The Last Lecture Multimedia Project

Essential Questions for Unit: "How are dreams achieved?"

"What does it mean to be fulfilled?"

"What is a fulfilling life?"

The Background: Randy Pausch dedicated his book in the following way: “With thanks to my parents who allowed me to dream, and with hopes for the dreams my children will have.” There are people in each of your lives, like family members, teachers, and friends, who want to help you to be successful. Making those dreams a reality requires you to be resilient, determined, and empathetic.

Your Tasks: For this final unit you will create a multimedia project that captures the lessons that you have learned as you have progressed in your studies through the units of study this semester (What’s Next? The Value of Life, and Into the Wild) and the ones you want to “leave” behind. This task is not about leaving this world, but leaving this place where you have spent the past 4 years of your life. As you move into the future, and away from the security of Norco High School, how do you want to be remembered?

To help you get started:

· Look through the tasks you have completed throughout the semester. Take a look back at the following material we have covered, determine your significant “take aways” and reminisce what we have learned from the individuals we have met along the way: Roger Ebert, Hamlet, Steve Jobs, Amanda Ripley, Brittany Maynard, Kenneth Feinberg, Chris McCandless/ Alexander Supertramp

Each of these individuals provided us with a different perspective on what it means to live, exist and die. Consider their arguments and what you have taken away from each source.

· The multimedia project presentations will be a maximum of 5 minutes in length (3 minutes for the video, 2 minutes for your lecture/speech).

o Try something different: Podcast, Pecha-Kucha, Prezi, Video

o Think, how could I enhance the meaning of my message?

· Find a way to incorporate video and photos into your lecture. Your photos/videos should be of you and your family or friends and/or photos that capture the overall theme (lessons learned) of your project.

· You must include two audio components in your video- your music soundtrack and a voice recording that details some of the lessons you have learned.

o Try using ScreenCast-o-matic to help you embed audio into a PowerPoint presentation

o Here is a tutorial: https://canvas.instructure.com/courses/866692/pages/recording-a-powerpoint-presentation?module_item_id=6026997

· Captions or quotes should be included in most, if not all, of your slides- these captions will need to be submitted to your digital portfolio via wikispaces.

· A copy of the lyrics and the justifications to your “Soundtrack of Life” need to also be digitally submitted.

· 2 page paper (Your lecture). Typed, 12-pt font, Times New Roman, Double Spaced and with an Original Title.

· 1 page analysis that includes the justification for your soundtrack (1 paragraph) and details HOW (strategies) you deliver the message appropriately (1 paragraph).

o This is an analysis of craft and structure.

o Whereas you lecture tells WHAT you want to say, this analysis explains HOW you said it.

· The Presentation must be sent digitally to

· Peer reviews/critiques of the project presentations.

o If time permits

· If you have any questions or if you are not clear about the assignment, ASK FOR HELP PRIOR to the deadline.

**2 page Written Reflection (Your lecture)- Type a paper giving your “last lecture.” This is not necessarily a “formal essay;” however, please make sure your paper is clear, pays attention to grammar conventions, and has an organizational sense about it. Your assignment is to write about what your dreams are and how you have demonstrated resiliency, determination, and empathy despite the obstacles you may have encountered during your high school years (if you have not encountered any obstacles and/or hardships, think about the ones you may potentially face moving forward in your educational journey or career). Make sure you are comfortable with sharing/speaking about the personal issues you write about because this will be the 2-minute lecture you will give in class. Be sure to include what you hope for those around you—your family, friends, and other relationships. Use Pausch’s speech as a model of what words of wisdom you could leave to the aforementioned people.

Due Date: There will be minimal opportunities for you to bring in drafts and complete revisions because of the quickness of the due date. Therefore, if you need assistance with the paper OR the multimedia presentation, you must seek out that help ASAP. While you are drafting, keep in mind the multimedia presentation. Make sure your words and your pictures correlate. Each component should work cohesively to deliver the overall message. They are NOT two separate assignments.

All final presentations are due to email, , on Monday December 12th by 5pm.. The 2 page paper and 1 page analysis will be due to turnitin.com no later than 11:59 on Monday December 12th. All three components must be submitted to receive credit. I cannot grade one without the others.

· Presentations are scheduled for the day of your semester final

o Period 1: Tuesday December 13th

Helpful hints for your final project...

1. Write with purpose. Your writing should be something that is personal and important to you. It is not just a collection of words on a page, but something that expresses who you are and what you value, and what impression you want to leave for others (purpose, voice, and tone are imperative).

2. Write specific. Focus on the details of your experiences. If you want to talk about your neighborhood, focus on one aspect of it and develop the piece of writing with details. Use the Narrative Writing Rubric to make sure you master your standards.

3. Write real. Don’t hold back. Do not lie. This is about you and your experiences. Immerse yourself in the process and the emotions that may come along with it. If it is not real, do not write it.

4. Write before actually writing. Use your in-class journal as a road map for your final reflection.

** DO NOT bore yourselves or your readers/audience. Words cannot explain how important this is.

There will be times when you will be asked to share your last lecture drafts with peers for purposes of editing and revision, in that case please review the following disclaimer on courtesy:

Class Courtesy: You must respect each presenter. It is not just about you. You will actively listen when others share and you will engage your listeners while speaking. Your job is to always pay/ give your attention, to listen, to focus, to only laugh when you are supposed to (if something is intended to be funny). The last thing (very important): if you think this is corny, “that’s cool,” but again, you will respect each other enough where we will not be able to tell that you feel that way. Your peers may be sharing some very personal things, it is difficult enough to do something like this; therefore, you will give everyone your undivided attention and remain polite and respectful of every individual.