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Digital Learning Experience
The purpose of this Digital Learning Experience (DLE) is to give middle school students (grades 6-8) the opportunity to re-examine life in Colonial America and to visually illustrate improving Colonial life based on a modern perspective.
Students should keep in mind that they cannot use modern conveniences in their Colonial life. However, they can examine modern lifestyle routines and can apply these routines to their Colonial life. Furthermore, students should BE SENSITIVE regarding the completion of tasks in the past (i.e. slavery) and should learn from these events without repeating them in their own modern reconstruction of Colonial life.
If a student chose to employee individuals to help them be successful, these employees should be treated as one would treat an employee in modern times. This treatment includes following modern labor laws and employee benefits. Furthermore, students should only engage in LEGAL activities in their Colonial life and should seek to be good citizens. Any behavior less than this IS NOT acceptable. This will be reflected in the students grade and disciplinary action will be considered.
ARE YOU READY TO RE-CREATE YOUR COLONIAL LIFE?
Students should keep in mind that they cannot use modern conveniences in their Colonial life. However, they can examine modern lifestyle routines and can apply these routines to their Colonial life. Furthermore, students should BE SENSITIVE regarding the completion of tasks in the past (i.e. slavery) and should learn from these events without repeating them in their own modern reconstruction of Colonial life.
If a student chose to employee individuals to help them be successful, these employees should be treated as one would treat an employee in modern times. This treatment includes following modern labor laws and employee benefits. Furthermore, students should only engage in LEGAL activities in their Colonial life and should seek to be good citizens. Any behavior less than this IS NOT acceptable. This will be reflected in the students grade and disciplinary action will be considered.
ARE YOU READY TO RE-CREATE YOUR COLONIAL LIFE?
Topic of Study
Students will learn about life in Colonial times and will begin to compare this time period with the time period in which they live. It is up to the discretion of the teacher if there will be classroom discussion about the differences between Colonial life and modern times. Classroom discussion may help the students to brainstorm ideas about their own project.
NJ Standard
6.1 U.S. History: America in the World All students will acquire the knowledge and skills to think analytically about how past and present interactions of people, cultures, and the environment shape the American heritage. Such knowledge and skills enable students to make informed decisions that reflect fundamental rights and core democratic values as productive citizens in local, national, and global communities.
Learning Goals
The learning goals is for student to:
- Gain a better understanding of Colonial life.
- Appreciate modern conveniences.
- Creatively improve Colonial life using modern inventiveness while keeping the situations of time period authentic.
- Do all of this while integrating technology in a fun and creative way!
Suggested Pacing
Students should plan on spending four to six hours reviewing material before working on the DLE. Based on the student's aptitude, technology skills and access to a computer, this project should take no more than ten hours and the timeline should be four to six weeks (at the discretion of the teacher.)
Concepts and Skills
Students will gain valuable experience and many skills that will help them be successful in high school and beyond. These skills include:
- Goal setting
- Time management
- Creative writing
- Resourcefulness, inventiveness, and creative thinking
- Technology integration
- Project planning
Project Targets
There are four major project targets:
- Reading the project requirements.
- Watching the videos, participating in the Web 2.0 activities and examining the links which contain additional content.
- Planning the project (and seeking teacher opinion or guidance when necessary).
- Completing the project ON TIME with HIGH QUALITY.