Learning+Indicators+and+Best+Use

[|It’s a Wonderful Life] : WebQuest by Kim Hicks and Modified by Rochelle Waghorn Review for Engaged Learning Indicators by: Shawn Banks


 * WebQuest Introduction: “**What if someone in history was never born? Abe Lincoln, Socrates, Mozart, and the list goes on? What would happen to history? What would be different today? This is an interesting topic to tackle in a history class. It helps students think of alternative situations that may have impacted the world if history was rewritten. Teacher Introduction Allowing students to research a historical figure from the time of birth to death and the impact that person has on our lives today gives students a valuable lesson about each individual and allows them to create a world of their own.” (Hicks)


 * Included Indicator Analysis:**
 * Vision-** In this WebQuest, students are responsible for their learning by choosing their biography subject, researching their subject’s accomplishments, writing their biography, and synthesizing how life would be different without that individual.


 * Tasks-** The task is multidisciplinary because the project is inherently historical, it can also touch on mathematics and science, while utilizing grammatical skills.


 * Assessment-** The assessment is performance-based as the students upon completing their subjects biography will have to present their findings to the class.


 * Instructional Model-** The instruction model is generative by providing meaning to the subjects life and illustrating to the student the difference one person can make in world history.


 * Learning Context-** The project could be empathetic, depending on the subject chosen by the student. The students have an almost limitless pool of famous people to choose from who come from diverse backgrounds.


 * Teacher’s Role-** The teacher fulfills the role of guide through this process by providing the WebQuest, refocusing the student when necessary, but allows the student to come up with their own subject and theories on how life would be different without their subject.


 * Students’ Roles-** Students get to be explorers through the research process. They are left to seek out information on their own with a few starters.


 * Access-** The project is connective with students utilizing the internet for the initial WebQuest and subsequent research.


 * Operability-** The operability is transparent as the knowledge of the workings of the hardware and software do not apply to the project focus.


 * Organization-** The organization is distributed as the students will utilize the computer lab and internet. The students will utilize the WebQuest created by Kim Hicks, and use research tools developed by other sources.


 * Engagability-** The students have access to challenging tasks. The WebQuest provokes inquiry and is thought provoking.


 * Ease of Use-** The WebQuest provides just enough information, just in time. Starter information is provided and can lead the students to start researching on their own without the aid of the WebQuest.


 * Functionality-** During the course of the project, students could use diverse tools and multimedia applications for research if their sources are in that format.


 * Indicators Not Included:**
 * Grouping-** Grouping does not apply as the project is completed by the individual. Students could be put into groups for collaboration if the teacher desires.


 * Additional Questions:**
 * What is the teacher doing?** The teacher is monitoring progress and redirecting research. It is important for the teacher to remind them they are researching their subject’s accomplishments and then imagining the world without their subject.


 * What is the teacher's role?** The teacher serves as guide, putting them on the right path and giving course corrections whenever necessary.


 * How has the teacher structured the learning?** Students chose a historical figure and research their accomplishments. They will then create a narrative of what the world would be like today if their historical figure had not been alive.


 * Describe the authentic problem or issue presented. How will the student's product be assessed?** The issue addressed is “What contribution did a chosen historical figure have on contemporary society and what would life be like without that contribution?” Students will be assessed by giving a presentation of their findings to the class.


 * How is assessment performance-based, ongoing and seamless?** There assessment is performance-based and is completed by giving a presentation to the class.


 * How does the teacher facilitate learning?** The teacher facilitates learning by directed questioning techniques. They can ask questions to the students that can direct their research and narrative back on to the right track.


 * What are the students doing?** The students are researching their historical figure and writing a narrative.


 * What is the student's role?** The student is an explorer, independently researching their historical figure and writing a narrative.


 * How does the student's role differ from the traditional classroom?** The student does their own independent research and draws their own conclusions about life without their subject. This is in direct contrast to a teacher just lecturing about the contributions of their historical figure.


 * Who directs the learning in this project?** The student directs the learning with course corrections from the teacher.


 * What modifications would you make to implement this project in your classroom or recommend it to someone else?** I would create a list of ancient historical figures with one or two resources to get them started.


 * How does technology support the learning?** The technology provides access to multiple research tools as well as the basis of the project, the WebQuest.


 * Is the technology a critical component of this project?** Yes as it is the research tool.


 * Could the project be done as effectively without the use of the Internet?** No


 * What is the type of Internet communication the students are using during this project?** The student will use research tools like Dogpile, Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.


 * Are they sharing information with other classes or experts?** No


 * How is this project an example of the best use of technology?** I’m not sure it is an example of the “best” use of technology but is a good example of a basic educational technology, the WebQuest. It engages the students, allows them to teach themselves, and helps develop their technology skills.


 * Is the communication one-way or two-way?** (Are they giving as well as sharing information? The communication is one-way in the research but they share information later, in their presentation to the class.


 * Is collaboration taking place?** No


 * How is the task multidisciplinary?** The task is based in history but students may choose figures that made discoveries in mathematics, science, or preformed in the arts. The student will also use English skills in writing their narrative.


 * Is there an opportunity to publish student work?** The teacher could choose to have the students publish their work in a wiki or blog.


 * Are students taking advantage of recent or frequently updated information on the Internet?** They could be based on their research.