Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits

Evaluation

Did you find lots of resources that Mrs. Smith could use to enhance her lesson? We've matched the teacher's current strategies to technology enhanced strategies and included notes about requirements for implementation.

Current Activity
Technology Enhanced Activity
Hardware/Software Requirements
Teacher will begin class by presenting students with a list of names from the novel including Hester Prynne, Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, and Pearl. On a graphic organizer, students will list the names, write a brief description of what they think of when they hear the name, and then write down what they know about that particular character in the book. In the last column, they will try to identify a relationship between the name of the character and his or her function in the book.

Students will complete the graphic organizer on laptops computers. When the class shares its findings, the teacher can use a projector as she completes the organizer.

Students will visit the Hawthorne in Salem website and read through the passages about Pearl, taking time to view the images included.

Laptops or computers for groups of students. Projector and computer for teacher. Internet access.
The teacher will review the concept of "motif" or recurring devices used by an author to extend the meaning of the narrative. Use Inspiration to brainstorm about the different motifs. Then have groups of students develop a particular section of the web. They could choose appropriate graphics that illustrate the motifs. Each section will be joined back together in Inspiration. Laptops or computers for groups of students. Projector and computer for teacher. Internet access. Inspiration software.
In small groups, the students will read descriptions of the various settings of the novel and explain how they are similar and different. They will discuss how the contrasts between these settings help us understand the novel.

As students search for passages to support their ideas, the teacher will provide them with the digital version of the novel so they can use the Find feature to skim quickly. They can then copy and paste the passages into a blank word processing document to use as they work later.

At the Hawthorne in Salem website, students will read the passages in the section on Good and Evil and discuss the relationship of Satan to the forest.

Laptops or computers for groups of students. Projector and computer for teacher. Internet access. Word processing software.
Finally, students will create a list of actions in the book that take place during the day and then a list of actions that take place at night. What do theses activities have in common? Students will find at least one passage that uses the contrast of light and dark in its description and analyze how the images contribute to the passage. The teacher will provide students with digital copies of several passages and allow them time to read them. She will show them how to use the Comments tool in the word processor to highlight and write notes about the passage. She will then use the projector to compile these comments into one document and the class will talk about what the passages had in common. Laptops or computers for groups of students. Projector and computer for teacher. Internet access. Word processing software.

You can review some ideas for assessment by clicking here.

Integration Project-Based Learning: Technology could be used to support the kinds of strategies with which the teacher is already comfortable. Technology, however, can also be used to change the kinds of strategies teachers use. For instance, can the teacher create a project-based unit around Hawthorne's novel? This unit would incorporate the current lesson objective but also include other objectives. Below are several sites that can help you get started with project-based learning on the web.

Other Resources: As we developed this webquest, we discovered a variety of web-based resources related to The Scarlet Letter. You can look at some of the other resources we found by clicking here.

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Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits

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