UNIT OF INQUIRY-TECHNOLOGY

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                                                                                        January 2014

Our 4th Unit of Inquiry is titled ‘Technology’ under the transdisciplinary theme of “How the World Works”. In this unit, students will study how advanced and emerging technology has an impact on society. Technology is a way of accomplishing a task using technical processes, methods, or knowledge. Students will investigate modern technological advances, the effects of technology in our lives, and the application of robotics and artificial intelligence. Robotics is the design, building, and operation of robots to move automatically. Artificial intelligence is the ability of a machine to copy intelligent human behavior.

Students will identify different functions of technology and explain how some of them work, such as electromagnetic spectrum, frequency modulation, binary numbers, chromatography and animations. They will research how some of the technological functions have developed over time and then evaluate the pros and cons of technology. Additionally, they will apply their knowledge and understanding to comprehend the cutting edge technology of the modern day, including robotics and artificial intelligence.    

Students will have an opportunity to take field trips, as well as listen to guest speakers’ talk about the role of technology in our lives. Students will collate data and present it. Also, they will create models about different types of technology and highlight the application of robotics and artificial intelligence in the world. The students will have many opportunities to continue to develop transdisciplinary skills. Further details of the unit are mentioned below:

Central Idea:                                                                            

Advanced and emerging technology has an impact on society.    

 Key Concepts:

Responsibility       (Pros and cons of technology)                                                                                        Function                (Robotics, artificial intelligence, animations)                                                         Connection           (How technology is used in daily life)                                                                                    

                                               

Lines of Inquiry:                                                                    

• ·         Modern technological advances
• ·         Impact of technology in our lives
• ·         Application of robotics and artificial intelligence

We look forward to your continued support and cooperation.

Warm Regards,

Mubeen Safura

Form Tutors, Grade 6 A and 6 K

Resources:

Websites:

·         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_Intelligence_and_Robotics_Society-has information regarding the application of robotics and artificial intelligence on today’s world.

·         http://web.mit.edu/museum/exhibitions/robots.html- Museum of robots

·         http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-tech-gadgets/5-scary-technologies.htm - The way the gadgets work and impact the lives of people.

·         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology - All about technology

·         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coding - All about coding things

·         http://www.cracked.com/article_16973_11-modern-technologies-that-are-way-older-than-you-think.html- The different way things work.

·         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code- QR coding

·         http://www.techradar.com/ - News about technology

·         http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2011/03/29/top-40-best-technology-websites-2011/ - All about      technology

·         http://101bestwebsites.com/category/all/topic/technology/- websites to learn about the modern advancements in technology

IPad Apps on technology:

·   http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/top-230-best-ipad-apps-2013-681998

                                             Loads of IPad Apps for using technology in our day to day lives.

Books:

·   Teaching technology-Frank Banks

·   You are Stardust-Elin Kelsey

·   This Explains Every Thing- John BorckMan

·   http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/technology-website for books

January 12,2012

Students inquired about the different technology used in school campus by conducting  a school tour survey.

January 23,2014

Students completed Pre-Assessment the Central idea: A day without technology in the world.
Students used a thinking routine:Think,Puzzle and Explore to understand the use of modern technology used in the world using Newspaper  articles.

January 27,2014

Students watched videos on the advanced technology and used the thinking routine CONNECT,Extend and Challenge to make notes of their observations.

January 28,2010

SKYPE session with students in Srilanka to know about technology they

use.

February 4,2014

Socratic Seminar on Impact of Technology:It helps students to communicate well ,promotes deep thinking and enhances questioning skills.

February 14,2014
Field trip to a Biscuit factory-Anand Food Products,Saidabad,Hyderabad and Big Bazaar,Santosh Nagar,Hyderabad to inquire into teh use of technology and it's impact on society.

February 21,2014

Field trip to NRSC,ISRO,Balanagar to learn about the impact of Space technology on society.

February 28,2014

Science day celebration: Presentation by 6 K on impact of technology