To begin this unit, we look at various German-speaking inventors, scientists, and innovators, and their inventions and discoveries. Students will first write what they consider to be the most significant scientific/technological achievements, particularly in recent years. They will then engage in interactive writing in which they respond to each other’s written statements, and we will have a discussion as a class about what the most important scientific/technological advancements are.
We will also look at German inventors and inventions from the past by having students match Germans with a picture of their invention or discovery on the board. They should also put them in chronological order, and we will have a discussion about why they chose that order. Students will then listen to news reports on the Internet about scientific advances in Germany, and with that they will try to predict the direction of scientific advances in the future.
Students will then choose a German invention, discovery, or innovation, and create a presentation on it for the class, being sure to include all the advantages, disadvantages, and consequences of the discovery.
One of the greatest shifts in the way people communicate, work, and learn is the shift toward the use of computers and other smart technologies. However, in addition to the many advantages this presents, there are also many disadvantages. Students will create a graphic organizer outlining the consequences, both good and bad, of various types of modern technologies, such as computers, cell phones and smart phones, and the Internet. We will also read German articles pertaining to the development of computers, particularly any new or current developments, and those made by Germans. Based on these articles and the graphic organizers, students will write an editorial about the advantages and disadvantages of smart technologies.
As we work on the social impacts section of this unit, students will be required to make daily diary entries about what kinds of technology they used that day, for how long and to what extent, and how it impacted anything social. This diary will be collected at the end of the unit. Students will also give a presentation that sums up their findings from keeping a diary.
In addition to the diary, students will explore social impacts of technology by predicting not only what kinds of technology may soon emerge, but also the social impacts that will undoubtedly accompany them. To do this, students will brainstorm as a class and discuss what advancements and inventions are the most likely for the future. Then, each student will choose a likely advancement or invention, and will write a letter of warning (or encouragement!) from the future explaining the social impacts of said advancement or invention.
We will also look at German inventors and inventions from the past by having students match Germans with a picture of their invention or discovery on the board. They should also put them in chronological order, and we will have a discussion about why they chose that order. Students will then listen to news reports on the Internet about scientific advances in Germany, and with that they will try to predict the direction of scientific advances in the future.
Students will then choose a German invention, discovery, or innovation, and create a presentation on it for the class, being sure to include all the advantages, disadvantages, and consequences of the discovery.
One of the greatest shifts in the way people communicate, work, and learn is the shift toward the use of computers and other smart technologies. However, in addition to the many advantages this presents, there are also many disadvantages. Students will create a graphic organizer outlining the consequences, both good and bad, of various types of modern technologies, such as computers, cell phones and smart phones, and the Internet. We will also read German articles pertaining to the development of computers, particularly any new or current developments, and those made by Germans. Based on these articles and the graphic organizers, students will write an editorial about the advantages and disadvantages of smart technologies.
As we work on the social impacts section of this unit, students will be required to make daily diary entries about what kinds of technology they used that day, for how long and to what extent, and how it impacted anything social. This diary will be collected at the end of the unit. Students will also give a presentation that sums up their findings from keeping a diary.
In addition to the diary, students will explore social impacts of technology by predicting not only what kinds of technology may soon emerge, but also the social impacts that will undoubtedly accompany them. To do this, students will brainstorm as a class and discuss what advancements and inventions are the most likely for the future. Then, each student will choose a likely advancement or invention, and will write a letter of warning (or encouragement!) from the future explaining the social impacts of said advancement or invention.