Class: Low level adult ESL

Topic: Pyramids

Computer Time: One hour

Objectives:

To find information about the Pyramids of Egypt

To get introductory knowledge of the Internet

To get more comfortable with the computer

Background

We are reading The Alchemist, by Pablo Coelho in class. The main character, Santiago, is going to the Pyramids of Egypt to find a treasure. Since most students didn't know where Egypt or the Pyramids are, I wanted them to have a better idea of where the story takes place. Most students are first time Internet users with some computer experience.

Web Sites

http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders

Steps for Learners (a description of the process)

Students open Netscape (or other Internet Browser) and type in the URL. The URL will take them to a site about the Seven Wonders. By following the directions, they learn how to scroll, how to find and use a link and how to use the Back button.

Their task is to answer questions about the Pyramids. The students work at their own pace, so some may find more information than others. Answers are shared in class directly after the computer lab time.

1. Open Netscape (double click on the Netscape icon, or click one time and press Enter).

2. Find Location on the screen and click on the box next to it.

3. When it turns blue, type http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders (Type carefully because the address must be EXACT) and press Enter.

4. There are seven drawings on this page. Using the mouse, point the arrow at the drawing on the left. The arrow should turn into a hand with a pointing finger. Any time you see this hand, it means that there is a link (connection) to more information.

5. Click on the left picture. You should now see information about the Great Pyramid of Giza. To read the whole page, use the scroll bar on the right side of your screen. You can move the information by putting the white arrow on different parts of the scroll bar, or on either arrow, and clicking.

6. Point the mouse (white) arrow on the arrow pointing down and click a few times. Observe the screen. If you want to see information on the top of the page again, click on the arrow pointing up.

7. Connections to other information can be a drawing, a photo, places on a map, or words that are underlined or printed in another color (usually blue). You will know by putting the arrow onto the underlined words or drawings. If the arrow becomes the pointing hand, then this is a link. If you click you will see new information.

8. Any time you want to go back to the previous information or page (the page before), click on the Back button.

I would like you to find some information about the Pyramids of Egypt. You can do it by reading information on the screen and connecting to other links.

Try to find answers to the following questions:

1) Where are the Pyramids?

2) What is Cairo? Find some information about it.

3) How many Pyramids are there?

4) How high are they?

5) When were they built?

6) Why?

7) Who built them?

8) How long did it take to build them?