An Internet Lesson

Buying Medicine

By Susan Gaer

Level: Adult Education Beginning ESL

Before you begin:

Requirements:

You need one Internet accessible computer for each group.

Level: Low Beginning and higher

Students must have studied medicines. The day before doing this lesson, bring in a variety of over the counter medicines and have students discuss what types of uses these medicines have.

Technology tip for the teacher:

Before having students use the computer, familiarize them with the screens they will see by making an overhead for each screen.

Introduction:

Review the word over the counter. Place the medicines studied on the table and say what kind of medicines are these? Elicit the word "over the counter" medicines. Ask, "Do you need a doctor for these medicines? " Encourage students to respond. Ask students when do you use these medicines? Brainstorm and write responses on the board.

Today we are going to find over the counter medicine on the Internet and read directions for use.

Presentation

Prepare a color overheads of Drugstore.com Make one overhead for each screen you use.
Show class overhead and say this is Drugstore.com. First you will click on the medicine cabinet.
Show class overhead of what the medicine cabinet screen looks like.
Brainstorm a list of medicine that the students know about. For example, Tylenol, Vicks Vapor Rub, etc. Make sure to brainstorm at least one type of medicine for each group.
Have each group pick a medicine to research.
In the search box write the name of the model medicine. For example Vicks Vapo Rub.
Show class an overhead of next screen which shows all the different types and sizes of Vicks Vapo Rub.
Choose one and make an overhead to ask students to answer the following questions:
1. What is the name of the medicine
2. Why do you take this medicine?
3. How much medicine do adults take?
4. How much medicine do children take?
5. How much does it cost?

At this point you can do comparison shopping, develop a chart, or the reading activity that follows.

Have students select one of the medicines on the screen. For this model let's choose Tylenol
Show overhead of next screen which shows all the different types of Tylenol.
Give each student a copy of the handout.
Using the screen have students find the answer to each question.

Practice:

Divide the class into small groups of 3 or 4 students.
Assign each group one computer.
Assign each group one medicine to research.
Give students www.drugstore.com as the address and show them on the first overhead where to type that in.

You should be at a computer and one student should write the directions on the board. As you model each step, have the writer write it on the board.

Directions to model

1) Type in the web address

2) Press enter

3) Click on Medicine Cabinet.

4) In the white box, type the name of your medicine. Click GO.

5) Click on one medicine.

6) Click on file and click on print.

This prints out one copy of the medicine. With your group try to answer the questions. Ask your teacher if you need help.

Evaluation

Give each group a new medicine and have them answer the question Individually.

Application

Have students go to their local drugstore and pick a medicine and fill in the handout for class the next day.