WebQuest Product: A Prezi Slideshow

WebQuest Feedback

A Webquest About Webquests

Elementary Level
Role: The Affiliator
Group 1

Grow School Greens: This project was all about working in groups. The students would design and plant a garden all as a group. One of the objective clearly states "worked together to achieve all of the outcomes." Each student is assigned jobs. After finishing the garden, the students reflect by completing the Group Think brainstorm. The thing I thought may be an obstacle is how long this project would take. It would be a year long process and the students may get bored with the idea.
Where Is My Hero?: The process for this activity involves group collaboration. It starts with discussing the definition of hero in a group and then moves to being assigned groups and receiving certain jobs. Collaboration is also used when group members interview a family member or friend outside of the group and then reporting the information to group members. The following product, a poster, is from the work of a whole group, not just one student. The site says this project is designed for eighth grade students. I think heroism should be taught at a younger grade level such as fifth or sixth. I think the project could have been tweeked a little bit and made for younger students.
Unraveling the Underground Railroad: Students begin by being assigned to groups of four and then deciding on certain roles. Each student fills out a graphic organizer and creates a journal entry alone and then shares it with the group. In the end, the students work together to make an appearance on the Timmy Tom Show where they will be working with the teacher.
We All Scream for Ice Cream: Students start out by doing research in groups and ;istening to eachothers' ideas. The group will work on advertising as a group and complete a poster which will be shared with the class. A con is that the worksheet is done alone so some members may not understand as well as the others.
In the end, the group makes homemade ice cream together. This is a good idea so if it happens that one student's doesn't turn out perfect they don't have to feel left out. The only thing I saw wrong with this project is the educational perspective. I like the whole idea and it seems fun, but I don't see anything educational the students could get out of it.
Ancient Egypt Webquest: This whole project is done in partners. The class is also collaborating with the Egyptian Tourist Bureau. Both the class and the bureau will benefit from this. The students will finish knowing new information that they may not have learned without this project and the bureau will have new brochures. There is a large amount of work for each set of partners. More may be accomplished if the groups were larger and each student wouldn't have to do as much. They could still learn everything by reading the end product.

Blogging

     I like keeping a blog for this class because it's pretty much like an online folder for all the work I've done. It has many different things I can use in the classroom when I start my teaching, so when I do start I can get back on my blog instead of just forgetting the whole class. I want to keep using my blog when I start teaching. The possibilities are endless. I can let students make blogs so that they can get on mine and look at things I've posted such as homework, learning materials etc. A blog can never get lost like paper can. I can post important things I don't want to lose, and then just get back on when I need it.
     I have learned so much in this class so far. I will always remember collaborating with the students to create their stories. This is an example of collective intelligence since we shared knowledge with eachother to complete an end product. It was a great experience and I hope to use it in my future classroom.

My Think Aloud...

Dogisland

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Website Evaluation

Name of page: Dog Island Free Forever
Address/URL: http://www.thedogisland.com/
Date Accessed: March 31, 2011
How did you find the page? Recommended by teacher


What is the domain of the page? .com
Do you feel that the domain type helps add to or lessen the page’s credibility? I think it lessens the page's credibility. If it was .gov or .edu it would add to the credibility.
Is the author of the page identified? No, but it gives names of those associated with the group such as Xiao Min, President and Co-founder. On the bottom of the page with the copyright date it says The Dog Island-Disclaimer, so I think the author would be an organization.


