Author: Debra Conover, Debbie Robbins
 Based on unit by: Debra Conover
 Date Created: 6/17/2005 1:36:07 PM EST
 
What is Speed?
VITAL INFORMATION
Subject(s):
Mathematics, Science, Technology

Grade/Level:
8

Time Required:
2 class periods

Objective(s):
The purpose of this unit is to introduce the students to VRML, calculate the average speed with an activity, manipulate excel, and predict varying degrees and compare to real world situations.

Summary:
This unit is designed to actively engage students in learing about speed, and how to calculate the average speed using microsoft excel. The unit is also designed to analyze the results and use to make further predictions.

IMPLEMENTATION
Learning Activities:
1. What is Speed? Part 2
 Based on activities guided by Debbie Conover
 
2. What is Speed? Part IA
 
 
3. VRML Basics (Ball and Ramp)
 


Resources and Unit Handouts:
  • Projector set up for viewing power point.
  • Technology resources:
    Excel, Netscape
  • Materials and resources:
    Studentd Data Sheet
    calculators
    protractors
    projector
    Science Spectrum 9 (textbook)Chapter 7.1
  • Students Familiarity with Software Tool:
    Students need not have prior knowledge to manipulate excel.


STANDARDS
Standards compiled from learning activities:
International- Intl. Technology Education Association: Standards for Technology Literacy
• Category Technology and Society
• Standard 5Students will develop an understanding of the effects of technology on the environment.
• Grade Range 6-8
 Benchmark ETechnologies can be used to repair damage caused by natural disasters and to break down waste from the use of various products and systems.
New building technologies and landscaping techniques can be used to reduce the effects of earthquakes and major storms. In addition, innovative ways of reducing waste production can aid in repairing the environment. For example, the use of bacteria in sewage treatment helps to clean human waste prior to being released into rivers and lakes.

WV- West Virginia Content Standards and Objectives
• Subject Math
• Grade or Course Eighth Grade
• Standard Standard 2: Algebra (MA.S.2)
Students will:
 Detail demonstrate understanding of patterns, relations, and functions;
 Detail represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols;
 Detail use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative relationships; and
 Detail analyze change in various contexts through communication, representation, reasoning and proof, problem solving, and making connections within and beyond the field of mathematics.
 Objective MA.8.2.5 apply algebraic equations and expressions to solve application problems.
 Objective MA.8.2.10 represent and solve real world problems appropriate for 8th grade using multiple strategies.
• Subject Science
• Grade or Course Eighth Grade
• Standard Standard 4: Science Subject Matter/Concepts (SC.S.4)
Students will:
 Detail demonstrate knowledge, understanding and applications of scientific facts, concepts, principles, theories and models as delineated in the objectives;
 Detail demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships among physics, chemistry, biology and the earth and space sciences; and
 Detail apply knowledge, understanding and skills of science subject matter/concepts to daily life experiences.
 Objective SC.8.4.22 graph and interpret the relationships (e.g., distance versus time, speed versus time, acceleration versus time).
• Subject Technology
• Grade or Course Eighth Grade
• Standard Standard 1: Basic Operations and Concepts (TEC.S.1)
Students will:
 Detail demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems; and
 Detail demonstrate proficiency in the use of technology.
• Standard Standard 3: Technology Productivity Tools (TEC.S.3)
Students will:
 Detail use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity; and
 Detail use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, preparing publications, and producing other creative works.
 Objective TEC.8.3.1 integrate two or more productivity tools into a document including, but not limited to tables, charts, graphs, inserting hyperlinks, and graphics.
 Objective TEC.8.3.2 use spreadsheets to explore various formulas, functions and relationships.
• Standard Standard 4: Technology Communication Tools (TEC.S.4)
Students will:
 Detail use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences; and
 Detail use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.
• Standard Standard 5: Technology Research Tools (TEC.S.5)
Students will:
 Detail evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
• Standard Standard 6: Technology Problem-solving and Decision-making Tools (TEC.S.6)
Students will:
 Detail employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world.

USA- ISTE: National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for All Teachers
copyright © 2000, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), 800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 541.302.3777 (Int’l), iste@iste.org, www.iste.org. All rights reserved. For more information about the NETS Project, contact Lajeane Thomas, Director, NETS Project, 318.257.3923, lthomas@latech.edu. Reprint permission does not constitute an endorsement by ISTE or the NETS Project.
• Standard ITechnology Operations and Concepts
Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts.
 Performance Indicator Ademonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology (as described in the ISTE National Education Technology Standards for Students).
 Performance Indicator BDemonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.
• Standard IIITeaching, Learning, and the Curriculum.
Teachers implement curriculum plans, that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning.
 Performance Indicator BUse technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
 Performance Indicator CApply technology to develop students’ higher order skills and creativity.
• Standard IVAssessment and Evaluation.
Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies.
 Performance Indicator BUse technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.

