webquestMy WebQuest focuses on the question "How do our daily actions impact the Rappahannock River?" The students will gain understanding on their local watershed, human impacts and how they can make a difference. I used the Rappahannock River because of our locality, but this may be changed to fit any watershed. I really enjoyed making this WebQuest for students. As a student, I always enjoyed being given direction from the teacher and then being able to take the subject and further my learning experience with creativity. My WebQuest enables students to do just this with local water quality issues using technology and collaboration. I found it very important to streamline the technology components so that the process for each task would be similar. I mostly used Google Documents because they are very user-friendly and allow for the teacher to periodically check on each team in a matter of seconds. Students will be assessed formatively and summatively in this WebQuest. They will be assessed formatively through periodic Google Document checks. It will be important for the teacher to monitor each team's progress with the tasks as well as if each student is commenting and working collaboratively with their peers. The teacher should comment on their progress and encourage the team. They will be assessed summatively on their newspaper article or letter to the Editor and it's inclusion of specific points. Overall, through making this WebQuest I learned how to put my students in the driver's seat while supporting them and the standards along the way. Every student should be able to explore and make their own decisions in the classroom. WebQuests are great tools for making this happen. activity 4What Can I Do? Students will investigate their effect on the Rappahannock River's water quality using problem based learning and technology. Individually, students will learn what they can do in their daily lives to help improve the local water quality. Students will then write a two page essay on their thoughts using Google Documents. This technology enables the teacher and other students to comment and make suggestions on their essays. They will be learning about their impacts and also how to work together successfully. Using Google Documents enables real time updates and reviews on the student's assignment. Not only can the teacher see what the student is doing, but they can also help scaffold their learning experience. Also, this technology also enables students to help one another and learn together. I enjoyed using Google Documents for this activity because I think it is a useful tool for my students to learn. I use this tool almost every day to work with co-workers and partners for proposals and project ideas. Students will especially find this tool useful for group projects in the future.
activity 3Bringing Rocks to Life Students will further investigate the rock cycle using technology and their personal creativity and interests. In pairs, students will learn to use a timeline software called Capzles to present their rock type and example in a interactive format. This activity will enable students to present information in a different format than the traditional PowerPoint or essay. They will also learn about working together successfully. Using Capzles incorporates the Technology Integration Matrix through active engagement, collaboration with partners, and constructive presentations. The students become engaged learners who shape their own understanding in this activity. They also have choice which makes the students feel like they have a voice in their education. I enjoyed using Capzles because it gave me new ideas for bringing my lessons to life in a more interesting way. It also transformed the poster timelines that I made in school to something the students can better relate to and manipulate.
activity 2My presentation is made for 9th graders and opens the discussion on cyber bullying. The main theme of my presentation is braking the cycle. It is important for all students to learn this but especially freshmen. They are often coming into a new school, bottom of the totem pole, where the school community is already built. Although it may be difficult, this is the time that the "new kids on the block" can change the community to be more inclusive and happy. I made my presentation group oriented for this very reason. Our students can actively make a difference and why not start with how to treat one another? Cyber bullying is like a virus and can infect anyone. Let's make sure the next generation has the vaccination against it. activity 1Rocks Really ROCK! Students will investigate the origins of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock types through hands-on examples and technology. Partner groups will utilize QR codes around the room to explore a website that will explain each rock type in full detail, even with a song! There will be three stations, one for igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, with examples the students can pick up and investigate. Afterwards, students will work individually to further probe for information on each rock type using reliable internet sources. They will write a reflective final report including each rock type. Students will also learn the skill of making their very own QR codes and cite their source using one! QR Codes that will be around the classroom I am technically a digital native, but through this exercise I have found that I do not feel "native" at all, but I am intrigued. Digital natives need to feel like they are actively participating in the formation of their education path. They want to be "hands-on", even if that means using their thumbs on a phone and fingers on a keyboard. I have learned that I can equip my students with the knowledge needed on the SOLs while making it fun using technology. I can take them through the woods or water quality testing and use technology in a multitude of ways. I could have QR codes along our hike so they could see and read about the location during a different time period: this would be really cool historically speaking along the Rappahannock River! Students could also enter data they collected during water quality testing online and compare it and see what others are finding online. This opens a number of doors!
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