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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

That Was Then, This Is Now

Students will explore various career topics and study technological changes over last 30 years.

A lesson plan for grade 9 English Language Arts

By Teachers Connect

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • research career topics
  • study technological changes over last 30 years.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

8 hours

Materials/resources

Paper, pencil, research station (media center)

Technology resources

word processor

Pre-activities

Students should be familiar with careers of their interests. If not, have the local career development counselor speak to your class about available opportunities for research such as interest inventories, career computer software, or career reference books at the school.

Discuss uses of technology in the real world. What does technology consist of? Give examples of 30 years ago as opposed to today’s technology.

Activities

  1. Have students choose a career area of interest to them. Examples might be: Automotive Sales, Voting and Politics, Banking, Farming, Education, etc. Students should then research the career using available resources at your school.
  2. Take students on a field trip to a technology department at an area university to talk with students and professors about current technology, careers, college majors, and degrees offered. An excellent opportunity for this interaction is held each semester at North Carolina State University’s Senior ECE Design Day. Contact NCSU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments for times and dates. This opportunity allows high school students to interview senior engineering students to discuss senior projects and technological applications.
  3. Students should research their career topic by visiting businesses in the career area. Students must interview two people from the chosen field, one of which is currently employed in the area. Sample interview questions are: How was the job done years ago? How is the job done today? What has technology done to help make the job easier or better? What does the future hold for this career based on the growth of technological applications?

Assessment

Evaluation #1: Students should write a research paper based on research in the chosen career area. This paper should include information about technology used today and thirty years ago. The paper must be typed and include a title page and bibliography.

Evaluation #2: Each student is to prepare a short presentation for the class. This presentation should include student produced visual aides and be limited to five minutes.

Supplemental information

None

Comments

The time required for this lesson plan is 2 weeks.

Other Information:
National Career Development Guidelines:
Competency Goal VII: Skills to prepare to seek, obtain, maintain, and change jobs.

“Skills and Knowledge Graduates Should Possess” list identified by Johnston County Educators and Community Citizens. #37 Encourage investigation of post-secondary academic, career, and military operations. #55 Understand and demonstrate oral communications skills necessary to obtain and to continue employment including oral presentations and job interviews.

This lesson plan is from the collection of the Tried *n* True lesson plans from the Department of Public Instruction.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 9 — English I

  • Goal 2: The learner will explain meaning, describe processes, and answer research questions to inform an audience.
    • Objective 2.04: Form and refine a question for investigation, using a topic of personal choice, and answer that question by:
      • deciding upon and using appropriate methods such as interviews with experts, observations, finding print and non-print sources, and using interactive technology or media.
      • prioritizing and organizing the information.
      • incorporating effective media and technology to inform or explain.
      • report (in written and/or presentational form) the research in an appropriate form for a specified audience.
  • Goal 3: The learner will examine argumentation and develop informed opinions.
    • Objective 3.01: Study argument by:
      • examining relevant reasons and evidence.
      • noting the progression of ideas that substantiate the proposal.
      • analyzing style, tone, and use of language for a particular effect.
      • identifying and analyzing personal, social, historical, or cultural influences contexts, or biases.
      • identifying and analyzing rhetorical strategies that support proposals.