World History Virtual Museum Project Site
Welcome to the Virtual Museum Project website for the BRVGS World History "Technology Through The Ages" course. The goals for this project are that each student will:
Research and analyze the important inventions or innovations of specific times and places in history
Write an analytical, conclusive, academic paper suggesting and supporting the most important of those developments
Collaborate effectively with a team of students, in person and through web-based technology, to create a Virtual Museum website that highlights the most important inventions of specific times and places in history
Note - For this research project, an "invention" is defined as: "A new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation. Some inventions are based on pre-existing forms, compositions, processes or ideas. Other inventions are radical breakthroughs which may extend the boundaries of human knowledge or experience." An "innovation" is: "The act or process of introducing new ideas, devices, or methods." (Merriam-Webster)
Project Steps
1st Step: Pre-Kickoff Work
Before coming to the Kickoff, each student will be assigned to a specific historical period and team. From a list for the period, each student will research the inventions and innovations from internet and print resources, using at least 3 academically valid sources. Students will prioritize their choices of inventions/innovation, from most to the least significant, and will provide a brief explanation of why they chose their top three as "most significant."
2nd Step: Project Kickoff
Students will meet their teammates at the Kickoff Field Trip to discuss the list of important inventions from their assigned historical period, and to decide, as a group, on the most important technological developments for their civilization. Students will also assign each team member with a specific invention, will determine individual responsibilities for the team portion of the project, and will review information on determining the validity of sources.
3rd Step: Outline/First Version
Students must write an outline and a first version for the 1200 -1500 word final paper, not counting their "Works Cited" page. The paper must support their choice for the most important invention from their assigned historical period. The first version of the research paper will be submitted to TurnItIn.com.
4th Step: Final Paper
Students will submit the final individual research paper to TurnItIn.com.
5th Step: Project Workday
Teams of students will meet to begin to develop their Virtual Museum according to project guidelines and to roles established in their group contract. See "Due Dates" on the Navigation Bar for important team dates.
6th Step: Peer Feedback
Students will provide feedback to their own group and to other project groups on their Virtual Museums. Teachers will also provide feedback to groups. Groups will revise and improve websites as needed.
7th Step:
Groups will submit their Virtual Museum for final grading. Grading will be done on both an individual and group basis.