Tech Integration Project
Lesson Accelerator: Project Overview

Make My Day
Software Type: Graphic Organizer
The example project created in this Lesson Accelerator addresses NETS Performance Indicators for middle grades as used in a(n) Language Arts curriculum. It could also be used with older learners or adapted for lower grades. See the section on Extending and Adapting at the bottom of this page for ideas on how to use this same project for different subjects, grades, and skill levels.
Project Launchers
Lesson Accelerator Project Launcher pages contain video tutorials that show you, step-by-step, how to create this project using specific software applications, as well as a movie showing you what the finished project looks like. They also provide a download of all the example files used in the project, so you can recreate it.
When you've reviewed all the information on this page and would like to go to a Project Launcher, click the application name below that corresponds to the one you'd like to use for the project.
Go to: Inspiration 8 (Mac) - Project Launcher
Go to: Inspiration 8 (PC) - Project Launcher
Description
This project uses graphic organizing software to create a list of tasks and activities that need to be completed. The final diagram could be thought of as a visual "To Do" list. Students will begin by adding symbols that represent chores and/or activities to their diagram. They'll learn how to use different symbols from the graphic library to represent their ideas, and they'll also learn how to connect symbols so that the order of operations or task hierarchy are visually demonstrated.

The example project described in the tutorial movies creates a list of personal activities that will be happening on a Saturday. However, the same concepts can be applied toward creating a To Do list for school-related events, such as daily tasks the student needs to accomplish, or for creating a list of tasks that need to be done in order to reach a specified goal, such as researching and writing a paper, or completing a class project.
Goals
To provide students with the opportunity to use an electronic tool for capturing and organizing their ideas visually.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
  • Create a new diagram, using graphic organizing software.
  • Add connected and unconnected ideas to their diagram.
  • Use graphic symbols to represent their ideas.
  • Manipulate the order and placement of symbols and links between symbols.
  • Preview and print their diagram.
Preparation and Skill Mastery
Students should have mastered basic computer skills, such as opening and saving documents, and using input devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or tablet. If students will be entering their own activities and/or ideas into their diagram, it would be helpful if they understand and have practiced brainstorming skills before sitting down at the computer. A worksheet has been included in the downloadable resource packet that might prove useful for this exercise.
Materials
  • A computer with graphic organizing software installed
  • A copy of the Suggested Ideas list, found in the Student Materials section of this document, if students will not be coming up with their own list of activities/ideas for their diagram
  • Access to a printer for printing their final diagram (optional)
Task List
The tasks to be completed for this project include:
  • Creating a new graphic organizer diagram.
  • Finding and using symbols that represent their tasks and activities.
  • Ordering symbols and links to visually represent order of operations.
  • Previewing (and printing) the final diagram.
Assessment
Assessment can be based on the following:
  • Was the student able to demonstrate mastery of the basic tools within the graphic organizing application to add ideas to their diagram?
  • Was the student able to replace the default symbols with graphic symbols from the symbol libraries?
  • Was the student able to manipulate the position and linking of symbols to visually represent the order in which events should happen, or how different activities relate to one another?
Extending or Adapting
Here are some possible ways that this lesson plan might be extended or adapted for different timeframes, grade levels, and skill/ability levels:
  • This project can be easily adapted to any personal or school-related subject area. For example, if students have a big science project to complete, they could create a diagram of the tasks and activities that need to occur in order to finish their project on time.
  • Students in younger grades, low-level readers, or ESL students may find that representing their ideas with appropriate graphic symbols is easier than using text.
  • The complexity of the diagram can depend entirely on what the instructor directs students to do and the amount of class time available for completing this project.