporate AI driven VR to help in adding a visual and interactive element to the learning experience.
Explore: Exploring history using AI and virtual technology. Lectures and writing activities will be involved as well.
Explain: They will write short research essays on the historical events they witness and on the discussions held with the virtual historical figures that they speak with. They will collaborate in groups to work on small research driven group projects. They will conduct daily journaling in cursive and participate in virtual tutoring.
Elaborate: This class exposes students to new technology and its applications while simultaneously allowing them to learn the subject in an interactive manner.
Evaluate: A combination of academic tests, small writing assignments, and small group research activities will collectively be used to evaluate students.
Sequence of Events: Students will be introduced to the technology used throughout the classroom and, in doing so, they will be introduced to the class’s AI tutor. Students will then be introduced to basic cursive, students shall participate in daily journaling for the first 3-5 minutes of class, every class day, to hone this skill. As lectures are provided throughout the course, students will be provided a “virtual tour” of what is being covered via AI powered VR and will then be required to take an academic test and / or complete a small writing assignment or small group research activity for evaluation purposes. The class will culminate with a small group research activity as the final.

Instructional Strategies and Learning Activities

Name of Learning Activity: Teaching cursive
Name of Instructional Strategy: Primary source literacy
Name of Learning Activity: Exploring historical events and places via VR
Name of Instructional Strategy: Primary sources
Name of Learning Activity: Group activities
Name of Instructional Strategy: Collaborative learning
Name of Learning Activity: In class discussions, to include discussions held with AI
Name of Instructional Strategy: Discussions

Resources and Materials

Resources and Materials: Textbooks, a VR set up for each student, dedicated AI, access to the school’s computer lab
Rationale: This class utilizes emerging technology to aid with and augment classroom learning. AI assistance will help the teacher adjust lessons on the fly and help with keeping students engaged in their virtual lessons while also making the evaluation of students more efficient. Textbooks and traditional learning resources will provide non-VR lecture capability which will lead into the VR portion of the lesson and also ensure the class is not stalled due to unforeseen equipment or software malfunctions

Technology

General computer technology, VR, and AI.
This technology will be used to make the subject matter more interactive and immersive.
The technology will improve the rate at which lessons and activities can be adjusted to fit the classes’ level of learning. It will also improve the speed and efficiency of evaluating students while making the topic of social studies more interactive and fun for students.
As students are evaluated in class their test scores and work performance will be compared to those of prior classes, on a quarterly basis. The average growth or degradation in performance between classes and associated assignments will be used to determine the effectiveness of the incorporation of these emerging technologies within the classroom.

Learner Diversity

Modifications to Content: The information students learn or the ways students access the information: If students are struggling with the material presented in class, then they will be afforded the opportunity to receive tutelage. The in-class AI will be the primary tutor as it will be available 24/7 to the student. The teacher will provide tutoring hours after school, to render additional tutelage to students that need it. Students that are performing exceptionally well will be recommended for higher grade work. Approval authority to transfer a student to a higher-level class, rests with school administration and the students’ parents.
Modifications to Process: How students take in and make sense of the content: Class lessons will shift to easier or harder topics of consideration. The expected level of analysis presented or displayed the students will adjust appropriately. Students that struggle heavily with course content should be recommended for a similar course at a lower grade-level until they can meet minimum expected standards.
Modifications to the Product: How students show what they know, understand, and can do: The expected level of research and analysis may increase or decrease. Academic tests will have their difficulty shifted and expected quality of work will shift as well.
Modifications to the Classroom Environment: The climate or tone of the classroom. In general, lessons in the class will be adjusted based on the classes’ average performance. There will never be two or more separate standards of performance for the same class. See “Modifications to Content” and “Modifications to Process” bullets for more details.
Cultural Considerations: If a student has a cultural or religious requirement that interferes with the class then they will be recommended for transfer to a private institution that takes such considerations into account.
Language Learner Considerations: If a student has a language learning bearer then they will be recommended for transfer to an institution that teaches in a language that the student understands or to an institution with appropriately trained staff to handle the situation.

Classroom Management

Students will be provided with a lecture that will then be tied into a VR element. In some cases, the lecture could be provided alongside the VR element to provide a more immersive visual aid. In some cases, writing cursive for one, students will interact with the AI as though it were the teacher as it instructs the student on how to perform certain tasks.

Follow-up to Today’s Lesson

At the end of each class period, there will be a brief period where students will be questioned on the days content and / or back brief the teacher on what was taught.
If this method of teaching social studies proves beneficial then small adjustments, such as a variation in activities or entirely new activities, should be added or made for long term assessment. With academically beneficial adjustments being kept and the not so beneficial ones being removed. Students will be surveyed at the end of the class for their input as well.

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