Class 8

This post is intended to address our next project component, a Webquest, which, depending upon the comfort level of the group, should occur sometime after we've dealt with our Powerpoint presentations at the beginning of class 8.

Please do not export your presentations, but leave them in their pristine state. I need a little more time to think about the most advantageous way for us to run them. Here's the question: Can you guys run them off the server from within your folders at school? If you can do that, we should be able to run them in the lab from the teacher's workstation. In addition, please bring a copy (complete, in a folder named YourLastName, with no other extraneous files-only those necessary) on your flash drive.

This is all leading to a culmination of your work that I want to publish for you in one place on the Web. All of your work should unite with your movies in the same location, so that you could either access it yourself during a lesson presentation, or you could direct your students to do so.

The Webquest should complement and complete your integrated learning unit. With that in mind, I'd like to direct you to a number of sites that contain, either tutorials, or examples of Webquests, including Zunals. You'll have most of Class 8 to work on these. Just take a a look at what follows and begin thinking about what you'd like to do and set yourself up with an Zunal account. Use your complete email address for your username.

Definition of WebQuests from The Zunal site:

Professor Bernie Dodge of San Diego State University defines a WebQuest as an inquiry-oriented activity that uses resources on the World Wide Web. WebQuests pull together the most effective instructional practices into one integrated student activity. These Web-based projects use World Wide Web sites to help students develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. WebQuests are interesting and motivating to teachers and students. An effective WebQuest develops critical thinking skills and often includes a cooperative learning component. Students learn as they search for information using the Web, following a prescribed format that focuses on problem solving and authentic assessment. A well-written WebQuest requires students to go beyond simple fact finding. It asks them to analyze a variety of resources and use their creativity and critical-thinking skills to solve a problem. WebQuests help students analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information.

WebQuests.org 

Matrix of Sample Zunal WebQuests   http://www.zunal.com/index-matrix.php

Zunal Webquest Guidelines   http://www.zunal.com/help-about-whatiswebquest.php

Zunal Webquest Tutorial and Workshop   http://zunal.com/site.php?s=1

Tech Insights and Zunal Webquests   http://www.wiu.edu/coehs/techinsights/blog/?p=983