Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Lesson Idea Name:​ Pop Lock and Solve It

Content Area:​ ​Algebra II
Grade Level(s):​ 11-12

Content Standard Addressed:​ ​MGSE9-12.A.CED.1 Create equations and inequalities in one variable
and use them to solve problems. Include equations arising from linear, quadratic, simple rational, and
exponential functions.

Technology Standard Addressed: ​Knowledge Constructor subsection a: Students plan and employ
effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative
pursuits. Knowledge Constructor subsection c: Students curate information from digital resources
using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful
connections or conclusions.

Selected Technology Tool:​ Popplet

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

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):​ ​Students can engage with this lesson in a variety of ways. Popplet
can be accessed via a computer, laptop, or even a mobile device. By having Popplet on a mobile
device, touch screens can be used in place of a standard mouse and keyboard making the material
more easily accessible for students who may have difficulty operating a standard mouse and
keyboard. Popplet also offers many opportunities throughout the creation process for students to be
creative and completely customize their presentation. Within Popplet, students can insert
mathematical symbols and characters into their presentations and reinforce or facilitate understanding
of the symbols and how they influence equations. However, there is a limit to how many characters
can fit in a text box so students will also have to discern what is necessary information and what
excess information can be ignored.
Lesson idea implementation:
F
​ or this lesson, students will be creating a mind map showing how different equations are created
and how to solve them. The teacher will spend 10 minutes going over Popplet and how to create an
account and how to create a mind map. During this time the teacher will also hand out rubrics for
students to reference as they work. After this, the teacher will assume a more passive role and walk
around the room to monitor progress. The students will cover the four types of functions in their
Popplets as described in the standards, but they will have a particular focus on connecting exponential
equations to real world situations such as global warming, banking, or any other applicable situation.
Students will be given the two aforementioned options and allowed to explore these topics to find a
specific situation in which an exponential equation can solve the problem, such as interest rates or

Spring 2018_SJB
 Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)
decay rate of ice caps. Other real world applications need teacher approval. Student learning will be
evaluated by the final product and if they provided all the components of how to create and solve the
equations.
By having students focus on the exponential equations in the real world and allowing the students
to choose their own real world application, student learning is elevated to Loti level 4a. The final
product will provide an authentic solution to a real situation and will be published for other Popplet
users (including the other students in the class) to view. The lesson will conclude with a ticket out the
door in which students must solve one problem from each of the different functions. This will be used
to evaluate student understanding before grading each students Popplet. Individual feedback will be
given back to students with their graded rubric.

Reflective Practice:​ ​I think student learning will be enhanced as a result of the lesson. Identifying
individual components and how they impact equations will give students more exposure and
interactivity with the material than a standard note taking lecture. The lesson could be extended by
using a similar model for other topics such as inequalities and systems of equations. Discovery
Education could enhance the lesson by having students embed a video of the real world applications.
For example, if a student chose to solve their exponential equation in the context of melting polar caps
they can embed a video explaining the problems contributing to global warming and then provide a
solution to that problem,

Spring 2018_SJB