WebQuests

What is a WebQuest?
A Webquest is an assignment - basically a webpage tool for a classroom-based assignment in which all or most of the information for the assignment is found on the internet. Students can seach for information via inquiries into a search engine and get their information from web pages on the internet and other resources on the internet. The assignment is contained in the WebQuest page online, along with all details the students need to complete the assignment appropriately - such as rubrics and even forms or worksheets.

What are the essential parts of the WebQuest and what skills do students use to complete each part?

The 6 essential parts are:

1. Introduction - students would need to be able to read or have access to someone who can read the page/s for them and would need to be able to comprehend the concept of the assignment or project.
2. Task - again, students would need to have the comprehension skills to understand the specific task being assigned by the project.
3. Process - students would need to understand how to do one item before the other and would have to be able to use the computer to complete each step in the procss.
4. Resources - students would need to have working knowledge of how to use the computer and how to navigate to sites on the internet.
5. Evaluation - the students would need to be able to read and understand the grading rubrics so that they are aware of what the teacher is looking for in their work while completing the assignment.
6. Conclusion - students must be able to reflect on what they have learned and put it all together into a summary of their experience/findings while doing the project.

How can WebQuests be used in the classroom?
WebQuests can be used to teach subjects such as social studies or science, or for creative assignments with problems that have more than one possible solution or outcome. Lessons and subjects that require higher-level thinking are perfect for a webquest assignment.
Some examples of how a webquest can be used in the classroom are:

An endangered animal project like the ones I researched for my WebQuest evaluations - a zoo is given money to create a habitat for an endangered animal - but you have to research and present the one animal you think is the best choice and support your reason as to why you selected this animal.

Another idea might be to have students research and design a space station.

One other idea might be to have students do a project on traveling back in time to study a subject that could help save the environment or a subject that would help us understand a historical event or ancient people - such as how dinosaurs became extinct or ancient Egypt and their society. They would have to determine which event/subject is the most important to study and present ideas on how what they would learn would help us today.

My Class Newsletter

How can I make my classroom newsletter worth reading?

There are many tools I could use to make my newsletter look great and appeal to parents. First off - I want to make sure the content is relevant and informative without being too long and too much to read. I want to add visual interest with graphics, such as borders and clip art and creative use of font and text. I think the most important tool to use would be artwork and pictures from a digital camera. Parents and students LOVE to see themselves in a newsletter and pictures are a great way to give them a quick snapshot of daily life in a classroom. I also think that including some of the student's work - either artwork or quotes from papers (anonymous) is a wonderful way to add to a newsletter. Other tools you could use in an online version (you could be sure to print the website address in your take-home copy) are streaming audio or video of events in the classroom. That is a neat tool to use because it really gives the parents the feeling of "being there", and would encourage the use of the technology.
Most importantly, I do believe that it is important to be thorough - but you do not want to overwhelm them with information because they will not read through all of it if there is too much - and you don't want to waste more paper than is necessary. Providing parents with information about what they can find on the school website, such as monthly lunch and school event calendars and upcoming events school-wide, is also a great thing to add to a newsletter. Some parents might not even think about checking the site for info.

Concept Mapping

What has been your experience with concept mapping in the classroom?
I have absolutely no experience with concept mapping at all - but it looks like a fun way to visually see your ideas come to life!

In your own words, what are some benefits to using concept-mapping software in the classroom?
I think some of the benefits of using concept-mapping software are that it allows students to really SEE their ideas and expand on them with creative tools using color, sound, graphics, all the while they are thinking and brainstorming with each other to create a really wonderful visually organized thought pattern. It touches multiple learning styles as well - allowing a student to use creativity to show their thoughts instead of sitting in front of a blank piece of paper and having to write them all out, this tool gives them a variety of ways to express those thoughts and ideas. It is also a new way to show their understanding of concepts, or help them to arrange steps or information about difficult-to-grasp concepts in a way that will help them learn the content better.

What are some of the similarities and/or differences in how concept maps are used in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools?
The similarities are that it is allowing students with various learning styles a new tool to help express themselves and show their creativity and understanding of subjects and content. The differences are in how they are being used - Kindergarteners might us it to write their own books, while high school students might us it to prepare for achievement tests. This tool is helping all students to organize their thoughts and enhance their learning experience.

Classroom Website Podcast Blog

Part one of the Podcast discussed the differences between creating a website from scratch and using a free online tool. What are some of the pros and cons of each option?

Scratch Pros - Personal creativity and preferred domain name
Cons - Can be expensive, takes more time

Free tool Pros - they have existing templates, some offer email accounts, easy to use, fast
to create
Cons - domain name may be unattractive, rules & limitations may apply as to use and
ownership of the website

Part two of the Podcast suggested five things that should be included on a classroom website, describe all five.
1. Syllabus of the class - any directions, project descriptions, worksheets, lessons
2. Useful links
3. Memos, policies
4. Grades, attendance (if allowed by the district and not already taken care of by the school/district)
5. Contact info at school - email, phone, office hours. Do not post any personal info.

