Unit 2: Information and Presentation

Introduction

In this unit pupils use a variety of search mechanisms to explore the potential of ICT-based information sources. They research a topic and prepare a presentation for a specific audience. They use websites and CD-ROMs as their main sources.
They explore a range of types of information, such as statistics, legislation and advertising campaigns, and make judgements about the purpose of the information and the viewpoint of the organisation that produced it.
Pupils are given a framework for their research. They aim to answer specific questions and refine and organise their information as required.
The topic of the presentation is chosen by the teacher. It may be on any subject and could be controversial, but should be one that allows different interpretations and viewpoints.

This unit is expected to take approximately 5 hours.

Key Words

Animation
Bias
Boolean AND and OR
CD-Rom
electronic
Internet
multimedia
Presentation package
Preview
Search
Slide
Slide show
Transition

Assessment Criteria

3a Use ICT to save information and to find and use appropriate stored information, using simple questions.
3b Use ICT to produce and improve my work.
3c Share and exchange my ideas with others.

4a Understand how important it is to design questions which are clear and others can understand when you are collecting, searching and looking through information.
4b Look at my findings and show that I understand what they mean and I have questioned how reliable they are. I must show that I recognise that poor quality information gives unreliable results
4c Add to / amend (which means change or correct) and combine different forms of information from a variety of sources.
4d Use ICT to present information in different ways, taking account of the intended audience (the people who are supposed to look at the work).

5a Select the information needed for different purposes, check its accuracy and organise and prepare it in a form suitable for processing.
5b Use ICT to organise and present information in different forms and styles for specific purposes and audiences.

6a Develop and improve my work, using information from a range of sources.
6c Present my ideas in a variety of ways and demonstrate that I have a clear sense of audience.

7a Combine information from a variety of ICT -based and other sources for display and presentation to differing audiences.
7c Select and use suitable information systems, translating enquiries expressed in ordinary language into forms required by the system.

Suggested Resources

internet access
a variety of websites (suggestions can be found with activities for this unit)with appropriate information word-processing software
a presentation package including prepared templates so that pupils can combine their information quickly and effectively.
World Book

Activity 1: Information and Presentation

Lesson Objectives

Be aware that information can have a range of sources that may reflect different views and may be incorrect or biased.

Discuss sources outlined below (see teachers notes)
CD-ROMS
Internet
Talking to people
The Environmental Agency
Library
email
chat and conferencing

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of Search Techniques.

To look at various topics suitable for a presentation

Possible Starter and Plenary Examples

Starter Examples
starter_examples.doc - 20K - Microsoft Word document

Plenary Examples
plenary_examples.doc - 19K - Microsoft Word document

Teaching Notes

As a class discussion look at the various ways in which information can be communicated to an audience. eg websites on the internet, CD-ROMs, exchanging information with other people via e-mail.

brainstorm_worksheet.doc - 33K - Microsoft Word document

CD-ROMS (outdated information, searches more productive)
Internet ( up to date, reliability, bias, too big)
Talking to people (bias, opinion, primary source)
The Environmental Agency (Decision are determined by Government and funding)
Library (accessibility, availability of resources, factual, no opinion)
email, chat and conferencing (factual, bias, opinion) etc.

unit_2_advantages_and_disadvantages.doc - 21K - Microsoft Word document

Pupils can keep track of their progress through this unit by keeping a diary.

presentation_diary.doc - 22K - Microsoft Word document

Pupils should look at two different sources of information and decide on the usefulness of each. This worksheet should be used on the computer so that pupils can cut and paste their answers.

unit_2_searching_worksheet.doc - 22K - Microsoft Word document

Learning Outcomes

Identify at least two appropriate but different sources and the issues associated with each source

Activity 2

Lesson Objectives

To use different methods for searching within sources

To find information using contents, indexes and key words and to use the results to modify a search strategy

That information can have a range of sources that may reflect different views and may be incorrect or biased

To decide on topic (s) which will enable pupils to search for information relevant to their audience. (See Teachers notes)

Teachers Notes

A variety of topics are available to choose from.

unit_2_topic_worksheet.doc - 59K - Microsoft Word document

To prepare material for their presentation pupils can use a questionnaire to collect information about the topic they have chosen

unit_2_questionnaire.doc - 23K - Microsoft Word document

To help students research their topics a number of web links are available.

unit_2_web_sites.doc - 25K - Microsoft Word document

Discuss the differences.

Use World Book if available and any other suitable CD-Rom or Internet.
Searches using World Book Worksheet 2
Type in Pollution as the search draw students attention to the fact that too many items then go to "Search by Word" and add water as a part of the search process. This should then bring up items which are related to Pollution AND water.

unit_2_searches_using_world_book_help_sheet.doc - 625K - Microsoft Word document

Explain the use of a Boolean search.

Use a technique of getting whole class to stand and then refine search by asking those with blue eyes to remain standing and then those with brown hair emphasise the use of the word AND = Blue Eyes AND Brown Hair are left standing and this shows the refining of a search within a database.

Do the same with the word OR. Blue eyes remain standing or brown hair remain standing.

Learning Outcomes

To use a range of search mechanisms associated with sources and identify some of the advantages and disadvantages of the facilities
To use AND or OR in their Boolean searches
To modify searches after checking the relevance of material found

Activity 3

Lesson Objectives

To find out that information may have unhelpful and biased viewpoints
To skim and sift information to identify any bias and perspective
To identify valuable information and organise and refine ideas using word-processing software

Possible Starter and Plenary Activities

Starter Examples
starter_examples.doc - 19K - Microsoft Word document

Plenary Examples
plenary_examples.doc - 19K - Microsoft Word document

Teachers Notes

Using the websites provided and/or Search engines

Students should copy and paste into WORD, or other suitable word processor, some of the information they have found.
Then encourage them to reduce the amount of text to a manageable length.
They should be addressing the fact that some of the information may be biased.
They should acknowledge where the information has come from (copyright).
They should include the results of any survey they have carried out.

They should now begin to re-order their information in preparation for putting it into a Presentation.

unit_2_searching_worksheet.doc - 23K - Microsoft Word document

Learning Outcomes

Skim through information to check its relevance
Recognise that material held on ICT systems comes from a variety of sources and that they should identify the originator and evaluate the validity of the material
They are critical of information selected and use techniques to search, identify and organise appropriate material

Activity 4

Lesson Objectives

To develop a presentation for a specified audience
To use the facilities of a presentation package to combine text, images and other material effectively

Teachers Notes

Prepare ideas for presentation
Set as a Homework

unit_2_powerpoint_storyboard_homework_sheet.pub - 21K - Microsoft Publisher document

Define the presentation

Go over points of presentation
Colour: use the same background colour except where you want to emphasise a point.
Fonts: no more than 2 in any one slide.
Spell checking.
Not too much animation.

Explain what audience this is for.
Either use the given template in Powerpoint
OR
Design your own.

Homework
Evaluate your presentation.
Use the check list provided.

Powerpoint presentation template available

pngsetup.exe - 55K

Page last updated: March 4, 2003