Does the organization have a reputation for credibility? I googled  for the organization and there was nothing except the website I am validating. I think if this were an actual place, there would be many articles about it. There are also spelling and grammatical errors on the page.
Does the organization explain its purpose, mission, goals, or guiding principles? Yes.
Does the organization provide the names of its officers, editors, staff or other major participants? Yes, there is a list of those involved in the organization and their background information, title, and e-mail address.
Does the organization provide contact information (phone, address, or at least an e-mail address)? It provides e-mail addresses for those listed above, but there is no contact information, let alone a name, for the author of the website.
Does the organization appear to filter the information appearing under its name? No
Does the organization display any obvious signs of bias? Yes, they say all home lives for dogs are bad and
unhealthy.
In conclusion, do you think that this organization is qualified to present the information found on its web page? No
Is the purpose of the page clearly stated? Yes, they want to help dogs in need.
What is or appears to be the purpose of the page? To persuade you to send your dog to the island.
Does the page contain advertisements? Yes
Do the ads distract from the page’s content, affect the page’s reliability, or appear to be the main focus of the page? The ads distract from the page's content because all the ads talk about dog training and that has nothing to do with the island.
Might they be necessary to support the organization responsible for the page? They might be the reason this site is on the web.
Who appears to be the intended audience for this information/page? Dog owners.
Does the level or complexity of information provided, the vocabulary used, and the overall tone of the information/page match your needs? I think if this organization were real, they would user higher level vocabulary. There are even some spelling and grammar mistakes.
When was the information on the page created or last updated? It doesn't say. The copyright lasted until 2010.
Are the dates of articles, news stories, newsletters, reports and other publications given? The event calendar only tells the month and day, not the year. News stories and other publications give no date.
Is the page properly maintained or does it have broken links, outdated events calendars or other signs of neglect? All links work but I don't know if the site is outdated since there are no actual dates.
Is the content peer-reviewed, authenticated by experts, or subject to some sort of editorial scrutiny? No
Does the page display any awards given by reliable sources, or link to favorable site reviews by reliable sources? No
Considering your answers to the previous questions, other observations you’ve made, and your overall sense of the page, how reliable does this source seem? The information given and the overall idea seem phony. It tells of things that are not possible. It doesn't seem reliable.
Do you feel that this source is appropriate for your current assignment or information need? Yes
Would you recommend this source to a friend doing similar research? Yes because it's fun to read and humorous.
What reservations, if any, do you have about the source? Nothing other than it's hard to answer the questions about outdatedness when there aren't any dates with years given.



 

Survey Results: Where will you teach after graduating?

Take my survey!

My Social Networking Opinions:

2. Should you accept friend requests if you do not know that person?



I don’t think you should accept requests from people you don’t know. On an online profile, a person usually has personal information such as date of birth, city and state they live in, the school they attend, and sometimes even a telephone number. You don’t want strangers knowing this information about yourself. Sometimes strangers can look at your information even if you haven’t accepted their request. Always make sure you check or have someone else check the security settings on your profile and make needed changes. Some people will accept requests if they can see a lot of their friends are also friends with the person, but your friends could be accepting strangers’ requests and may not really know them.


29. Do you think it should be up to schools to educate students about social networking?



I think it is a very good idea to teach about social networking in schools. Most students will probably use it in the future or they already are, and they need to know about it. Schools should teach about the security on social networking sites and how to have a safe profile. They should teach the students about the dangers. Instead of trying to keep them off the sites, we should educate them so they can be safe, since they will eventually create a profile anyways. Many parents do not know about using the internet, blogging, or creating a profile on these sites. This is why the schools should educate on the subject so we can ensure they know about the dangers and how to stay secure.

How skills can kill & promote creativity ...

     Sir Ken Robinson makes some very good points. He thinks schools need to notice and focus on students' differences in order for them to be able to be creative. Students aren't all the same so therefore they don't all learn the same. We need to pay attention and accomodate to all different types of learners. He also speaks about how schools don't prepare the students to be wrong which is needed for creativity. Schools frighten them from exploring and taking chances. He says teachers need to also embrace the students' talents and not insist on them all being good at the same things.
     The reading sends the general message that those in the education program can be creative and change the way education is done. Teachers can improve education by simply changing the way things are done. We need to be creative and make great change by coming up with new ideas and trying different things. While doing these things the teachers cannot give up because there most definitely will be many obstacles. When a teacher brainstorms it can create great change for the students. Teach the students lessons that they can apply to themselves, or incorporate application into any lesson. The teacher can incorporate his or her personal interests into teaching so that students realize what they learn can be applied to the real world.
     If I could've told anything about myself to my high school and middle school teachers, it would've probably been that I had so many ideas but I was not good at expressing myself and speaking up. I am still somewhat like this but not as much.

