ECI-511

WebQuest

Description:

A WebQuest is an inquiry-based activity in which the students use the internet as a tool to find answers. Webquests are not designed for students to only find the answers and questions, but instead intrigue the student?s interest in the topic.  It is another way of teaching students through technology. 

Key Findings:

Bernie Dodge basically stated that WebQuest are designed to use learners' time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.  The article explains the importance of making useful webquests for students.  It reminds me that in order for technology integration to be effective, the teacher must use it in a correct manner.  WebQuest are very simple to create and can be used for any discipline (which is very beneficial).  The article itself only included five basic rules of completing a WebQuests:

1. Find great sites
2. Orchestrate learners resource
3. Challenge you learner to think
4. Use the medium
5. Scaffold high expectations

The easy directions help me decide that WebQuests are good tools to use in the classroom. If you have problems creating you Webquest, you can go on the internet to locate templates for teachers to use. 

I think my students will really enjoy completing a WebQuest.  They love it when I take them to the computer lab and to actually teach a concept through the internet will probably increase their motivation for social studies. I am currently developing a WebQuest for my students and look forward to using it.

Integration:

Lesson plan:  Welcome to the Real World

This is an actually web quest I am currently working on for my Civics and Economics class in the fall.

The activity will introduce students to different jobs salaries, apartment hunting, investment options, and banking.

One of the best ways to learn something is to actually experience it and evaluate the outcomes.  Many times high school students wish they could have their own place to live, but fail to consider the financial responsibilities.  After two weeks students will appreciate living at home instead of on their own!  It will definitely be a long lasting learning activity.

Part I: 

The students will be assigned a job and an average salary for the job.  Apartment, investments, and transportation must be within their working budget.

This lesson will involve two weeks of planning and preparation.  Students can divide into cooperative groups for certain tasks, like finding information on the Internet.  However the majority of the work should be done independently to better prepare the students for real-life situations.

Part II:

Use the following websites for this activity:

1.  Locate your career and research the job outlook/salary information:  http://www.bls.gov/oco/ (occupational handbook).

2.  Based off your assigned career, create a budget for your apartment, transportation, basic living costs and investment options.

3.  Research and open up a checking and savings account using the following websites:

www.bankofamerica.com

www.http://www.ncsecu.org/ (Credit Union)

4.  Download the banking game and complete the different tasks.  http://www.bankingonourfuture.org/master.cfm/main/home

5.  Decide rather or not you are interest in opening a up credit card.

6.  Using the previous websites to research the different investment options:  stocks, CDs, savings account, IRA Roth, and money markets.

7.  Together as a class, each student will invest in stock using the online game stock quest.  http://stocksquest.coe.uga.edu/C001759/

8.  Apartment Hunting:  The students must find an apartment that is within their budget.  Search for apartment within you means--remember to add utilities cost to your final sum.

9.  Use www.apartmentguide.com to find your apartment

10.  Shop for a car using the following websites (remember your budget):

Newspapers: www.newsandobserver.com (classifieds)

Dealerships:  http://www.leithcars.com/

11.  Use the link payment estimator to obtain the total cost of car using a finance company.

12. Remember with a car you must have car insurance.  Obtain quotes for car insurance using :  www.nationwide.com or www.statefarm.com

13.  After you are finish use the following website, summarize your budget and analyze how it compares to other United States citizens.  http://www.betterbudgeting.com/budgetcalculator.htm

Part III:

Throughout this assignment students will need to answer the discussion questions located on Ms. Berry class wiki at http://civicandeconomics.wikispaces.com/.

The student will analyze their experience and publish their findings in a portfolio and on the class wiki.

Posted at 09:26PM Jun 20, 2006 by BERRY, LATOYA in General  |  Comments[0]