Verizon Innovative Learning HQ is a free online education portal which empowers educators to help bring new ways of learning and next gen tech into the learning experience. The site includes hundreds of free lessons for K-12 ranging from supplemental turnkey lessons to yearlong courses, immersive learning experiences that can be accessed with technology ranging from mobile devices to VR headsets, and microcredential aligned professional development to help educators learn new skills and feel more confident integrating technology into the learning experience.
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In this life science-focused activity, students will pretend to have internships as …
In this life science-focused activity, students will pretend to have internships as environmental scientists as they research why exactly water is essential for life. They will collect and analyze data to help them calculate about how much water they use on a daily basis and consider where cuts can be made. Following the virtual experience, students will calculate approximately how much water each person would need per day to survive on Mars. They will consider how much of this water could be reused, and they will determine how much water the people on Mars need to survive until the shuttle returns from Earth. Student groups will ultimately develop a plan that maps out water use until the shuttle returns, and they will review each other’s ideas as they search for the most efficient and realistic plan.
Estimated time required: 2-3 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, Smartphone, Tablet.
Deepen your understanding of learner factors and how to design learning experiences …
Deepen your understanding of learner factors and how to design learning experiences that maximize learner variability. Educators will design learning experiences with learner variability.
Approximate time to complete this course is 4 hours. A micro-credential is available from Digital Promise upon completion.
This lesson teaches students the Empathy and Define phases of the Design …
This lesson teaches students the Empathy and Define phases of the Design Thinking process using Empathy Interviews and Empathy Maps. Students need assigned partners to complete the Activity.
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.
This lesson introduces students to the basics of the Design Thinking process, …
This lesson introduces students to the basics of the Design Thinking process, complete with a hands-on activity. Get your prototyping materials ready as students design wacky chairs for users from the 1960's!
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.
In Lesson 2 students will use the Ideate and Prototype phases of …
In Lesson 2 students will use the Ideate and Prototype phases of the Design Thinking process. Using a bag of prototyping tools, groups of 2-3 will create prototypes to solve problems for scientists aboard the New Horizon.
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.
The educator designs synchronous and asynchronous instruction for learners that utilizes the …
The educator designs synchronous and asynchronous instruction for learners that utilizes the needs assessment data and virtual desk; the instruction takes into account the needs of all stakeholders through scheduling and community agreements. The educator designs synchronous and asynchronous instruction for learners that utilizes the needs assessment data and virtual desk; the instruction takes into account the needs of all stakeholders through scheduling and community agreements.
Approximate time to complete this course is 3 hours. A micro-credential is available from Digital Promise upon completion.
Educator develops an ecosystem for managing learning and resources for digital learning. …
Educator develops an ecosystem for managing learning and resources for digital learning. This is the second of five micro-credentials in the “Transitioning to Digital Learning” stack. It is encouraged that the micro-credentials in this stack are earned in sequence, as each skill builds on the previous one in the stack. The educator selects and organizes a virtual desk to support equitable access to materials and promote two-way communication.
Approximate time to complete this course is 3 hours. A micro-credential is available from Digital Promise upon completion.
Educators will acquire the knowledge and skills to demonstrate a basic understanding …
Educators will acquire the knowledge and skills to demonstrate a basic understanding of Project-based Learning. Educators will strategically leverage digital tools and strategies to facilitate Gold Standard Project-Based Learning online to bolster student engagement and achievement
Approximate time to complete this course is 4 hours. A micro-credential is available from Digital Promise upon completion.
While creating innovative and successful teams is not as simple as mimicking …
While creating innovative and successful teams is not as simple as mimicking the processes of emotionally intelligent groups of people, what you can do is create the required conditions in which members of the team can develop their emotional intelligence. In this guidepost, coaches will learn strategies of how to develop and improve the emotional intelligence of their school team. The coach will learn strategies of how to develop and improve the emotional intelligence of their school team.
Approximate time to complete this course is 4 hours. A micro-credential is available from Digital Promise upon completion.
How do your experiences shape your point of view? Understanding ourselves helps …
How do your experiences shape your point of view? Understanding ourselves helps us to understand others. This lesson/activity explores what shapes a child's identity. Children will examine how they see themselves, how they see others, and how others may see them.
By exploring the UNSUNG augmented reality (AR) app, students are introduced to singers Florence Mills and Tiny Davis near the start of the Harlem Renaissance—two artists who rose above societal challenges to make their voices heard, and to influence others in their community and beyond. Use this experience as the foundation to explore identity, empowerment, and community.
Estimated time required: 1 class period.
Technology required for this lesson: Tablet or Smartphone.
In this lesson students will create digital graphics using a free software …
In this lesson students will create digital graphics using a free software called Gravit. In the activity, students will use Graphic Design principles to visually represent a common word using Gravit.
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Design Software, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.
In this lesson, students will learn how graphic designers make advanced designs …
In this lesson, students will learn how graphic designers make advanced designs using compound shapes and gradients. Then, students will apply their skills by designing a 60s era band logo.
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Design Software, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.
Students will use critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills to edit …
Students will use critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills to edit photos using the Snapseed digital photo editing app. The app used in this activity is a tool to help students develop a STEM mindset. It is important to allow students to work through the process as independently as possible with the facilitator acting only as a guide.
Estimated time required: 1 class period.
Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, Photo Editing Software, Tablet or Smartphone.
During this lesson, students are introduced to the Immersive Media course and …
During this lesson, students are introduced to the Immersive Media course and meet the course’s narrator: Filos. Filos is from another planet and will introduce students to their first digital storytelling tool: branching narrative stories! Students will explore Filo’s branching narrative story about her home planet, and then create their own story and planet using a free software called Inklewriter.
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Design Software, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.
During this lesson, students will learn more about the Immersive Media course …
During this lesson, students will learn more about the Immersive Media course as a whole (but if they are just completing this lesson or unit, that’s perfectly fine too!). Then, students will learn how to using branching narrative software like inklewriter to create “interactive biographies”. Students will create their own “alien” and add a backstory to their life in interactive biography format.
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Design Software, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.
During this lesson, students will learn about the types of technology used …
During this lesson, students will learn about the types of technology used to create “immersive” experiences such as 360 cameras, augmented reality, and virtual reality. Students will then design their own “alien” technologies and develop those technologies in an interactive story.
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Design Software, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.
In this lesson, students will learn how entrepreneurship applies to technology by …
In this lesson, students will learn how entrepreneurship applies to technology by exploring examples of successful, young entrepreneurs. Then, students will practice the skill on their own in by adding a "spaceship market" to their interactive story.
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Design Software, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.
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