Learning Style Test

    My results from the Learning Style Test are as follows: 6 for both visual and kinesthetic, 5 for reading/writing, and 3 for aural. I feel the test is accurate because I have always been a visual learner. I learn best when I can see something. If a teacher gives me diagrams, written instructions, or notes with the main points listed it really helps me out. I was a little more surprised when I saw that I had scored a 6 for kinesthetic, but then I realized that hands-on learning is really helpful to me when I am trying to grasp a concept. I learned that in my science classes I have always understood concepts better when doing labs rather than the teacher just talking about it. This takes us to my low score on aural learning. I do not have a very long attention span, so when a teacher never switches up her teaching style, I tend to zone out. After the class is over, I realize I didn't learn anything the whole second half of the class. I was also surprised about my score on reading and writing. Before a test, I usually read the chapters and seem to get pretty good grades. I started thinking about it and realized that although I do learn from reading, I learn way better visually and kinesthetically. When trying to learn something new or study for a test I should write vocabulary words or facts down so I can see them infront of me. I should also request to do more hands-on activities in class for the concepts that are more difficult so us kinesthetic learners can have the same opportunities to learn.

I just made a new Voki. See it here:

Students Using Edmodo

     The number one reason the students liked using Edmodo to publish their writing is what I expected it to be. They liked sharing their stories with us, Fairmont State students, and with their fellow classmates. They also liked getting feedback or as one student wrote, "it is fun having FSU students add to the story." Their favorite writing activity seemed to be the collaborative writing project. I remember when I was young and I thought it was so exciting to speak with older girls, so I thought it was really cute when one student wrote "I loved it because we got to talk to older people."
     I learned a lot through these collaborative projects. The main thing I learned and will always make myself remember is that you have to switch things up to keep students motivated to learn and do well on their work. This group of students seemed excited and interested while doing the projects. On Skype, I remember their teacher mentioning that they didn't complain once about having to write. Using the internet, collaboration, or both is a great way to switch things up.
     I would definitely incorporate a collaborative project using a microblogging tool into lessons for my students. I am a third grade teacher and there are many other elementary schools nearby where I know teachers. I talk to a third grade teacher at one of these elementary schools and ask her if she would want to collaborate. We discuss what our upcoming lessons are, and we are both going to be teaching about writing with descriptive words. We create a project where both of our classes will get on a microblogging site and write a story with as many descriptive words as they can think of, and which of course make sense. The next day each class will look at the other classes' stories. They look to see where more descriptive words can be inserted, and if they want to, add on a couple more sentences. They write these as a comment to the other student. Similar to our collaborative project, the students can get new ideas and be creative.

Magazine Cover

Comparing pictures of Obama at the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Obama looks a little bit down and confused in this picture. He looks very concerned though. The picture sends a message that he is thinking very hard on how to fix the problem. He is in control since he is actually working on the problem instead of goofing off and having fun. His facial expressions send all of these messages. Those who were upset about the oil spill would probably relate to this picture better than the other one. Since he is more serious in this photo I feel more confident in his ability to respond to a disaster. I can't really tell, but I think there are books in the background. They send the message that he is hard at work and studying to find a solution. His serious attitude sends a much better message than the picture below does.

At first glance, Obama looks like he is up and working hard to fix the problem. He has his team and they are focused on the problem. He looks in control. When you take a closer look they are all laughing. It looks like he is not serious about the issue at all, so he is really not in control. People who were very concerned and upset about the oil spill may have gotten angry about this picture. He does not seem concerned at all. If I wasn't told this was a picture focusing on the oil spill, I would've thought him and his buddies had just taken a boat ride and were just having fun. Some of them even look like they just got done playing golf. His nonverbal gestures tell a lot. It shows that he's very laid back, but in this situation he should be contemplating what to do. The background seems more serious with the American flags and guards. The people do not fit the same tone as the background.

Relationship between media literacy skills & traditional literacy skills...

