Vocabulary Acquisition

This method feels challenging to me simply because my courses are so skill based. After reading the chapter I feel a little bit better about it and maybe even a little excited to experiment with a few things.

1. I love the example on ethics! I actually have to teach ethics in all of my classes, so I would like to do a modified version of this example. The first class I might attempt this on is Accounting. In each Accounting unit, we talk about an ethical situation. I would like to use the Vocabulary Acquisition method as an introduction to these ethical situations. To begin with, I will create a discussion board in Canvas that each student will post their definition of ethics. We will then go through all of the posts to examine everyone's interpretation. Next, we will have a discussion about antonyms and synonyms of the word ethics. Next, students will be divided into pairs and given an ethical situation from one of our units. They will be asked to review the ethical situation and come up with a solution to the dilemma. As a final assessment, the students will use technology of their choosing to present their solution to the rest of the class.
2. I have done a lot with Accounting in my plans thus far. Now I want to try something for Programming. I am super excited about using Vocabulary Acquisition in this class. I am planning to use this method to teach sorting. First, I will have the students define the word sort as it pertains to Programming. This is a simple word which does not require too much explanation. After we know what basic sort means, I will use the Vocabulary Acquisition model as we delve into the different types of sorting algorithms. The types of sorts we will define include Quick Sort, Merge Sort, Selection Sort, Bubble Sort, Insertion Sort, and Shell Sort. I will create a discussion board where students will submit their guesses as to the definition of each of these. Then I will split students into groups of 2-3 to talk about their definitions. I will ask them to narrow down their definitions to the best one from their group. As homework for the evening, they will be asked to look up the etymology of each term and fill out an organizer. They will also be asked to watch videos of the Hungarian Folk Dancers demonstrate each of these sorts. (Videos are found on YouTube. I will have them posted in my Canvas account.) As an assessment, I will have the students, in groups of 2-3, create their own video which explains the difference between sorts, and also illustrating one of the types of sorts (to be assigned by me).
3. I will also try this again in Programming to address the concept of searching. I will ask the students to record themselves explaining the difference between linear and binary searching. They will post their video in Canvas. Next, they will talk with a group of 3 students and share their ideas regarding searching. They will come to consensus regarding who's definition they feel is most accurate. Those will be shared with the rest of the class. Next, I will have my students look up the origin and etymology of linear and binary. After they have looked these up, I will asked them to watch a Linear Search and Binary Search video by  CS50 on YouTube. As a final assessment, I will have them give at least one example of when a linear search is most appropriate and when a binary search is most appropriate. They will also have to list the requirements of the data before each type of search can be completed. This information will be compiled into an infographic and submitted to Canvas.