Lesson Plan: Evaluating Conflicting Sources of Evidence in the Context of Technology’s Impact on Communication

Subject: Social Studies Topic: People, Past Events, and Societies Curriculum Level: Fourth Level (Scottish Curriculum)

Desired Outcome: I can evaluate conflicting sources of evidence to sustain a line of argument.

Focus: Technology and its impact on communication

Lesson Duration: 60 minutes

Resources: - Access to computers or tablets with internet connectivity - Printed copies of conflicting sources of evidence related to technology’s impact on communication (e.g., articles, news reports, historical documents) - Whiteboard or flipchart - Markers - Worksheets for evaluating sources (can be created by the teacher)

Lesson Plan:

Introduction (5 minutes): 1. Greet the students and briefly explain the topic of the lesson: evaluating conflicting sources of evidence in the context of technology’s impact on communication. 2. Ask the students if they have ever encountered conflicting information or opinions on a particular topic. Discuss briefly.

Activity 1: Understanding Conflicting Sources (15 minutes): 1. Divide the students into small groups of 3-4. 2. Provide each group with printed copies of two conflicting sources of evidence related to technology’s impact on communication. 3. Instruct the groups to read and discuss the sources, identifying any conflicting information or opinions. 4. Encourage the students to take notes and highlight key points from each source.

Activity 2: Evaluating Sources (20 minutes): 1. Bring the students back together as a whole class. 2. Display a sample source on the whiteboard or flipchart. 3. Discuss the criteria for evaluating sources, such as credibility, bias, relevance, and reliability. 4. Provide the students with a worksheet or guide to evaluate the sources they have read. 5. Instruct the students to evaluate the conflicting sources individually or in pairs, using the provided criteria. 6. Allow time for the students to complete their evaluations.

Activity 3: Sustaining a Line of Argument (15 minutes): 1. Divide the students into new pairs or small groups. 2. Instruct each group to discuss their evaluations and come up with a line of argument based on the evidence they have evaluated. 3. Encourage the students to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each source and how they can use this information to support their argument. 4. Provide guidance and support as needed.

Conclusion (5 minutes): 1. Bring the students back together as a whole class. 2. Ask a few groups to share their line of argument and the evidence they used to support it. 3. Summarize the importance of evaluating conflicting sources to sustain a line of argument. 4. Encourage the students to apply these skills in their future research and critical thinking.

Assessment: - Observe students’ participation and engagement during group discussions and activities. - Review the completed worksheets or guides to evaluate sources for understanding and application of the criteria. - Assess the students’ ability to sustain a line of argument based on the evidence they have evaluated.

Extension Activity: - Ask the students to research and evaluate additional conflicting sources of evidence related to technology’s impact on communication. - Have the students present their findings and arguments in a debate or a written essay.