     When first thinking of relating these two, I see them as almost exactly the same. A piece of literature online is just like reading a printed book that hasn't been printed yet. When looking for the date of publication, author, or title you may have to search a little harder instead of just looking in the first couple of pages. When I first thought about it, the skills were all in all the same. After I read more of "Teaching Media Literacy" by Jane David and heard others' ideas it had me thinking harder about the topic and considering other opinions. The biggest difference between the two is that students have to examine online information more carefully to see if it valid since anybody can post information online, but there are skills that can be taught and learned that deal with easily determining validity. If a student went to a library they could assume that all the information was correct, but they would never know what was valid online unless they had the skills necessary to determine this. Information is easier to find online rather than going through page after page in a book. Learning, for most students, is more interesting and keeps their attention if online. The downfall may be that all students do not have internet access outside of school to work on homework. Also, students may have internet access at home but their parents may have no skills whatsoever, so if the student needs help with an assignment their parents couldn't help. Parents almost always can assist with book work if willing. I strongly feel media literacy skills will get students much further in the future compared to traditional. As I always say, my opinion may change or stay the same after I have had experience in teaching both media literacy skills and traditional literacy skills.

My digital story on teaching ...

Digital Storytelling

     I think, in some ways, digital storytelling can promote the same kind of learning that comes from writing an essay or research paper. This is only if the teacher uses them in the correct way. Digital storytelling can help students retain the information faster and easier compared to writing on paper. That is, the skills that can be attained through this method. After watching the "Power of One" video, I realized the student has to do the same amount of research as they would have to do for a research paper. It is just like they are reading their paper aloud instead of turning it in on paper. The student can express themself more clearly through a digital story by adding pictures, showing emotion in their own voice, and adding music to help set the mood. This also helps engage listeners. The teacher who had his 4th graders make a video on global warming seemed like he incorporated many of the same teaching techniques used for writing an essay or research paper. It also made the students get excited about learning--an effect teachers don't usually get from students writing papers.
     I also think there are some skills that need to be developed through writing that can't be developed through digital stories, so I would not recommend to make all assignments digital stories. These skills could include things such as formatting and documentation types. Written assignments may teach grammar and punctuation better. I have just been introduced to the concept of digital storytelling, so my idea on it verses traditional writing may change after I learn more about it. Right now my feelings are mutual. I think there are pros and cons for each method, and I will use both of them in the classroom.

-Kelsey Atkinson

"No Books, No Problem: Teaching Without a Text"

     I agree with Ruth's opinion that students learn more without a textbook. Having been assigned many readings from textbooks, the first couple of paragraphs make sense and then it all becomes a blur after that. The information isn't retained as well compared to when the teacher can help the students make connections to the information. Although, I do think some textbooks come in handy for certain subjects. For example, I was required to buy "The Brief Penguin Handbook" for my first college english class. Since then I have used the book for almost every class for things like citing sources and formatting. I agree with Ruth that the process of ditching the textbook should be a gradual one otherwise it could put a lot of stress on the teacher and possibly backfire.
     The previous article linked me to Ansary's "A Textbook Example of What's Wrong with Education." If anyone should know what is wrong with textbooks it would be her since she was involved in creating them. I agree with her opinion that the textbook is very crucial for most teachers. I think some teachers see their textbook as a security blanket and couldn't fathom the idea of teaching without one, but if they were given more information on teaching without them they could possibly consider it. Ansary points out the fact that most textbook publishers are using the same strategies. This is why most are boring. It's the same thing over and over again. Textbooks may help the student more if the publishers were more creative and put themselves in the position of a student. This is why some teachers are getting rid of boring textbooks and using their own creativity to teach. Teachers should not focus on how everyone else is teaching but what works best for their students, right?

Kelsey Atkinson

About Me ...

My name is Kelsey Atkinson. I am from Ravenswood, WV which is in Jackson County. My major is Elementary Education, and I really want to teach kindergarten or first grade. I think young children learn, most of all, by example. To be a teacher you have to set a very good example. Most children need some one-on-one attention so they can understand clearly. For this kind of attention, I would have them work on a project that they could work on by themselves while I went around the room to help each student individually. I also very strongly believe each student learns in a different way from their fellow classmates, so a teacher needs to mix up his or her way of teaching and not teach the same way every time.