For this honors project, I created a WebQuest designed for third grade students. I was able to compile different web sites and create a lesson plan on-line pertaining to these creatures. (To view my WebQuest, click on the computer courses link and look under computer science). Then, after creating a WebQuest I was able to teach it to a third grade class at an elementary school in Mesa, AZ. Below is a reflective piece of writing that was done after my teaching experience. Included in this paper is what I learned about myself as a teacher, how to improve my WebQuest, and an overall analysis of the entire experience. I hope that viewers learn more about WebQuests and enjoy reading my reflection entitled, WebQuest in Action.
On November 5, 2004, at
First of all, I have learned more about myself as a teacher. I really feel that you cannot learn by seeing. I believe that you learn by doing. For instance, I have learned that being clear and precise when giving directions is essential to having a smooth lesson. I learned this the hard way. I was not clear and precise in my directions; instead I was very vague. This created so many problems. Since the students did not understand me completely all of their tiny hands shot in the air, and I had to explain everything at least four or five times. Not only does this waste time, but it is stressful on the teacher’s part. On a positive note though, I learned that I have the ability to invite humor and smiles to the students’ faces. I am a very animated speaker around children and even though this may be dorky around adults, students love it when their teacher is crazy. As a result, I had a lot of fun teaching, and they had a lot of fun learning. That was great. It made up for the rough start when I was not clear.
After learning about myself as a teacher, presenting this WebQuest gave me the privilege of making changes and improving it based on the students’ reaction to it. When I presented it, I used the teacher’s computer and projection equipment and had the students follow along with me as I went through it. I thought it would be better if we did it together so that we could finish the entire WebQuest in 35 minutes. I was wrong. Doing a WebQuest together was actually a bad idea. It was a bad idea because there were a handful of students who were so fast that they would finish and then be bored. There were also a handful of students who were behind and, therefore, I had to spend most of my time catching them up. The next time I present a WebQuest I will let the students go at their own pace, and I will walk around so that I am accessible if they need my help. (Not to mention, even doing it together we still did not finish the entire thing.) The third graders’ teacher brought something else I learned to my attention. He really liked the bat puzzle that I had in my WebQuest. He said that a lot of kids do not do puzzles anymore because of computer games and television. The puzzle was stimulating because you can choose how many pieces you want. I thought that third graders could do the twelve piece puzzle so I started them out with twelve pieces. They finished rather rapidly. Then, I decided that they could move on to the twenty piece puzzle. Therefore, when they were finished with the twelve pieces, I had them move on to the harder puzzle. This is where I learned my second lesson from their teacher. After about ten minutes the students were not even close to finishing. I was getting anxious, and I wanted to move on to the bat quiz I had prepared. Their teacher told me to wait a few more minutes. He said that this puzzle was a challenge for them and so it is a good thing. He said to hold off and watch what happens. Luckily, I took his advice. All it took was a little time and each and every student finished the puzzle. I now understand that challenges are all right and it helps them to really think. I also realized that I need to be more patient and not rush students through assignments. Finally, I learned that class discussions are wonderful. At the end of the WebQuest I had a link that allowed them to explore a bat cave. They loved this! While we were looking at the pictures I decided that I would ask some questions about the pictures. This worked out great. We talked about stalactites and stalagmites and other insects that live in caves. They were talking, learning, and having a good time. I really felt like I was teaching. Having this discussion was the only positive thing about doing a WebQuest together as a class.
Overall it was a good experience. This class did not learn as much about bats as the other third grade classes, so their teacher was grateful I did this with them. The teacher never heard of a WebQuest before and was very impressed with it. We did not have time to complete the whole thing and he asked me if I would come back and finish it the following Friday. I would have loved to but I had other obligations already and the worksheet was fire walled from their computers, so we really could not have completed it anyways. I asked the lab tech why it was fire walled and she said that they have a very strict system and if there was anything like blood on the bat or something similar it would have blocked it. I am glad I had this opportunity at Falcon Hill.
Images at: http://www.harlingen.tstc.edu/oss/images/j0078706.gif
http://www.usps.com/history/anrpt00/images/puzzle.gif
http://www.nv.blm.gov/Winnemucca/non_renewable/bats/bat1.jpg
http://www.murray.k12.ky.us/our_schools/mes/MES%20Virtual%20Tour/computer%20lab.jpg
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