NPR's "All Things Considered" airs its series called "All Tech Considered" which explores the sometimes daunting—always-changing—world of technology. If you are baffled by your cell phone, or your students are wondering what their kids mean when they say they are tweeting on Twitter, All Tech Considered explores many of these areas and could be of help. Try sending your students here to look up information that interests them. Not all stories have an audio component, so look for ones that have "Listen to the Story" or the word "podcast." Podcasts of many of the archived shows are downloadable and the segments are usually under 10 minutes.
Preparation
Preview the current titles/topics. If it is not timely or appropriate, view the archives .
Prepare questions.
Prepare an online or paper quiz to check comprehension.
Assign topics to students (alone, in pairs or groups) to report back to class.
How-To
Introduce the topic.
Assign personal listening/reading.
Use as a springboard to discussion.
Teacher Tips
Remind the students that they can listen to the articles, read the article, or enlarge the articles.
Select articles for students of all reading levels to listen to.
In pairs have students comment on what they learned and write a summary sentence.
More Ways
Students can send the articles to others to practice these online skills.
Begin the lesson by discussing with learners their favorite technologies and gadgets. Write their responses on the whiteboard.
Introduction
Explain to learners that they will be exploring the website called "All Tech Considered" by NPR. Discuss what technology considerations means and why its essential to think critically about the role of Technology in our lives.
Presentation
Engagement Enhancement
Navigate to the Website: Guide learners on how to get to the website.Demonstrate the site, pointing out different sections and articles. Point out that some articles can be read to them. Encourage them to explore various articles to be read and take notes.
Have learners pair up and explore the site. Choose an article based on their interestes. Read the article out loud to each other or have it read to them. Allow 15-20 minutes to read the article and take notes on main ideas.
As pairs, discuss the main points and what they find interesting.
As a class, gather and discuss. Have each pair share one thing they found thought-provoking. Facilitate the conversation about the impact of technology of society.
Practice
Engagement Enhancement
Select one of the articles the learners discussed. Present a scenario related to technology and ask the learners to discuss in small groups how they would deal with the situation. Encourage them to consider different perspectives and weigh the pros and cons.
Gather the class and discuss together with each group presenting their thinking.
Evaluation
Enhancement Extension
Have learners write a brief reflection on what they have learned from the website exploration and critical thinking activity. Ask them to relate the information to their own lives. Consider what advancements are taking place in technology and how these advancements will implact their lives.
Application
Engagement Enhancement Extension
Encourage learners to explore more articles on "All Tech Considered" at home and share interesting findings with the class. Learners can also write a summary of what they read about.
Learners share their new readings with the class. In pairs extent the discussion how learners view these advancements, and what impact will they have on their lives. Do they have concerns? Discuss pros and cons. Gather as a class and extend the discussion
CCR Anchor 1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCR Anchor 2 - Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
CCR Anchor 4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
Writing
CCR Anchor 2 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
CCR Anchor 4 - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Speaking and Listening
CCR Anchor 1 - Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCR Anchor 2 - Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
CCR Anchor 4 - Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
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npr, read and listen, reading comprehension, silent reading, technology, all tech considered, computer assisted reading, high interest reading, listening practice
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ChatGPT was used to assist generating this lesson plan
