Webquests

WebQuests are an exciting way for students to learn.  Students learn background information and follow a set of directions to learn about a specific topic.  Instead of finding the information on their own WebQuests act like a guided tour where the teacher is showing the students exactly where to look.

Endangered Animal Safari

WebQuest Connections: Endangered Animal Safari

Name: Amber Schaffer	Date: 12/1/10
WebQuest Title:	Grade/Level:3
TN State Learning Accomplishments: http://www.state.tn.us/education/curriculum.shtml Please think about a narrow focus here rather than a broad focus. Science GLE 0307.Inq.3 Organize data into appropriate tables, graphs, drawings, or diagrams. GLE 0307.5.2 Classify organisms as thriving, threatened, endangered, or extinct. GLE 0307.5.1 Explore the relationship between an organism’s characteristics and its ability to survive in a particular environment. Social Studies 3.6.01 Recognize the impact of individual and group decisions on citizens and communities.
NETS-S Performance Indicators:  http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm 1.Creativity and Innovation   Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students: a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes. b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression. 2.Communication and Collaboration    Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students: a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media. b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats. d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems. 3.Research and Information Fluency   Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students: b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media
NETS-T Performance Indicators:  http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm 1.Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers: a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources. 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers: a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. 3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers: a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation. c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.
TN State Computer Technology Learning Accomplishments: http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/computer/index.shtml Computer Technology 3.1.2. Students will exhibit a proficiency in the use of technology e. Expand the use of various operating system features such as, opening more than one application/program, the menus, the taskbar, etc. 3.3.1. Students will use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity. e. Import graphics from clip art galleries. f. Create slide shows                     3.3.2. Students will use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works. a. Use the computer and technology resources to practice learning skills in relation to other subject areas such as math, science, English, etc. 3.6.1. Students will use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions. d. Use teacher selected websites to acquire information related to a given problem. 1. Analyze the information gathered 2. Collaborate with the teacher/student to reach a decision based on the information gathered.
Essential Question: What is the desired/expected outcome for the students after completing this WebQuest? There are several desired purposes for this WebQuest.  The first goal is to introduce students to the concept of  endangered animals across the world.  The students will become familiar with four animals from six continents.  Second, the students are learning to observe and record information.  The information is gathered from the internet using predetermined questions.  They must be able to read the information as well as make visual observations and then record it in a journal.  The third goal students will accomplish, is learning to work in collaborative groups.  They must gather information individually and as a group.  Then they take this information and discuss and create work together.  Last, the students will become aware of the impacts humans can have on the environment.  The students will take part in becoming parts of the solution and see how responsible citizens can come together to make a change.
Description of the ‘relative advantage’ of any and all technology being used in this lesson: Describe how technology is more helpful than time consuming in completing this WebQuest; why use technology in the ways in which you have planned? The technology used in this WebQuest has many advantages.  First, it is able to incorporate writing, graphics and video, audio, and group work into one location.  This allows the teacher to reach as many students as possible by including many learning styles.  Second because it is saved in a digital format it required virtually no space to store compared to a collection of books, photographs, or magazines.  A third advantage is that it can be shared with other teachers via the internet.  Last because the “resources” are directly linked and on the internet the students don’t have to waste time looking up information for their observations. There are some ways to make the process of creating a WebQuest faster.  There are websites on the internet that provide a place to create and store WebQuests.  They make it as simple as entering information into a template.  Teachers can also use Power Point to create a master slide that they can use for more than one WebQuests.