SUBJECT: English
GRADE: High School
TECHNOLOGY: Internet Chat, PowerPoint

Objectives:

Students in 12th grade AP English must demonstrate proper use of the internet by using information and ideas from an on-line chat or search to create a Power Point presentation on Shakespeare's Othello. The purpose of this lesson is for college-bound seniors to practice using the internet for educational purposes and create a visual aid for their presentation that they can use again and again.

Materials:

The students will be able to use the computers in the school lab during class time and will also be allowed to use the computers in the library after school. Students are responsible for having their own disk on which they will save thier Power Point presentations. An overhead projector for use with Power Point will be reserved for the students to use for their presentations.

Lesson Description:

Students will choose a topic (from those listed below) which they will later give a short Power Point Presentation on (approximately 5 slides). They are expected to get on-line and "chat" with someone regarding that topic. They will have two class periods to do this. This is to help them brainstorm about the topic and collect thoughts and ideas that they can use in their presentations. They will also have the option of searching the Web as a back-up.

Students will also be given two class periods to create their Power Point presentations. Passes to the library for after school will be available.

This assignment can also be done through group work and/or research, and the presentations can be done without Power Point. However, this assignment gets students to do research in a diffrerent way and it promotes both discussion and organization of thought.

Topic Choices:

• Why is Othello doomed to failure? What is his character flaw? Could he have averted disaster?
• What is the significance of Desdemona's handkerchief?
• Describe Iago's personality and his motives as the play progresses. Does he state his motives? What do we know? What can we assume?
• Describe Othello's character in the beginning of the play, especially as shown through the actions and descriptions of others. How do these early decisions affect his later downfall?
• Some critics call Iago "motiveless." Others disagree. Who is correct and why?
• Of the main characters, Desdemona has the fewest lines, yet her character - courage, devotion, chastity among the most evident qualities - is very clear. How is this accomplished? Is there evidence that there is a flaw in Desdemona's character that could affect her tragedy?

Evaluation:

Chat: Students will have one or two class periods to conduct a chat on-line. This will simply be an opportunity to find ideas. However, they may also pull information and ideas off of the World Wide Web. If they do this, they must verbally site the information in the presentation. They will not be graded per se on the chat.

PowerPoint: Students must use a minimum of four slides and a maximum of six slides for their presentation. The information should be well organized and clearly presented. They should use colors, clip art, and bulleted lists. Students must clearly address the issue or topic that they chose and come to some basic conclusion regarding that topic with examples for support.