Webquest

Webquests are fun and effective learning tools that allow technology to be utilized in the classroom. Here is a webquest that I helped create with Denise Ambrose.

"The Learning Power of Webquests" says that, "A real WebQuest is a scaffolded learning structure that uses links to essential resources on the World Wide Web and an authentic task to motivate students’ investigation of an open-ended question, development of individual expertise, and participation in a group process that transforms newly acquired information into a more sophisticated understanding.

After reading "The Learning Power of Webquests", I realized that my webquest at least falls under three of the  six characteristics of a good webquest. Essential internet resources is covered because we made use of video, pictures, and an on line poster called a glog. All of which were found using the internet. The story line behind our webquest motivates students to work hard on the task. For this reason our webquest has the characteristic of authentic tasks that motivate. Our webquest also involves individual expertise because it breaks a pair of students into two roles to complete the task.

Webquest Evaluation Worksheet

WebQuest about WebQuests Worksheet

Your Role

___Efficiency Expert

____Affiliator

__X__Altitudinist

___Technophile

Your Impressions

WebQuest	Strengths	Weaknesses
Saving the Gorillas	The webquest uses emotion to get their point across. There a many questions that require more research.	Asks some question which do not require higher thinking skills.
The World of Shakespeare	It doesn't ask questions which can be easily answered. Students must really research the different aspects of Shakespeare's life in order to excel in this project.	From the standpoint of The Altitudinist, this webquest has very few weaknesses. I believe it would really help students learn about the life and culture surrounding Shakespeare.
Become an Anti-Earthquake Designer!	Students are able to evaluate themselves on how their project turns out. This will hopefully let them learn from their mistakes.	All information is gathered from preexisting sources. Very little critical thinking.
Foreign Country Presentation	Students not only learn facts about their country, but also the many cultural aspects as well. The desire to win could drive some students to learn as much as they can.	The one major weakness I see is the possibility for plagiarizing work. The would defeat the purpose of the project.
Waves and Sound	Students should have a better understanding of waves if the project was fully carried out.	Process reminded me too much of a school textbook. I didn't even want to read it.

The majority of out group think that the Shakespeare and Foreign Country webquests to be the best. The main issue with Shakespeare is that it takes too much time, and the Foreign Country presentation doesn't have enough collaboration between students. These webquests could be adjusted quite easily to satisfy all members of our group. Saving the Gorillas and Anti-Earthquake Designer were okay webquests. Our group felt that there could be improvements, but they weren't terrible. Waves and sound was the worst webquest in our opinion. The text seemed to come straight from a textbook, and it just wasn't all that impressive

Collaborative Learning

Storybird Cover Page

   ISTE NETS-T Standard 3 for Model Digital Age Work and Learning:

        b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.

                                                                                                                         

Storybird could help meet this standard by allowing students work with teachers or 

other students to create an on line story book. One person starts the story, and then it 

is continued by another individual. This collaboration allows for even 

a group of students to work together through technology to create a story. 

Engaging students in collaborative learning with technology is essential for preparing 

them to work in the 21st century because our society is constantly evolving through 

technology. The article, Technology Enhanced Collaborative Learning, states "Employers rank 

teamwork/collaboration as one of the three most important applied skills". Students need to 

have social and technological skills in order to thrive. That same article also says, "

A major difference between learning in the workplace and in school is that learning in school has traditionally focused on individual work". This relates that schools do not properly prepare students for the group work that many professions require.

Tools such as Storybird, Edmodo, and Skype allow students to work together through technology. This helps prepare them for future work later in life. Schools should learn to take advantage of the many free tools offered through computers and the internet. It would be extremely beneficial for many students if technology was made a part of the curriculum. 

Skype

Skype allows students to video conference when circumstances prevent personal meeting. Being able to gather people all over the world with simply an internet connection is an amazing feat of technology, and would be very helpful for students to know how to use.

Edmodo

Edmodo is a social media site for teachers and students. Today's society has jumpstarted the social media craze, and it just makes sense to make one for the educational world. Students are given the opportunity to work with other students and teachers from wherever in the world. That kind of connection is fundamental for social development.

Citation

Technology enhanced collaborative learning . (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://docs.google.com/document/d/11VN6R_yz4zPWMTWuNyrxB5oXwQsLrUcXkAnHI_sHDlA/edit

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