Internet
I. Integration Strategy
For their initial research, students will need to gather information relating to the causes, effects and preventative measures of diabetes. Below are some suggested links to resources and procedures for student research.
Step 1: As a warmer, create an online poll with a few questions relating to health statistics for the UAE. Ask students to submit their guesses by voting using their iPads. Display the results on the interactive whiteboard. This may be followed by a brief discussion.
Step 2: Direct students to the website Diabetes,UAE. This website has a considerable amount of information on the disease diabetes, as well as preventive and coping measures. Under the headings of knowledge and action are the categories diabetes, diet and exercise.
Step 3: Have students take notes under the categories of diabetes, diet and exercise using the application Evernote. It is recommended that students create a separate note for each category. Instructors may use their discretion to set, for example, a word count minimum. It is also advisable to have students include a photo with the text to help them internalize information and add a visual component in order to reduce cognitive load.
Step 4: Students may conduct additional research using the website Web MD, a very popular website featuring a large database of information on topics ranging from serious health conditions to, drugs/supplements, family, pregnancy, healthy living, fitness, and so on. There is also a teen version called Teen Web MD.Step 5: Ask students to add their findings to their Evernote pages.
II. Relative Advantage
The great relative advantage of websites like Web M.D. and Diabetes, UAE is that students can quickly find an abundance of relevant, credible and detailed information without having to leave the classroom. Access to the Internet helps to break down the classroom walls. Moreover, learners will appreciate the digital aspect of research, as well as retain more information when accompanied by a variety of high resolution digital images. Dual coding theory shows us that processing of both textual and visual images improves understanding and retention of information.
III. Expected Outcome
As a result of their research, students will gain valuable content area knowledge; in this case, on a specific topic that has significant personal and cultural relevance. Students will also improve their English reading skills, an important component of student success in a tertiary environment such as Zayed University, an English-medium, USA-accredited university that sets high academic standards for its students. Indeed, many ABP students find that once they are in their faculty majors, they look back at the ABP and realize that the ABP is actually not as hard as their core subject classes.
Finally, another expected outcome is that using a productivity app like Evernote allows students to quickly and easily organize their notes along with images and optional voice recording in one easy to access place on their iPads, which can then be automatically synced with any Web-based Evernote account, including mobile smart phones. This is an advantage that should not be underestimated as ABP students, for the most part, lack organizational and time management skills, important elements of academic success.
IV. Additional Resources
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/health/17-000-walk-to-fight-diabetes-in-abu-dhabi-1.1105897
