The curriculum states that students should be prepared to develop techniques and strategies for the acquisition of knowledge. In the process, fundamental skills in working with texts, materials and learning objects are to be practiced. The online research task is based on this foundation. As students come across numerous articles, posts, pictures, videos, tweets, etc., they need to be able to gain a brief overview of the content of a text, filter the most important information and combine different information from several materials. They must actively acquire knowledge by working independently, thoughtfully and in a goal-oriented manner; different Internet or news sites are used according to their own goals and needs. In particular, the ability to use media critically is trained by instructing the students to use reputable and reliable sources. Since they already have prior knowledge, the Guideline for online research is meant to reiterate the necessary aspects. Berufsschulen in particular are directly affected by technological and economic changes brought by digitization considering their direct preparation for the working sphere, which emphasizes the importance of the skills taught in the lesson.
Technology is becoming more advanced and is entering all areas of life, including the education system and teaching English a second or foreign language. As the daily use of online sources and media among adolescents has nearly doubled in the last ten years, from approximately 138 minutes in 2010 to 258 minutes in 2020, and continues to increase, it is essential to design English language teaching tasks more digitally oriented. Especially considering that English is the dominant language in media use alongside the respective native language.
However, it is necessary to use digital media in the classroom not only as a means of including them, such as merely showing a video; it is crucial to use them in meaningful and effective ways that allow students to develop relevant subject-specific and cross-curricular competences. Traditional principles of English language teaching, e.g. action orientation, learner orientation, authentic communication and diversity of authentic texts, or the ability to critically use media are still as relevant, although new literacies have to be involved as well. This includes visual texts and communication and digital competences with a focus on language and forms of expression in digital communication.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Learner Group and Initial Situation
- Didactic Analysis
- Methodological Considerations
- Lesson Plan
- Learning Goals
- Tabular Format
- Conclusion
- Works Cited
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This lesson aims to provide a comprehensive overview of climate change and environmental issues through the use of digital media for online research. The objective is to develop students’ competence in using adequate online sources and combining information from different resources. The lesson focuses on the conflict between arguments regarding man-made climate change, its effects, and potential solutions.
- The impact of climate change on animals, housing, and health
- The use of digital media for online research in English language teaching
- Developing critical media competence and evaluating sources
- The role of digital media in students’ everyday lives and education
- The importance of reliable sources in online research
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction highlights the growing importance of digital media in English language teaching, especially considering the increased use of online sources among adolescents. It emphasizes the need for meaningful and effective use of digital media to develop subject-specific and cross-curricular competences.
The chapter "Learner Group and Initial Situation" provides a detailed overview of the student group, their language level, and the available technological resources. It describes the students' prior knowledge about climate change and online research, highlighting their familiarity with the topic and the potential for engaging in the lesson activities.
The "Didactic Analysis" section delves into the rationale for choosing climate change as the lesson topic, aligning it with the curriculum requirements and emphasizing the importance of current social developments. The chapter also discusses the lesson's objective to develop students’ critical thinking skills and competence in using online resources responsibly.
The lesson begins with a discussion of two cartoons related to environmental protection, leading to a video about Donald Trump's skepticism towards climate change. This sets the stage for the WebQuest activity, where students actively research and collect arguments for and against man-made climate change. The chapter also explores the impact of climate change on animals, particularly polar bears, and examines the number of natural disasters experienced in the United States in 2020.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The keywords and focus topics of this text include climate change, digital media, online research, critical media competence, source evaluation, environmental issues, English language teaching, and WebQuest.
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- Stefanie Gerrits (Author), 2022, Understanding the Effects of Climate Change and Environmental Issues by Using Online Research Methods (12th grade, high school), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1294338