The future meets our past (LS-GR-31)
Context
In this learning scenario, we tried to get a connection between the advantages of technology. The main task of this scenario was to discuss technology’s implementations in different aspects, like cultural heritage (i.e. monuments). Basing on this, the students (3rd Grade of Senior High School) sought, mentioned and discussed the technology’s role. This means that they thought about the advantages and disadvantages of its usage, focusing on the benefits. For this task, we made internet navigation on the Europeana’s platform. The task was to see how we can use technology for learning about our past.
The teaching process: reflection and group activities
In the 1st teaching hour, students watched the video about technology’s implements in the classroom projector. As a next step, they answered the worksheet I gave them and they discussed with me their answers. I divided them into groups (4-5 st.) for the topics; laser, renewable sources of energy, astronomy, computer, telecommunication, robotics. I suggested them to read some passages of the Greek school book for more information; Our horizons are widening & Opinions about science. In each group, each student had a role; a team secretary, a presenter and the other members read to the group the sources. They discussed and they got information from the texts. They kept notes about the usage of technology in these specific aspects of science.
In the 2nd teaching hour, students started working on their subject in groups. The groups’ presenters showed their results (1,2) to the whole class. The groups’ secretaries wrote these ideas on the board. As homework, each group would add the group’s notes on a mind map.
Technology: a link in between future and past
In the 3rd teaching hour, we read a text from students’ book. The next step was that students and I discussed the advantages of technology in everyday life and especially, on cultural heritage. Using the video projector, we sought in Europeana’s platform. We saw examples of monuments from different museums in the world; 1) Ogham Stones, 2) Minoan inscriptions on Libation Vessels, 3) Catalogue of the Greek and Etruscan Vases in the British Museum. As a next step, I gave them a worksheet to complete. In the end, two students wrote on the board the benefits and the disadvantages of technology usage. Except that, they wrote words that are related to technology. As homework, they re-completed the previous mind map and to write “what technology means to them” on an “AnswerGarden” post.
In the next lesson, I shared the completed mind map and the AnswerGarden post with my students. I gave students a worksheet for self-assessment. They completed it and we discussed what was new for them for the benefits of technology.
Conclusion
As a conclusion, we can say that students noticed that Europeana platform is a good example of the usage of technology. It helps in the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage. According to them, everyone who searches about History, Geography, etc. can get information from an official platform. As they mentioned, they could not collect this information easily in another case, because of the distance of the sources.
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