Part three of the Podcast explained five steps to take when you start to create your own website, summarize all five.
1. Outline what you want your website to be about, make notes and figure out what you want your website to look like and contain
2. Find other sites you like and ask yourself why you like them - the layout? content? colors? and see if there are any aspects you might like to borrow.
3. Think about your users - does the site work for them, is it user-friendly and does it make sense.
4. Budget time for uploading/updating - set it aside each week to keep your site up to date as it may take longer at times depending on what you need to upload.
5. Determine how you will get your site up and running - what source will you use to do this? Will you buy software, use a free online site, will you have a website or a blog? Will you use a pagebuilder or FTP?

That is what I learned from the Podcast!

Reflections on Evaluating & Searching

After doing this project, searching for websites to use for the subject I selected, I found that the new tools I learned were helpful. It was easier for me to find information than in the past. Specifically, I liked the "similar to" option. It helped to weed out websites and narrow down my search to other sites with information similar to the first one I found and evaluated and decided to use. I would certainly use this tool in my classroom to help develop a list of appropriate and functional websites to share with my students for projects utilizing web searches. I would recommend all of the tools we learned in this project to colleagues. It really helps to narrow your search and wade through all the extraneous sites out there that are not really related to what you are seaching for - saving you alot of time and effort wasted on clicking on and reading a bunch of sites you do not need or want.

Top 10 Reasons to Evaluate Websites

The list I have come up with for reasons to evaluate websites is as follows - they are not in any specific order:

Accuracy - is the info correct and accurate? Are there links to other accurate sites to support the information on this site? Check out the information - make sure it is good and accurate.

Appropriateness - is the site safe and appropriate for use by the age group intending to use it? Make sure this is a safe website before allowing it to be accessed.

Authority - is the author an authority on the topic, are they credible and what credentials do they have? Is it easy to find their credentials? Make sure the author is trustworthy.

Objectivity - is the information being presented in an unbiased manner or is this website a platform for the author's personal opinions? If you are looking for real facts and information, then the website should not be a personal platform.

Currency - are the dates current, does it look like the site is kept updated with changing/new information? Make sure that the information is being kept current.

Coverage - how much depth of information is there on the website about the subject being presented? Does the site meet your needs or the needs of the students using it? Make sure the site will provide you or your students with the information they are looking for - make sure it is thorough.

Ease of use - how easy is it to use the website? You want a website that is easy to navigate and does not take forever to open.

What is the intended audience - does the website read and present appropriately for the audience it is intended to be utilized by? Make sure the information is age-appropriate for the audience it is intened for - if it reads over their heads or below their level, it is most likely not a good resource. Don't be afraid to ask the author about this - why it doesn't seem to correlate.

What is the websites purpose - is this site meant to teach the user information or is it trying to sell you something or get you to download something from their site? If it is meant to give information, they you should not have to buy something.

Is the site accessible to all students, including those with special needs - can the site be utilized by all who look at it or does it only provide information in written text, or only via graphics, or only via voice? If you know the site will not work for some students, keep looking - and don't be afraid to let the author know that they are missing a population of their audience by not providing the information in different formats.

Can I share this with other people - check out your information before passing it on - if you feel comfortable with the answers to your evaluation process - then share the info, if you do not feel comfortable, it most likely is not something that would be good to pass on to another user.

What do you think?

How has the internet changed our concept of information?

Our concept of information has changed due to the internet in that there is so much more information so readily available using this tool that ever before. It is a wonderful tool that opens up the world for users, however with that opportunity and access to information comes the risk of getting poor or completly untrue information. I think that we are learning to do our homework when we look for information online, to really scrutinize the sources of the information before we take it as being true or useful knowledge. It is also so much easier to share information using the internet. We have learned to communicate using this tool with a much larger audience than we have had access to in the past. With this larger audience I think our awareness of what is ethical and moral, as well as what our responsibility as a user of this tool is to our audience, is growing.

What computer and internet skills do you think children should learn so that they will be prepared for life in the Information Age?

