Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: The Power of Exponents

Content Area: Mathematics
Grade Level(s): 8th Grade

Content Standard Addressed: MGSE8.EE.1: Know and apply the properties of integer exponents to generate
equivalent numerical expressions.

Technology Standard Addressed: Empowered Learner

Selected Technology Tool: BrainPOP

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):

https://www.brainpop.com/math/algebra/multiplyinganddividingexponents/

Type of Instructional Software:

☐ Drill and Practice ☒ Tutorial ☐ Simulation ☐ Instructional Game ☐ e-books/e-references

Features of this software (check all that apply):

☐ Assessment Monitoring/Reporting
☐ Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students
☐ Multi-user or collaborative functions with others in the class
☐ Multi-user or collaborative with others outside the class
☒ Accessible to students beyond the school day
☒ Accessible via mobile devices
☒ Multiple languages
☐ Safety, security and/or privacy features

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☒ Remembering ☒ Understanding ☐ Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☐ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☒ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☐ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

By using the BrainPOP video as the introduction of the lesson plan, students will be engaged in the new
concepts being introduced. The video will be beneficial for students with attention difficulties, as well as
students with a mild learning disability by offering an engaging and clear introduction of the concepts. The
BrainPOP video is also accessible in different languages, as well as the option to turn on close captioning -
appealing to both ESOL students and students with auditory disabilities.
Lesson idea implementation:

This lesson is a part of a unit focused on expressions and equations, students will have been introduced to the
basics of exponents in previous lessons and class activities. For this lesson, students will focus on the concepts
of multiplying and dividing numbers expressed as exponents. The lesson will begin by the students watching

Spring 2018_SJB
 Instructional Software
the BrainPOP video in class. The class will watch the video in class, as opposed to homework before the class,
in the case that some students do not have computer access at home.

After the video, the teacher will further reinforce the concepts discussed in the video in a whole-class
discussion. After the teacher feels the students have an initial understanding of the multiplying and dividing
with exponents, the teacher will provide some drill and practice problems. The drill and practice problems will
be done as a whole class using the Kahoot app. The teacher will allow the students to work together and self-
instruct each other on problems that seem to pose difficulties to the class. The teacher will facilitate the
students as needed. Allowing the students who have gained an understanding of the new concepts to help
the students who have not will also provide a challenge for the higher-level learners.
The teacher will provide the students a worksheet to reinforce the new concepts learned for homework. In
addition, the teacher will provide the BrainPOP video to students if they need to review or further reinforce
the new concepts. Providing the video for review may also be useful for any students with learning disabilities
or ELL students.

The teacher will be able to assess the students knowledge and provide feedback to the students based on
their completed homework sheet. Depending on the students understanding of multiplying and dividing with
exponents, the teacher may review the homework as a class, providing further instruction and reinforcing the
new concepts.

Reflective Practice:

By using instructional technology to introduce and reinforce new concepts, students are more likely to be
engaged in the content. Further, by allowing students to collaborate and self-instruct during the drill and
practice portion of the lesson provides a student-led activity for the students to further their understanding of
multiplying and dividing with exponents.

As mentioned, this lesson is a part of a unit regarding exponents and equations. To extend this lesson, a
project concerning all the operations involved with exponents can be assigned to the students. Projects could
include students using technology tools to organize all the rules and operations used with exponents.
Students can use PowerPoint, Word, Prezi or other similar productivity tools to create a digital form of a
graphic organizer to review and organize the rules and operations regarding exponents.

Spring 2018_SJB