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6-8
The History of the Internet
Project type: Assignment
Related topic:
Inventing the Internet Age
Inventing the Internet Age
Subjects
History
Summary
Students create a timeline illustrating the development of the Internet system.
Duration
1-2 lessons
Purpose
To organize historical events in sequence
Before Exploring
Ask: How old is the Internet? Field responses and summarize the general consensus of the class. Write on the board: Birth, Early Development Stages, Breakthrough Era, Current Stage. Tell students they will be creating a timeline based on the categories on the board.
Outline the Opportunity
Divide the students into groups of three and direct them to the topic Inventing the Internet Age on the CBC Radio and Television Archives web site. Each group member reviews the additional clip “Peter Gzowski learns to surf.” Groups members then divide the following clips among themselves: the additional clips “Year of the Internet” and “Coming Soon: CA*Net3,” and clips 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 9. Each group member finds facts to include in the categories outlined on the board. Remind students to note any dates mentioned in the clips. The group then meets and collates its results. They design and create a timeline representation of their findings. Students can augment the timeline with drawings, pictures, and quotations.
Revisit and Reflect
Have students post their timelines around the class. The class then peruses the various displays and makes constructive criticisms which can be given to the group members for feedback.
Extension
Students can generate a summary (composite) timeline for themselves based on all the timelines in the class.
