Filamentality/ WebQuest

I think in the link to the first article, “Educational World,” put the usefulness of WebQuest perfectly. “I find it the perfect model for teachers searching for ways to incorporate the Internet into the classroom on both a short-term and long-term basis.” I have found a few ways to use technology to increase students learning by adding to teaching or short term technology related assignments. The idea of WebQuest is the first technology I am aware of that can actually allow students to take the lead in their learning allowing teachers to become facilitators as Professor McCulloch stated.

On the Discovery School page I clicked on a couple of the examples from the exemplary WebQuests including some that had moving graphics. Like Professor McCulloch said these pages can be somewhat “dry” since we were not taught how to insert graphics. I think since the instruction page is a very basic layout choosing interactive and interesting sites is very important to keep the student’s attention.

When reading the “FOCUS” article I began to reflect upon past lessons about technology we have learned. Not only do we find websites that are attention getters and interesting but we must keep in mind what we read about and how to assess a website last week to find our great sites. Also, like stated in the article I think that bookmarks are a good way to keep track of relevant links so that when creating a new page you can browse previously found sites to cut down on searching time. When speaking of how to orchestrate your learners and resources I really like the idea of using class time to go over what to do in the lab if this setting is the only option for computer access. Too many times I have wasted precious time in a computer lab listening to a teacher explain what could have been done in the classroom previously. I also can see myself using the idea of printing web pages and placing them around the room for students to use and find. This way students still search for the information but it does not rely on a working computer and internet access. A good back up plan incase the internet at the school is down the day you planned a lesson. I like the idea of when using groups allow students to look at different pages or even the same page using a different perspective. WebQuest really seems to take the dullness of memorized standard information and allows students to apply and think deeper, like Bloom’s Taxonomy, which is important when much of our curriculum is now content driven.

The article The Student WebQuest opened my eyes to the various uses and topics that have been and can be used for WebQuests. Since the internet has so much available the sky really is not even the limit for creative and dedicated teachers. Like the article concluded with, I believe a final reflection will bring analysis and critical thinking to a deeper level in discussion and allow the teacher, who may be more uninvolved directly in such an assignment, to gather feedback to adapt or enhance the lesson, page or assignment.

Finally, what I learned this week. Wow I feel that this week was a very useful tool with the filamentality. Not only have I discovered new ways to enhance and deepen students’ thought and learning but a new way to “plan” or “run” a lesson. Taking a step back as a teacher may be hard for some at first, but putting learning into the hands of the students can create such a meaningful learning experience for both students and teachers.