Sample

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Would Socrates approve of WebQuests?

I want to start by identifying my WebQuest. I believe that my WebQuest could fall under both Retelling Tasks and Design Tasks. I think that since I am having the students become actual Endangered Animal Specialists and designing a PowerPoint to influence donations, this would fall under Design Tasks. While Retelling Tasks can also be described in a PowerPoint, but most of all, give feedback on what the students were able to carry over from the WebQuest. I think by all the research they would be able to take something from the WebQuest, skills of summarizing, distilling, and elaborating. Also, influencing others that we all can make a difference if we chose too.

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I believe that Socrates would approve under certain circumstances. It was said that "...advocates believe we can Google, blog, Skype, and Twitter our way to enlightenment. They assume that disorganized, radically democratized data lead to useful information..." If all information is clearly laid out on a WebQuest; it is organized, links lead to useful information, and applys working together, then it is essential to Socrates standards.

"Google has given use the world at our fingertips", the 21st century calls for electronic learning, so if people can learn to distinguish the difference between bogus and genuine knowledge, it would enable students of all ages to interact with one another in knowledge. It would allow them to work in groups and apply moral and ethical opinions.

I think that actually knowing something, is knowing that you don't. So ignorance, to me, is knowing that I want to know.

Endangered Species WebQuest

To view my updated WebQuest, please click the picture of the Endangered Tiger.

WebQuest

I chose a WebQuest that was entitled "Endangered Species". It was designed for fourth grade students. I think the WebQuest needs a lot of work, but has a lot of useful information. The link to the original WebQuest is :
http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/webquest/endangered/index.htm

I believe just by reviewing the WebQuest, I will need to fix broken links, create new links, and add more pictures to make it look intriging. After a little research myself, I will need to re-write the introduction, some facts have changed, and need updating. I also want to change the original task. I think this WebQuest has a lot of potential. I'm looking foward to getting started on it.

Orchestrating the Media Collage

In reading “Orchestrating the Media Collage”, by Jason Ohler, I believe students should be allowed to create multimedia projects rather than writing papers, at least some of the time, if not ALL of the time.
Ohler states that just being able to read is not sufficient enough anymore. Fast changes in technology require us to enable ourselves to new media collages. If students aren’t being taught this now, when it may or may not be needed, where will they be left standing in their graduating years? “The fluent will lead, the literate will follow, and the rest will get left behind”, Ohler proposes.
In order to promote digital literacy, he suggests experimenting with PowerPoint presentations, web pages, Google Docs, and blogs. And according to NETS-T, we should be advancing students by creativity and innovation; both face-to-face and virtual environments. We need to be taught the knowledge and skills to be able to design and also develop digital-age learning assessments.
Students should be able to use online resources and have access to the fundamentals of media collages. I consider the interests created online, or by the collages are more appealing and motivating than sitting, starring at worksheets. It teaches kids to use this both successfully and artistically. Kids like to put together little videos and blogs; researching online, it’s not typical “schoolwork” to them.
So while reading and writing will always be a necessity, the need to understand media literate is also extremely important.

Webquest

Two best Webquests: John Wilkes Booth & Creative Encounters

Overall, we came to the conclusion that John Wilkes Booth and Creative Encounters encorporated most of the ideals that all four roles were looking for. They were both technologically helpful and included links and resources. Both required a higher-level thinking and collaboration/teamwork. Also, both were time efficient and gave a deep understanding of the topic at hand.

Two worst Webquests: Landfills & Poetry of WarThese two webquests lacked web use and researching. They also did not have much collaboration. They were very time consuming. While they are good assignments that could be used in the classroom, using webquest doesn't offer much of an advantage over a worksheet in a classroom.

Best, to us, means that the webquest met most of the criteria described in each of the 4 roles we took while reading. Worst, though they were not bad assignments, means that they did not reflect the ideals represented as a whole for the learner.

Photo Story

Or view my photo story through Teachers Tube, by clicking the word video.

Resume

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Blogs helpful?

While I was reading "The Joy of Blogging", I remembered how I felt when I would get out of classes in high school and the first thing I would do is turn on my phone and check for new text messages. If blogging can make a kid want to do that same thing, for his/her blog, I would say its definitely a productive way of learning. Anne and Ewa have noted strategies for successful blogging, where students can improve their reading, writing, and communication skills.

I believe if I learned how to blog correctly, I would use it in my classroom. I would try to create learning experiences that use online tools, (as I am being taught also), and use many references that link to creativity and thinking. I think blogging would make students eager to learn. Children love the web and browsing, they can be learning without realizing it.

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After class correction..
I misunderstood the assisgnment. After reading a new blog, I found this instructional site let parents access and see what their children have been doing. She published dates and events that parents could always access. Kids tend to leave behind, or lose papers, this way is very neat in the fact that children not only can say "hey, I did such and such today", but actually show them online. Click here to view Mrs. Bradley's Class blog.