As of September 30, 2005, the North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium
is no longer in operation.
Extensions and Adaptation
- This investigation could easily be adapted to middle and high school students
by increasing the requirements. For instance, in science, not only investigate
the causes and effects of the communication device, but also study more about
what makes the communication device work -- the mechanics and science of the
device itself.
- Language arts: Students write historical fiction as if they were living
prior to the invention, describing how life changed after the communication
invention and maybe even tell what they miss about the "old days."
- Social studies: Maps of the United States show growth of communications
as the population grows. Does the communication invention follow the population
growth or migration path. For example, the pony express was brought about
due to westward migration and the gold rush. What was going on in history
during the time of the invention? The map would demonstrate that communication
inventions were created as people moved westward because of the distance between
families.
- Science: Use this investigation as starting point for an invention convention.
What will the communication devices of tomorrow look like? Diagram or create
models of futuristic communication devices. Discuss future communication devices,
how big they would be (such as the new video/phone systems), etc. Have your
students create their own designs for inventions and write about what the
inventions would do.
You also may use this activity for a general invention convention. Once students
see the evolution of inventions, they often are interested in creating their
own inventions, unrelated to communication. Student inventions often deal with
problems that are real for them. Dog feeders, organizers, and pet cleaning devices
are common inventions that students create.
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