Sequence | Background | Objectives | Materials | Activity | Extensions | Evaluations

TOPIC-TITLE Deep Sea Technology - Telepresence AUTHOR Migdalia Rodriguez Lisa Reid Grace Page GRADE SUITABILITY Lower Elementary SCOPE Earth Science Physics Technology

Sequence This is an introductory lesson on deep sea technology and subsequent communication that makes it possible for everyone to benefit from that technology. < < go top

Background Summary In deep sea technology studies, it is important to stress the value of telepresence. Telepresence, the sense of "being there" conveyed by real-time video transmission, is valuable from several viewpoints: historical, educational, and scientific. < < go top Objectives Students will be able to do the following: Model and compare methods of communication. Explain the importance of telepresence. < < go top Materials Copies of "message" to be communicated Stopwatch Posterboard < < go top Activity Students will model three forms of communication representing "Pony Express," "Telephone," and "Telepresence." "Pony Express": have students stand in a circle about an arm's length apart. Be prepared to time the passage of the message, then hand the message to the first student. Each student must read the message, then hand the message to the next student. The student must read the message, then pass it to the adjacent student until the rotation has been completed. Stop the watch when the last student has read the message. Write the time on the board. "Telephone": Students may remain in the circle. This time give each student a "message" that he/she should not read until it is his/her turn. Begin timing this activity when the first student begins reading his/her message. That student then turns to the next student and holds his/her message for the student to read. This student reads the message, then turns to the next student and holds his/her message for the next student to read. Continue around the room until the last student has read the message, which will be made known by the last student's raising his/her hand. Stop timing this activity. Write this time on the board. "Telepresence": students remain in the circle. Have the same message as before; however, have it printed on a large posterboard. Begin timing this activity when you hold the message for the entire class to read. Have students indicate to you, by raising their hands, when they have finished reading, stop timing this activity, and write the time on the board. After students return to their desks, discuss the time required for each method of communication. Have the students contrast and compare the time needed to receive the messages. < < go top Possible Extension Students could research other forms of communication and expand the model by creating new scenarios designed to illustrate what they have discovered. Students could access the Internet to view telepresence in action, specifically in the area of deep sea technology. < < go top Teacher Evaluation Have students make bar graphs of the times required to convey the messages. Discuss why telepresence is important to scientific and educational research. Have students give other examples of telepresence uses. < < go top