The end of the First World War

Advances in military technology - First World War

Synopsis

This lesson provides students with exciting and engaging visual resources to help them understand the technological advances in weaponry which were made during the First World War and the impact these advances had, both on the way the War was fought and the way in which the War was brought to an end. Students complete exercises which encourage them to study sources of information, identify the most important parts and then disseminate this information to other members of their group.

MOD Topic

Advances in military technology - First World War

Curriculum Checklist

1.3a; 1.4; 1.5; 2.1b; 2.2a, b; 3b, c, j.

Curriculum Links

• English

Prior Knowledge

Causes of the First World War.
How the First World War differed from previous wars.

Learning Outcomes

Lower ability students will:

• Know that the First World War was characterised by trench warfare.
• Be able to identify new technologies used in the First World War.
• Have taken detailed notes on the impact of one technological advance and know that the other two advances covered by the lesson also had an impact.
• Know how the First World War ended.

Average ability students will:

• Understand the nature of warfare during the First World War and understand that the character of warfare was determined by new technologies.
• Know about several of the new technologies which were developed during the First World War.
• Have considered the impact of three technological advances on the First World War.
• Understand how the First World War ended and evaluate the importance of newly developed technology to its conclusion.

Higher ability students will:

• Understand the nature of warfare during the First World War, that it represented a change from previous wars and that this change was brought about by the development of new technologies.
• Understand some of the background to the new technologies which were developed during the First World War and their uses.
• Have considered the impact of three technological advances and developed an opinion on which of the new technologies studied was the most effective in advancing warfare and for new technologies in civilian use.

Lesson code

H9