Overview
This activity is designed as a brief virtual field trip to expose fifth grade students to a few highlights of Nepal geography and culture. It can easily be adapted for use by other age groups or families of school-aged children. It is not meant to be a complete unit on all aspects of Nepal, but rather to whet student appetite and arouse interest.
Students can use the worksheet below to answer 8 questions, or they may record their answers in their travel journal. Click the image below for the Google Docs version. The answer key for assessment can be found here.
Students can use the worksheet below to answer 8 questions, or they may record their answers in their travel journal. Click the image below for the Google Docs version. The answer key for assessment can be found here.
Teacher Development Training
Click here for a lesson plan that uses this virtual field trip to teach Web 2.0 tools to other educators
Web 2.0 Integration Ideas
This learning activity is perfect for incorporating Web 2.0 tools to enhance student experience. Below are three possible tools that could be incorporated into this lesson depending on the which direction the educator wants to take it:
ePals
Touted on its website as "the world's largest K-12 social learning network," ePals connects classrooms around the world in a safe environment. Teachers can choose from various projects through National Geographic and the Smithsonian or from those submitted by members. It is a great way for students to collaborate globally within a protected environment.
Formative assessment tool idea: students can represent their research in a presentation, graphic organizer, digital story, or by creating their own religious symbol.
- Holidays and Festivals around the World
- List of teachers and students interested in collaborating about Nepal
- Digital Storytelling
- Smithsonian activities that help students explore inventions and inventors
Formative assessment tool idea: students can represent their research in a presentation, graphic organizer, digital story, or by creating their own religious symbol.
Google Earth
Google Earth is free software that can be loaded onto either a computer or mobile device. It uses satellite images to provide 3D images of the world with many interactive tools. Educational activities and lesson plans in several content areas are found on their website.
Formative assessment tool idea: students can be observed directly in the computer lab as they engage in the chosen activity. If a project is created, a rubric or checklist can be used.
Formative assessment tool idea: students can be observed directly in the computer lab as they engage in the chosen activity. If a project is created, a rubric or checklist can be used.
National Geographic Education
National Geographic has created a new site for educators that integrates innovative technology with geo-literacy. NG's Xpeditions website, which houses content-area lesson plans and ideas, is being phased out and merged into NG Education. Click on these examples of lesson plans involving Nepal:
Formative assessment tool idea: students can write a letter to their pen pal comparing and contrasting their lives or an essay on what they have learned that includes rubric criteria.
Formative assessment tool idea: students can write a letter to their pen pal comparing and contrasting their lives or an essay on what they have learned that includes rubric criteria.
Additional resources
Nepal
CIA World Factbook: a wealth of information that includes maps, pictures of the flag, and a few photos
National Geographic Trekking Nepal: an excellent multimedia activity that takes students through Nepal as a mountaineer
Lonely Planet Nepal: overview of travel and site information
The Asia Foundation: a look at history of Nepal and issues such as human trafficking and polution
World Bank: a detailed look at data, projects, and research
Visit Nepal: information on activities and things to do in Nepal
National Geographic Trekking Nepal: an excellent multimedia activity that takes students through Nepal as a mountaineer
Lonely Planet Nepal: overview of travel and site information
The Asia Foundation: a look at history of Nepal and issues such as human trafficking and polution
World Bank: a detailed look at data, projects, and research
Visit Nepal: information on activities and things to do in Nepal
Technology Tools for Internet-based learning activities
C4LPT: Directory of learning and performance tools
cooltoolsforschools: a large collection of Web 2.0 tools broken down by purpose
Discovery Education: an organized look at various Web 2.0 tools, Internet safety, tech tips, and media literacy
Edudemic: 35 best Web 2.0 tools chosen by users
Thinkfinity: Verizon-sponsored site for lesson plans, student interactives, and various content-area multimedia activities
Digital Differentiation: Cool tools for 21st Century learners
Jackie Gerstein: Technology tools for the classroom
cooltoolsforschools: a large collection of Web 2.0 tools broken down by purpose
Discovery Education: an organized look at various Web 2.0 tools, Internet safety, tech tips, and media literacy
Edudemic: 35 best Web 2.0 tools chosen by users
Thinkfinity: Verizon-sponsored site for lesson plans, student interactives, and various content-area multimedia activities
Digital Differentiation: Cool tools for 21st Century learners
Jackie Gerstein: Technology tools for the classroom