7th Grade Instructional Technology Research

Teach the basics of computer hardware and software while letting students explore what's inside the computer! This unit helps students explore and understand the basic components inside the computer. This is perfect for any technology class in upper elementary or middle school. All files provided are fully editable, allowing teachers to make modifications for differentiation or personalization if they choose.

A Microsoft PowerPoint presentation (fully editable) is included to introduce the topic to the class and can be used as a whole class presentation or provided to students to explore on their own. The first part of the assignment involves students identifying and defining the parts of the computer, using either MS PowerPoint or Google Slides to create a presentation. Next, students research specific computer hardware components and “build” two different computers, using either MS Excel or Google Sheets, and remaining within a given budget. A template in Excel that can also be opened in Sheets is provided. Teacher and student resources are included with instructions, sites for research and lesson extension ideas. A basic grading rubric for each project, is also included.

The projects can be completed individually, or students can work in pairs. These projects were created for grades 7-8 but could also be used with upper elementary students.

Materials Required

· Access to computers for each student (or small group)

· Internet access

· Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel OR Google Slides and Sheets

Project Duration (approximate, per topic)

· PowerPoint presentation: .5-1 (50 minute) class period

· Definitions – Student Presentation project: 1-2 (50 minute) class periods

· Research and “Build” Computers project: 2 (50 minute) class periods

Files Included with this Lesson

· Teacher & Student Notes and Resources

· Computer Components PowerPoint Presentation (editable)

· Student Definitions Presentation Project Expectations & Grading Rubric (editable)

· “Build a Computer” Project Student Expectations & Grading Rubric (editable)

· MS Excel Template for project – can be opened in Google Sheets (editable)

My 7th and 8th graders loved this project - particularly when they got to take apart and reassemble old computers that were donated to us at the end of the unit! I hope your students enjoy it as well.

This lesson is great for distance learning/remote learning. You can upload it to your school's learning management system (Google Classroom, Edmodo, Canvas, etc.) or share with students via Google Drive.

Related Products
⭐ Exploring Careers: Information Technology
⭐ History of Computers - Group Research & Presentation Project
⭐ Webquest Scavenger Hunt - History of Computers

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It's never too early to start thinking about college! This project based learning activity has students explore a college of their choice, research information about majors, classes, what life at college will be like and what it will cost and compile that data into Microsoft Word. Using that information, students create a poster to showcase their college of choice in a poster using either Microsoft Word or Google Docs that is suitable to print and display.

This lesson is great for distance learning/remote learning. You can upload it to your school's learning management system (Google Classroom, Edmodo, Canvas, etc.) or share with students via Google Drive.

Files Included:

• Teacher & Student Notes and Resources

• College Research Worksheet

• College Poster Project Instructions, Expectations and Grading Rubric

• College Poster Template (Microsoft Word /Google Docs)

• College Poster Project Example

A fun activity that gets kids thinking about their future!

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Creating a Timeline using Tiki-Toki utilizes the free Web 2.0 tool www.tiki-toki.com which allows students to create timelines online and then share their finished product. No download is required to use the product, making it easy for teachers who are not able to download software on classroom computers to still give their students a choice in learning.

In these lessons, students are provided with a quick tutorial, as well as links to other resources to help them with their projects. The tutorial is intended to help students get started with the program and then use the resources within the program to refine their creations.

Also included is a list of 10 easy project ideas to allow the teacher and student a choice in how to demonstrate knowledge of Tiki-Toki and the lesson content. Use one or let students choose from several! General project instructions and expectations, along with a grading rubric are also included.

This lesson is great for distance learning/remote learning. You can upload it to your school's learning management system (Google Classroom, Edmodo, Canvas, etc.) or share with students via Google Drive.

Files Included with this Lesson

• Teacher Notes and Resources

• Quick Getting Started Tutorial for Students

• Student Expectations, Project Instructions and Rubric

• List of 10 easy project ideas to choose from

Related Products
⭐ Creative Presentation Projects using Web 2.0 Tool Prezi
⭐ Create a Comic in the Web 2.0 Tool Storyboard That
⭐ Create a Video using Animoto

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Learning about Design: Elements of Art, Shapes & Color is a three-part lesson to give students an introduction to design. This is perfect for a technology class that focuses on web design or graphic design, or for an art class. The first lesson has students create a PowerPoint (or Google Slides presentation) to define the Seven Elements of Art in their own words and give picture examples of three areas of design for each. In the second lesson, students complete a short WebQuest (Internet Scavenger Hunt) to answer questions about how designers use shapes to convey a message. Finally, in the third lesson, students explore how designers use color by researching information on the Internet and completing a color chart. The project was created for grades 7-8 but could easily be adapted for older students.

This lesson is great for distance learning/remote learning. You can upload it to your school's learning management system (Google Classroom, Edmodo, Canvas, etc.) or share with students via Google Drive.

Files Included with this Lesson

• Teacher Notes and Resources

• Seven Elements of Art PowerPoint Project - Student Expectations & Rubric

• Seven Elements of Art Project Sample (as .pdf)

• How Designers Use Shapes WebQuest – Student Worksheet

• How Designers Use Shapes WebQuest – Teacher Answer Key

• How Designers Use Color Research Chart – Student Worksheet

• How Designers Us Color Research Chart – Teacher Answer Key

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