Weekly Overview
This week begins a two-week adventure into the world of Internet for Inquiry through the use of PBL– in what ways can we harness the World Wide Web for the benefits of student learning through authentic and meaningful projects? Considering our frameworks, we start with the TPACK overlapping areas of knowledge (Content -> Pedagogy -> Technology). Content is where we look for the questions and issues worth investigation for student learning (standards), from within this we identify emergent pedagogy for students to obtain the knowledge that is valuable (what we teach will tell us how best to teach it if we listen), before we look at potential technology for Engagement, Enhancement, and Extension (utilizing SAMR to move your technology and pedagogy beyond and the Triple E to evaluate tools to use).
The focus of this week is combining the scaffold of a WebQuest (make sure you understand what it truly is - not the scavenger hunt many of you may know it as) and the process of project/problem based learning (PBL) in the classroom. PBL does not require technology to function as a learning experience, but what if we could combine a student’s problem based inquiry project with the power of Internet and the affordances of digital tools? This assignment is your chance to bring all of your thinking and conceptual development to the table and make something worthwhile for your classroom.
FOCUS: As you complete the readings and watch the videos, ultimately think about how you will PLAN your OWN PBL WebQuest, using Internet digital technology for Inquiry learning.
At the end of this week, you should have a strong idea of what you want to do for this INTERNET ADVENTURE for educational technology. Consider all of the webtools we have explored the past few weeks, and utilize the frameworks to fully develop your own way forward in your classroom! There are videos to watch for examples, and you should seek your own out – if you have a specific content, ask around Internet and see what you can find!
Learning Objectives
After the successful completion of this module, students will:
Examine and Explain what a WebQuest is for student learning
Examine and Explain what PBL is for student learning
Explore the value of using Internet for inquiry in the classroom.
Explore opportunities for expanding inquiry pedagogy in their own school contexts
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT
BY SUNDAY: This week, complete a Google Doc and share it with me as you follow the instructions below
TUESDAY CLASS TIME: You will complete a review of an existing PBL WebQuest.
WEEKLY INSTRUCTIONS AND MATERIALS
PART 1: GOOGLE DOCUMENT WORK
There are two sets of content materials for this week for you to use in completing the Google Document. The first set focuses on WEBQUESTS, the second set on PBL. Please create a Google Document to share with me as you complete the following questions based in the materials provided. Please cite your sources.
Thinking about the WebQuest material:
Do you have experience with WebQuests?
What are the affordances of WebQuests?
What are the drawbacks of WebQuests?
Take a dive into what WebQuests actually are, their potential, and examples of the different tasks you may charge your students to complete. The WebQuest format, at base, follows a standard structure: Introduction, Task, Procedure/Process, Evaluation, Conclusion, (and a teacher page with resources). You may add to this, but it should at least have these elements in some fashion. The heart of the WebQuest, I have always felt, is setting up the situation, the introduction provides a CONTEXT for students to step into. Give them a scenario, give them roles – so they can get into character and engage in authentic learning while completing their task. Start with the web links, read the two articles and watch the interview!
Thinking about the PBL material:
Do you have experience with PBL?
What are the affordances of PBL?
What are the drawbacks of PBL?
Take a look into PBL and a few different formats for developing problem and projects around inquiry for student learning. You should really ground yourself in your content – where are the QUESTIONS you can ask at your grade level or class subject matter – what are the big ideas worth exploring and constructing knowledge around within your content? (In class, we will consider the BIE Gold Standard format as well as the Big Six Inquiry Process for a look at how to do plan and conduct inquiry in your classrooms.)
FINAL QUESTIONS
Think about the courses/grade levels you teach - what is a concept, unit, set of standards, or topic you could develop into a PBL WebQuest? What makes it a potential candidate for Inquiry Learning online? What are some digital tools you can use to make that happen? Explore a few options for this project before Thursday in your Google Document.
PART 2: IN CLASS: WebQuest Review
The different components of a WebQuest are provided below for review in class.
We will then use the provided rubric below to evaluate the provided WebQuest below in class to examine and evaluate PBL WebQuests.
Other Resources and Materials