First off I feel that aside from basic working knowledge of a computer and how to access the internet, children need to learn to be moral and ethical users of technology. They must learn that once you put something out there - it is out there for the world to see as well as learning that not all information on the internet is correct or appropriate or even safe. As adults it is our responsibility to evaluate what is appropriate for our children.
Children need to be taught appropriate use of resources like search engines and other online research tools so that they will be aware of how to look for good information. They need to learn (as we are in this class) how to evaluate what they are seeing and how to spot the good from the bad. Other tools they need to know about and learn proper use of are email, proper and appropriate use of chat rooms or discussion/bulletin boards, streaming music and video, and the use of devices that work with your computer such as cameras and other equipment. Proper and safe use of personal web space such as webpages and blogs is also so important, because again, once they put something out there - it is out there for the whole world to see.
Aside from the actual equipment, children need to learn about software, file types, different programs and other computer-related information and terminology to help them navigate this new world easier. They will need to learn about tools to help them organize such as Outlook and tools that could help them learn online such as video-conferencing or Blackboards such as the one we use for this course.
Overall, children learning in the Information Age have much they need to know in order to utilize such a wonderful tool with ease, while being safe and using good judgement.

The possibilities are limited only by

our imaginations! (Well, that and unfortunately, our wallets, at times.) I read these 3 articles and watched the video (same as article #1) and was actually teary-eyed a few times watching these amazing students FIND A WAY! Find a way to speak, write, read, play music, communicate, learn, LIVE!!! That is what struck me the most about this material, the sheer determination of these students and those educators and family members helping them to fulfill their dreams and experience so many different facets of life all with the help of AT. I was very moved by the young man playing the tuba. Before his adaptive tools were available to him, he would just sit and wait to play one note.......one single note, and he did this with the passion of any young musician. The fact that he would not remain satisfied with one note and wanted so much to play his instrument, pushed those around him to help him find a way. I was amazed at this piece because I have never seen adaptive devices used in this manner. It really just touched me and made me start to wonder about the students I work with and the "what if's".......
The other piece in the video and article #1 that I found inspiring was the young woman, Susanna who is a sophmore at Univ. Washington. I was saying to myself, GO MOM, when she mentioned that she never had a laptop in high school. That it was her mom, who "knows how to get through the red tape", who finally demanded and got her this crucial tool to help her learn. Again, the support and encouragement of those people in the lives of these students is so powerful. Once they gain the tools they need, the sky is the limit. They can go forward and pursue their goals just like the non-diabled peers they go to school with. I hope she does achieve her goal of being a news anchor!
Article #2 Eli, Taba, and Camille, all students in Hana, Hawaii at a remote school. This article showed me that these tools can be available wherever you are, wherever they are needed. As an educator, you have to be dedicated to obtaining access to the tools needed to help each individual student. All three of these students used different tools, and all three improved their educational experience tremendously. I loved reading how Taba went from missing school frequently because he did not enjoy school before getting AT, to loving school!
Article #3 was inspirational as well. The way the teacher in Almeda county is utilizing so many tools to teach was so awesome to me. So often teachers can be nervous about the new and the different. Those that embrace these tools are to be seriously applauded. They are removing those obstacles in the way of creating success for ALL students - and that is such a gift. I also liked how they were using peer volunteers who have been trained to assist students with their AT. This provides training and experience for those students that will go forward with them in life, and will be valuable skills to have. I also like the list of different scenarios at the beginning of the article explaining different circumstances/students and what was being done to help them find success in their environments.

As educators we must pursue funding and access to all tools which will enable our students to find success, independence and greater self-esteem.

What do I know about Assistive Technology?

I work with children in my position that use a variety of AT tools. A general definition in my mind is that AT includes all types of adaptive/assistive devices that promote greater independence for a person with a disability. The tools help that person to perform tasks they might have not been able to perform, or might have had a difficult time performing without the use of an adaptive or assistive device. There are alot of AT devices/tools available. Some examples of AT are:

Computers and software
Communication devices such as talking devices
Visual devices
Hearing devices such as hearing aids or voice amplifying devices
Motorized wheelchairs and lifts
Physical assistive/adaptive devices

I have worked with all of the above. I am sure there are other areas I have not mentioned. I have used all of the forms of AT listed above on a daily basis at one point or another in my position. I am always open to learning about new tools to help my students achieve greater independence.

Blog #3 - My personal skills in 3 categories on the NETS-T

The catgories I selected to reflect on my own personal skills/experience are:
1. Technology Operations and Concepts

I feel somewhat confident in this area. I have taken a few computer classes and use the computer regularly. I do not have in-depth knowledge in all areas, but enough to navigate and utilize the computer successfully for a number of purposes. I understand the uses for technology (various tools) and I feel I can correctly select and use applications effectively and productively. I can use MSWord well, Excel a bit (and am enjoying the opportunity to use it more in this class), and can work my way through PowerPoint. Along with these computer appications, I have used several communication devices such as TechTalk and GoTalk which are Boardmaker devices. I can upload photos from cameras, use cameras for chats, and use printers/fax machines/scanners with ease. I can troubleshoot minor issues, and would like more training in this area. I do feel capable to transfer my knowledge to others in a clear and concise manner.
I would always welcome new information and the opportunity to learn even more about the usage of different technology tools.

2. Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum

I am an avid user of technological resources with students. The students I work with often have language and physical limitations. Using the computer has been an amazing resource. It gives many of my students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge where they might not have been able to do so otherwise due to their disabilities. Using simple tools like the keyboard or touchscreens opens up avenues of expressions for some students and I use them regularly. Software of all kinds is anther tool I use on a daily basis. I am constantly researching and looking for new ways to use the computer in my classroom setting. I regularly research online tools as well as new software applications which might be useful and appropriate for my students based on their abilities and their age. I always have access to a dedicated computer for these students, therefore they are never limited in their access to curriculum that is both useful and necessary to their learning experience.
Although I feel confident in this area, I am always open to new resources to find appropriate and newly-developed programs which I can incorporate into my ever-growing collection of effective tools.

3. Productivity and Professional Practice

This is another area in which I feel confident. A good example of this is this very course. I have continually utilized technology to enhance my own learning experiences. Whether it is an online course, or using the computer for research, it is a vital tool in my professional (and personal) development. I utilize the computer to generate lessons, email colleagues, take classes, research ideas and tools, explore the internet for personal interests, creative tasks, and many, many other things. One very large part of using technology for me is communication with others. This is an area that is a part of my everyday life. I constantly use this tool to stay in touch with others, both professionally and personally. I utilize email tools, webpages, and video chats as well as other interactive tools such as virtual chats or instant messaging.
I am always open to learning new and better ways to communicate via technology. It is a vital part of my life.

Within the other categories I did not select, there are some points I feel confident and competent in, and others I would like more training in. Specifically the area of using technology as an assessment tool.

NETS-S Categories - How schools/teachers can support mastery

The 2 categories I selected for this portion of the NETS-S discussion are basic technology operations and technology foundation standards. I feel that it is imperative to technology instruction that schools provide funding and ongoing educational resources to their teachers so that in turn the teachers can present the latest information to their students during instruction and presentation of these tools. Having inservices and contacts for all educators (including the administration) to utilize is a necessary piece of continuing education. I believe that it is important to bring some of this information to the users, not to alwasy expect the users to have go out looking for it on their own. I also think it is important to incorporate usage of technology tools into the everyday life of teachers and administrators. This provides them with a place to practice and hone their skills and understanding in a real-life arena. These methods of support will help to ensure that students are mastering the performance indicators in these two categories by equipping those who teach them with the tools they need to teach effectively.

NETS-S Categories I feel are important

Two of the six categories of the NETS-S that I feel are important to learn are the categories of digital citizenship/ethical/responsible/safe practices and the use of technology tools in collaboration and communication.

Digital citizenship and the use of technology systems in a safe and ethical manner is so important for students to learn. The Internet can be a dangerous place for students if they are not taught how to use this tool safely and given guideline to follow for nettiquette. It is important to monitor their usage and to discuss with them the proper respect they should show when sending out information into this medium.
Along with being respectful to others, students must also be taught to respect the actual physcial tools they are using to communicate/learn with. Proper care of equipment should be taught to all students to help ensure that they are careful and responsible when using the equipment. Overall, I beleive that learning respect and ethical behavior should be something that is taught in all venues to help students to become responsible members of society.

It is important to have the technology skills that will allow you to communicate and collaborate with others, not only to be a successful student, but also to be successful and competent out in the real "working world". Nowadays so much communication is done via technological tools, such as email, blogs, wikis, and other Internet resources. It is important to have the skills which will enable you to use these tools properly and clearly. Using these tools allow you to work with others across distances effectively and quickly when they are used properly.

Blogs in My Future Classroom

My goal is to work in a Special Education Preschool or in a Pre-K through 3rd grade setting as an Autism Intervention Specialist. I can think of many ways in which I could use Blogs as a tool for furthering my own education and for doing research on Autism. Using Blogs with the students, or for direct teaching of my students would be more challenging due to the type of disability, but I think there are ways in which some Blogs could be used as motivators for some students. For instance, if you find one that is particularly appealing to them or has something to do with a subject they are interested (or in some cases fixated on) in, you could use a visit to that Blog as part of a reward system for completion of work or as a reward for positive behavior. I currently use the computer in this manner by allowing a student to view websites and videos online of subject matter they like when they complete academic requirements during the course of their day.

Most classrooms have access to computers now, so utilizing Blogs would be fairly easy to do right within the learning environment a student is comfortable working and learning in. For the student who can read and write, a Blog could be a great tool to inspire them to journal and express themselves if they are able. A Blog is also a great tool for a teacher to use to keep in touch with parents of the students in their class.

Overall - I think that using a Blog could be a great tool to help facilitate learning.