WebQuest

Context: The WebQuest was created March 24, 2005 in the Media Lab on campus for Jeff Goodman’s CI 3850 class. This WebQuest allows upper elementary school students to explore the theme “What is art?” while using appropriate Internet research techniques. Macromedia Dreamweaver was used to create the WebQuest.

Impact: This WebQuest will challenge students to use higher order thinking skills by answering the age-old question “What is art?” and supporting their opinions with primary source data. The final version of this WebQuest is a series of linked web pages including an evaluation page and a teacher page.

Alignment: 

NC DPI Standard 6:

• Indicators 1 and 2 through reinforcing basic vocabularies, materials, techniques, and thinking processes of each arts discipline including art, music, theatre, and dance throughout the WebQuest and by providing displaying evidence of having an informed acquaintance with exemplary works of art from a variety of cultures and historical periods.

NC DPI Standard 8:

• Indicator 3 as students research the web and are encouraged to think critically about what they read and write.
• Indicator 4 through the use of interesting articles and graphics, which will encourage students’ enjoyment of reading.
• Indicator 5 by providing the students opportunities to explore the use of different genres of writing and speaking to a variety of audiences including peers and a panel of leaders. 
• Indicator 6 by providing the students web pages created by the teacher and links to other web pages that model Standard English.

NC DPI Standard 11:

• Indicator 1 through the emphasis on communication in this web-based research lesson.

NC DPI Standard 12:

• Standard 12 by integrating and placing value on the arts in elementary curriculum.

NETS-T I-A & I-B: “demonstrate introductory knowledge…” & “demonstrate continual growth…” In order to have created this artifact, I had to have an understanding of concepts related to technology and will be able to easily adapt my artifact in the future as the technology of society changes.

NETS-T II-B: “apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences.” Before creating this artifact, I read a current report about WebQuests called The Learning Power of WebQuests by Tom March.

NETS-T II-D: “plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.” The students are divided into groups, and each person takes on a different role and its corresponding responsibilities. Each student will be responsible for their set of data to collect and will therefore be using close to the same amount of time on the Internet.

NETS-T III-A: “facilitate technology-enhanced experiences…” The WebQuest meets many NCDPI Standards and facilitates their learning through the use of technologies.

NETS-T III-B: “use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.” The WebQuest is set up for group work, supporting a socially constructive environment.

NETS-T III-C: “apply technology to develop students’ higher order thinking skills.” Through completing this WebQuest the students will have had to use several higher order thinking skills such as evaluating and synthesizing their collected data.

NETS-T VI-A: “model and teach legal and ethical practice…” The WebQuest itself is a model for children to follow in citing borrowed items (e.g. pictures) and provides a set of age-appropriate websites for them to access.

NETS-T VI-B: “apply technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities.” All diverse learners will be able to access information that is appropriate to their personal style (e.g. cultural differences, learning differences).