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Discover the advantages of using WebQuests in your biology classroom. As a new teacher, I have unique perspectives on integrating technology to facilitate student learning. WebQuests not only encourage students to explore multiple online resources, but they also enhance computer literacy and foster independent research skills. With a high completion rate and increased engagement, they transform learning into an interactive experience. Learn essential tips for designing effective WebQuests and backup strategies to ensure every student stays on track, regardless of their computer experience.
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Teaching with Webquests September 20th Early dismissal Kevin Jamieson
Who the heck am I? • I currently teach: • Biology I • Foundations of Biology
Why should you be taking advice from a newbie? • I have many things to learn, but I have unique perspectives • I enjoy using technology to facilitate student learning
What is a web-quest? • A web-quest is supposed to involve setting up a website, giving the students a URL and letting them rip • Students are usually expected to answer questions from several websites linked to the site
Webquests are valuable • Students enjoy doing them • Students will do more work on computers than with more conventional methods • Students tend to read more when material is web-based
If you’re still not convinced... • Very high percentage of completion • Computer literacy is an essential part of day to day life in professional America, and many of our students don’t have computers
But, computers are the devil! • True, computers are fallible, and a handout will never crash on a student halfway through an interactive website that had a mile-long URL...
However, there are few things that I can do that make my students jump out of their seats like giving them a web-quest.
Backup plan • Always have a go-to plan. • Worksheets or bookwork are good ideas. • Useful in case the websites take less time to get through than you expected
Webquest design • Tips: • Single page, double-sided • Limit them to ~ 3 websites • There are exceptions to the rule
How many days of computer use should I sign up for ? • One day for experienced users • In this way, I do not feel like I am tying up the ERC too much, but I am taking full advantage of webquests
What about students that need more time? • If a student runs out of time, consider writing them a pass to get them out of a study hall or a lunch period • Remember, as your students get used to the pacing of the work, they will learn the proper pace for a webquest
But why can’t I just print the material off of the ‘net? • If you’re JUST using sites that are mainly text, you do not need to do a web-quest • Seek out at least one or two sites that have some level of student interactivity
Examples • Rock cycle/Erosion webquest • http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0602/es0602page02.cfm • Cell Biology Web-quest • http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/anisamples/nonmajorsbiology/organelles.html
More good sites Emerging scientific issues web-quest http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/coming/