Columbus+Rich+Task

**CASE STUDY** **Columbus Rich Task BOB** (Nikki, Daryl & Måns)

__The Task:__ In this task students got to discuss the topic of Christopher Columbus, his life and discoveries but it also involved a creative part. __The subject:__ History __The class:__ 11 students, 2 lessons (90 minutes per lesson)

__What was personalised:__ We tried to give the students enough freedom by letting the to choose the method of completing the given task which paid off because in the end we saw variety of methods used to present the tasks. Another aspect of the Rich Task was no time limit for each of the tasks (only the time limit given by number of lessons) so if students found one of the tasks less difficult they could finish it first and that would give them enough time for the other task.

**__The process__**

**Preparation:** At the beginning of planning this Rich Task the group had to split into two groups because the topic of the lesson was not sure. We started the planning of the “Columbus Rich Task” by making a mind map with our ideas about the topic of Christopher Columbus and creating a presentation of basic facts about this topic using the innovative “Prezi”.

**Lessons:** //Period one// At the beginning of the first period we did a short ice breaking by getting everybody to say their names and then we introduced ourselves. After that we started the lesson with the Prezi presentation on which was based the following discussion. In the discussion the class was split into two groups and each group was given a different point of view:
 * Advantages and disadvantages of Columbus coming to America for native Americans
 * Advantages and disadvantages of Columbus coming to America for Europeans

After the discussion we introduced the two tasks we had prepared for the students:
 * Create a diary piece written by somebody who met Columbus for the first time (e.g. native American, sailor on Columbus’ ship, …) Present in any way you like.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">What do you think would happen if history went the other way around? That means if native Americans discovered Europe first. Present in any way you like.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Then we made sure that everybody understood the tasks and split them into three groups. For the rest of the lesson all the groups were working on the tasks.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">//Period two// <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">At the beginning we reminded the students of the tasks and they were asked to continue working and preparing for their presentations. During both periods we were making sure that everybody understands the tasks and asking if anybody needed any help. At the end of the second period everybody presented their ideas.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Students’ outcomes:**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Feedback:** Students’ rating: All the students rated the lesson between 7 and 9

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**What worked:** The freedom given to the students because they could present their outcomes in a wait that suits them. We also liked the informal atmosphere which made students feel comfortable with asking questions and participating in discussions. Another good aspect of this Rich Task was that <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**What didn’t work:** Not enough time for the Rich Task.