History of the Telephone, Radio and Light Bulb

Lesson Tip
Reading the information aloud in the classroom will lead to further discussion and a greater understanding of the history of these inventions and the men who created them.

Objectives

• Learns about significant people and their contributions in the
  field of communication and technology and the impact of these
  devices on society
• Explores online services as an information source
• Uses the writing process effectively

Materials
Computer with Internet capabilities

Procedure

1. The students will search online for information about the
   inventors of the radio, the telephone and the light bulb.
2. They may use a search engine such as www.google.com  or 
   www.askjeeves.com  to assist them. 
3. After having found three to five websites, they will analyze the information. They will gather information about the inventor's name, place and year of birth/death, education, career, and achievements.
4. Then write an essay concerning the historical information.

Evaluation
Students are evaluated using the following Essay Rubric.

Homework
The students will search online and answer the following
questions:

1) When and where were Alexander G. Bell, Thomas A.
Edison and Guglielmo Marconi born?

2) Name at least two other patents that each held.

3) How far did each inventor advance in school?
4) Write an opinion essay on which invention was the most
important. Explain your reasons.

Websites
United States Early Radio History
http://earlyradiohistory.us/ 

History of Radio
http://home.luna.nl/~arjan-muil/radio/history.html

Extension Activities

• Visit a museum that has old-time radios.
• Write to or interview someone who remembers what life was
  like before the invention of television asking
  questions about the programs and listening habits
  of that person’s family.