Lesson 2:   Research and Discovery

Grade Level:  10, 11, 12

Subjects:  Social Studies,  Language Arts/English

Learner Outcomes:

• Students will research one career area in psychology through internet sources and books
• Students will develop an oral or powerpoint presentation including the following topics:  nature of work, working conditions, training, job outlook, earnings, related occupations, work values and work context, and abilities.

Duration of Lesson:  Two to three 45 minute class periods

Materials:  Books from library on careers, handout with websites

Technology Tools/Courseware:  Class needs to be in computer lab where each team or individual if possible has access to computer.  PowerPoint available on computer. Digital camera may be used for developing presentations.

Teacher Notes:

• all students must have acceptable use policy signed for internet use
• teacher will monitor computer use and internet sites being accessed

Day 1

1. All teams must have chosen career area to research and have handout of websites to use.
2. Students log on  to  www.online.onetcenter.org. They are shown how to gather data from this site by exploring the various subtitles, which are find occupations, skills search, related occupations, snapshot, details, crosswalk
3. After completing the on site search, have students logon to www.acinet.org/. At this site, have them explore all the subheadings of general outlook, wages & trends, what it takes, state info, to search their chosen field.
4. Teacher needs to monitor progress and make suggestions.
5. Students work on their presentations once research is complete.

Modifications:  Follow IEP modifications if needed. Modifications may include oral presentations or PowerPoint and rubric scoring.

Enrichment Activities:  Students may use the sites given to access what colleges and universities offer programs in the career field.  Also students may use the websites to research other career fields.

Evaluation/Assessment:  Student presentations and research activity as well as rubric.

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
English/Language Arts: 12.42, 12.43,  12.89,12.91, 12.93, 12.95,  Health:  HE.1, HE. 62

Taylor County BOE Psychology Instructional Goals and Objectives:
P.1 Describe work done by psychologists, P.4 Compare and contrast various methods of observation and gathering information, P.21 Use appropriate variety of software  or audio visual and multimedia materials..
 

National Standards:
Behavioral Studies Standards: 1. Understands that group and cultural influences contribute to human development, identity, and behavior.
Language Arts: Language Arts: 4. Gathers and uses information for research purposes.8. Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.10. Understands the characteristics and components of the media.

References: a) apa.org
                   b) acinet.org(careerinfonet)
                   c)O*NET online(online.onetcenter.org)
                   d)ajb.org
                   e) psychology.org
                   f)jobweb.org
                   g)bls.gov/oco/(occupational outlook handbook)
                   h) state.wv.us/bep/lmi
                   i) Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, 10th Ed., Vol. 4, J. G.
                      Ferguson Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill.
                   j) America's Top Jobs, 1996, JIST Works, Inc.
                   k) America's Fastest Growing Jobs, 1997, JIST Works, Inc.
 
 

 Authors:
Judy Poe
Alan DePiano
Tom Spadafore
Grafton High School
400 Riverside Drive
Grafton, WV  26354