EDU 5170

Educational Technology I
Lesson Plan Integrating Technology and Pedagogy
Danielle Kraus
11-30-15
The Battle of Midway and Military Communication
Standards:
Technology Standards:
ISTE.1.c Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
ISTE.2.b Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of
media and formats
ISTE.6.d Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies
Retrieved from: http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-students
Content Standard(s):
Social Studies Standard 2: History of the United States and New York
Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major
ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in the history of the United States and New
York.
2. Important ideas, social and cultural values, beliefs, and traditions from New York State and
United States history illustrate the connections and interactions of people and events across time
and from a variety of perspectives.
3. Study about the major social, political, economic, cultural, and religious developments in New
York State and United States history involves learning about the important roles and
contributions of individuals and groups.
Retrieved from: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/documents/sslearn.pdf and
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/socstand/home.html
Lesson Objective(s):
Students will complete a short review activity as a warm up.
Students will watch a film clip on the Battle of Midway.
Students will learn about the technology used in the Pacific Theater of World War II for
communication.
Students will understand how technology was used during WWII for communication and how it
helped America defeat Japan
Students will work in pairs to code and decode a message using a message coding simulator
Students will practice using morse code through a morse code simulator
Introduce the Learning Activity:
Content:

Students will be made aware of when, where, and why the Battle of Midway took place as well
as who the battle was fought against. Students will also be made aware of the significance this
battle had in both American and world history.
After learning about American involvement in World War II for the last week, specifically the
war with Japan, students will finally see the United States gain the upper hand in the conflict.
National pride should serve as a motivating factor.
Technology:
Students will be made aware of two type of communication used by The United States military
during World War II. Students will also be made aware of the purpose these forms of
communication served and why they were important. Students will be introduced to online
simulators that give them an opportunity to test out Morse code and encrypted messages.
The online simulators provide students with a break from content information through the use of
an interactive, online activity that replicates the type of technology we discussed earlier in the
lesson, and the opportunity to work with other students.
Provide Information:
I will begin my lesson with a short clip from the battle of Midway, the decisive turning point for
the United States in the Pacific war. This will be followed by a brief lecture on Midway and the
use of code breaking technology. I will also discuss the use of naval warfare and airplanes, that
relied on encrypted communication and Morse code to transmit secure information over long
distances.
I will present a brief lecture on the battle of Midway that will segway into the use of
communications technology during the war. This technology played an important part in the
United States victory at Midway. I will ask students why the technology was useful. I will also
discuss the use of coded messages and morse code as a form of communication.
Provide Practice:
Guided Practice:
I will ask students several questions at the beginning of class to review previous information
before beginning the lesson.
I will introduce the Battle of Midway and play a short film clip for the students.
I will introduce the students to a simple message encoder online and show them how to write and
decode messages using the simulator.
I will do the same for a Morse Code simulator.
Individual Practice:
Students will watch the film clip provided.

Students will have the opportunity to work in pairs to each write their own encrypted messages,
they will then trade these with partner and attempt to decrypt the message using the simulator.
Individually students will use a Morse code simulator to experience what it is like to send and
receive a message transmitted this way. The simulator provides a visual chart depicting each
letter, number, and prosing with its unique dot-dash symbol and the corresponding audio
transmission.
Provide Knowledge of Results:
I will ask students verbal questions through the lesson to check in on their understanding of the
material and to clarify any information that a student may have difficulty with. I will also ask
students to share the decrypted results of the messages they traded with their partners.
Although this lesson does not contain any written activities I can provide students daily written
feedback on their progress and participation in class through weekly progress reports. This
progress report provides students with a clear indication of their academic standing in the class
throughout the term.
Review the Activity:
At the end of the lesson the students and I will discuss and summarize the main points made
during the lesson on the Battle of Midway and have them tell me why it was important to
American history.
I will ask students to share their thoughts and feelings on the simulators used in the class activity.
I will engage students critical thinking skills by asking them to to draw connections between the
American victory at Midway and the communication technologies we used during the lesson.
Method of Assessment:
Formative Assessment: I will conduct a short review of our previous lesson to gauge how much
information students have retained.
Summative Assessment: At the end of the lesson I will use an informal verbal assessment to
gauge how well students understood were able to understand the lesson.
Materials:
A projector and audio equipment to play the Midway film clip.
Computers with internet access for students to view the Pacific map and use the online
simulators.
Resources:
Code simulator: http://www.ww2sci-tech.org/activities/code.html
Midway film clip: https://youtu.be/HKlVj-UGLl8?t=50s
Map of the Pacific Theater: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=zfdrwj98iMY.ksTptgvz76Zw&hl=en_US
Morse Code simulation: http://boyslife.org/games/online-games/575/morse-code-machine/