USA- ISTE: Profiles for Technology Literate Students (includes NETS for Students)
• Grade Grades 6-8

Numbers in parentheses following each performance indicator refer to the standards category to which the performance is linked. The categories are:
1. Basic operations and concepts
2. Social, ethical, and human issues
3. Technology productivity tools
4. Technology communications tools
5. Technology research tools
6. Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools

Reprinted from National Educational Technology Standards for Students - Connecting Curriculum and Technology, copyright © 2000, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), 800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 541.302.3777 (Int’l), iste@iste.org, www.iste.org. All rights reserved. For more information about the NETS Project, contact Lajeane Thomas, Director, NETS Project, 318.257.3923, lthomas@latech.edu. Reprint permission does not constitute an endorsement by ISTE or the NETS Project.

 Performance Objective 3Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss consequences of misuse. (2)
 Performance Objective 4Use content-specific tools, software, and simulations (e.g., environmental probes, graphing calculators, exploratory environments, Web tools) to support learning and research. (3, 5)
 Performance Objective 5Apply productivity/multimedia tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, group collaboration, and learning throughout the curriculum. (3, 6)
 Performance Objective 6Design, develop, publish, and present products (e.g., Web pages, videotapes) using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts to audiences inside and outside the classroom. (4, 5, 6)
 Performance Objective 7Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using telecommunications and collaborative tools to investigate curriculum-related problems, issues, and information, and to develop solutions or products for audiences inside and outside the classroom. (4, 5)
 Performance Objective 8Select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve problems. (5, 6)
 Performance Objective 9Demonstrate an understanding of concepts underlying hardware, software, and connectivity, and of practical applications to learning and problem solving. (1, 6)

USA- NCTM (Nat. Council of Teachers of Mathematics): Principles & Standards for School Mathematics
• Area Standards
• Level Grades 6–8
• Topic Algebra
• Instructional program descriptor Represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols
 Expectation develop an initial conceptual understanding of different uses of variables;
 Expectation explore relationships between symbolic expressions and graphs of lines, paying particular attention to the meaning of intercept and slope;
 Expectation recognize and generate equivalent forms for simple algebraic expressions and solve linear equations.

USA- National Science Education Standards
• Chapter Chapter 6 Science Content Standards
• Grade Level 5-8
• Content Standard AScience as Inquiry: As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop
• Ability/ Concept Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
 Detail IDENTIFY QUESTIONS THAT CAN BE ANSWERED THROUGH SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS. Students should develop the ability to refine and refocus broad and ill-defined questions. An important aspect of this ability consists of students' ability to clarify questions and inquiries and direct them toward objects and phenomena that can be described, explained, or predicted by scientific investigations. Students should develop the ability to identify their questions with scientific ideas, concepts, and quantitative relationships that guide investigation.
 Detail USE APPROPRIATE TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES TO GATHER, ANALYZE, AND INTERPRET DATA. The use of tools and techniques, including mathematics, will be guided by the question asked and the investigations students design. The use of computers for the collection, summary, and display of evidence is part of this standard. Students should be able to access, gather, store, retrieve, and organize data, using hardware and software designed for these purposes.
 Detail USE MATHEMATICS IN ALL ASPECTS OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY. Mathematics is essential to asking and answering questions about the natural world. Mathematics can be used to ask questions; to gather, organize, and present data; and to structure convincing explanations.
• Content Standard BPhysical Science: As a result of their activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of
• Ability/ Concept Motions and forces
 Detail The motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, and speed. That motion can be measured and represented on a graph.[
 Detail An object that is not being subjected to a force will continue to move at a constant speed and in a straight line.

USA- ITEA/CTTE/NCATE Curriculum Standards for Initial Programs in Technology Teacher Education
• Standard 1 THE NATURE OF TECHNOLOGY
Technology teacher education program candidates develop an understanding of the nature of technology within the context of the Designed World.
• Area Performance Indicators:
 Indicator Apply the concepts and principles of technology when teaching technology in the classroom and laboratory.
• Standard 4 ABILITIES FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD
Technology teacher education program candidates develop abilities for a technological world within the contexts of the Designed World.
• Area Performance Indicators:
 Indicator Operate a technological device and/or system.
• Standard 7 INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
Technology teacher education program candidates use a variety of effective teaching practices that enhance and extend learning of technology.
• Area Performance Indicators:
 Indicator Apply appropriate instructional technology materials, tools, equipment, and processes to enhance student learning about technology instruction.

USA- 21st Century Learning Skills & ICT Literacy
• Area Information and communication technology literacy
 Skill Thinking and problem-solving skills
 Skill Critical thinking and systems thinking
 Skill Problem identification, formulation, and solution