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 Ratings
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| Reviewed: |
May 09, 2003 by Teacher Education |
| Overview: |
LessonPro provides educators with an online easy to use lesson template. The
free lesson planning tool allows teachers to create Internet-based learning for
their students.
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| Learning Goals: |
The major goal of this site is to provide a tool and framework for teachers to
use to create engaging online lessons that utilize Internet resources.
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| Target Student Population: |
The target students include elementary, middle, and high school level students
of teachers that have developed an online lesson. This lesson template
could also be used by higher education level students to develop online lessons
for their students in their field classrooms.
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| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
A prerequisite for LessonPro is a basic knowledge of computer skills, including
Internet search for resources that are incorporated in the lesson template.
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| Type of Material: |
Simulation: This site most closely resembles a tutorial because it guides the
teacher through the lesson planning process.
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| Recommended Uses: |
This site provides a quality lesson framework for teachers as they design
Internet-based lessons. Those lessons can then made available on the Internet
to their students.
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| Technical Requirements: |
None needed.
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| Strengths: |
The LessonPro website provides a detailed framework that scaffolds a teacher's
development
of quality lessons. The site takes the teacher step-by-step through each
component of the lesson. These components include: "Lesson Goals",
"Introduction",
"Vocabulary", "Lesson Problem", "Study Guide", "Resources", "Activities",
"Extended Learning", and "Quiz".
On the screen for each of the components there
are options to include text, images from the picture bank, and add text boxes
for student responses. In the vocabulary section, the lesson writer types in
five words, which are automatically linked to online definitions in the Merriam
Webster Dictionary. Teachers can write up to 35 multiple-choice questions for
each quiz and include explanations for the correct answers.
Lessons can be submitted for inclusion on the e-Tutor site for fee-paying
students to access if the lessons meet the e-Tutor standard for quality and
grade level appropriateness and differ from previous submissions by at least
50%.
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| Concerns: |
Although the lesson framework given is helpful, it is very extensive. Teachers
may not want to write such elaborate lesson plans.
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
Rating:  |
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| Strengths: |
LessonPro provides a quality lesson framework for teachers to follow. This
website could be a wonderful resource for teachers at the elementary, middle,
and high school levels. Many teachers would like to have online lessons for
their students, but they are not sure what to do or where to begin. LessonPro
not only provides the easy to use online lesson template, but also houses the
lesson on the Internet for teachers and students to access.
Teacher educators could use this site to encourage their preservice teachers to
publish their lessons online to use in their field classrooms or to share with
their peers. Lesson samples are provided as models and examples.
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| Concerns: |
None noted.
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
Rating:   |
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| Strengths: |
The LessonPro lesson plan templates are easy to understand and use. It is
possible to use HTML codes to enhance the look of the paragraphs. Lessons can be
easily modified or deleted. The teacher can move to different parts of the
lesson to make revisions at any time. If assistance is needed, there is a
"Writer's Manual" as well as an e-mail link to ask questions.
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| Concerns: |
There is no link to get back to the LessonPro Home Page once you are inside
the lesson creation tool.
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| Other Issues and Comments: |
The online template and space to house the lessons could be a wonderful benefit
to teachers and educators.
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