Week
Six
**WebQuest**
My WebQuest:
Introduction:
This week is the week that I both
looked forward to and feared! I was excited to create a WebQuest because I have
used them before as a student, and have been very engaged as a learner and I
wanted this experience for my future students. I feared it, because for one, I
was told that it would be time consuming and I wasn’t sure just how long it
would take. Secondly, I feared it because I wasn’t sure if I would be creative
enough!
WebQuest Details:
I began
by visiting the suggested websites on blackboard about WebQuest! I found them
all very helpful as they explained exactly what WebQuest were and how they
could be utilized in classroom settings. In addition, they also explained what
needed to be included in the WebQuest and how to make it appealing and
appropriate for the classroom. I then
continued on to visit the QuestGarden website and applied for the free 30 day
account!
I will
admit I was anxious to create a WebQuest because I had no clue as to where to
start! So, I did what I do best! I looked at other WebQuest created by other
individuals, and used them for inspiration! After reviewing them, I found one
that talked about animal reports! Instantly, I remembered creating an entire
unit plan on animal reports in another graduate course to utilize in my future
classroom. I thought, what would be better than adding a WebQuest to enhance
the lesson that I already have to establish a phenomenal unit plan! I LOVE when
the graduate courses require students to create products that they will
actually use in their classes!
It
turns out, my creative wheels can still turn, (after all of the rust disintegrated)
and I set to work! I created a WebQuest that required the students to research
specific information about animals of their choice using a form to guide their
research! This was perfect, as in the lesson plan I had written down that the
students would research their animals. That was it! After creating this
WebQuest, the first thought that comes to mind is… what was I thinking giving
the students free reign to research their animals with no guidance?! Now I have
a structured, WebQuest intact that will guide the students through the research
process!
Challenges Faced:
The
largest challenge I faced when creating the WebQuest was time! It took me
around three and a half to four hours to complete it and get the majority of
the kinks out of it! There were several other minor problems I had when
creating the WebQuest. For one, I didn’t want to use the rubric that they had created;
I wanted to add the one that I created from RubiStar but the rubric was too
large to fit the page. Luckily the help feature on the website was just that…
VERY helpful as it allowed me to resolve the minor issue! It actually provided
me videos and step-by-step instructions that allowed me to fix several difficulties
that I came across! There is one problem that I couldn’t get resolved no matter
what I did! The format of my resource page is a little off due to the length of
my hyperlinks. I tried to follow the step-by-step directions but it simply
would NOT cooperate! I guess you can’t
have a perfect technology day and if this minor mishap is the only thing “wrong”
with my WebQuest, then I will be just fine!
Other WebQuest Viewed:
I viewed several WebQuest from
questgarden, to gain a better understanding of how WebQuest work from the
inside out and to gather examples to utilize in creating my own WebQuest! One
WebQuest in particular stuck out to me! It was a WebQuest titled, “Houston, We
Have A Problem”, created by Theresa Valencia, aimed for grades 3-5! I LOVED
this WebQuest because of the amount of creativity involved and the subject
matter combined! I can certainly see 3rd grade- 5th grade
students becoming excited about this content when presented in this manner! I
think this WebQuest would engage the students and help them understand the
content more efficiently!
As I am not teaching yet, I didn’t have
a set of guidelines to help me choose a sample WebQuest. Therefore, I simply
chose a WebQuest in my ideal grade level and subject matters! This one appealed
to both the grade and the subject matters (Science and Language Arts), that I
am interested in teaching!
First and foremost, the layout and graphics
are truly amazing and make the WebQuest that much more realistic and
worthwhile! I love the theme, and how the creator establishes the fact that the
students are astronauts setting flight for the moon. It is amazing that the
students get to act as though they are on a real space mission, trying to solve
a real-life problem! What third- fifth grade student wouldn’t love this? That was a rhetorical question and I will go
ahead and give the obvious answer; none!
Next, what really drew me towards
this WebQuest was the fact that it is set up to accommodate groups and
collaborative learning! I think it is great that the students can collaborate
and specific task were assigned to each student in each group! This way all
students had something to do and were engaged! This time of group WebQuest also
allows for great discussions!
Everything appears to be organized
effectively and each step, and or process is clearly mentioned and listed!
There are a couple of things that I would correct or add on this WebQuest to
make it even greater! On the standards page, there is only one standard listed,
however, on the learner page it states that this WebQuest meets standards for
science, writing, and speaking and listening. I feel like all related standards
should be clearly listed on the standards page not just one! Furthermore, there
are no links for the students to view. Simply directions to find the research
on their own! I feel like the teacher should at least list a few websites to
allow the students a place to begin their research. At this age, students are
still learning how to research! Other than that, great WebQuest! The WebQuest
was thoroughly thought out and designed! I enjoyed it to the max and would love
to and WILL use this in my future classroom (if given the opportunity)!
Link to WebQuest I viewed for an example:
Kimberly :)
No comments:
Post a Comment