Blog 10

This week I learned about Web Quests and filamentality in class. The idea behind using Web Quests is a way to engage the students in using technology to enhance a learning assignment. I liked the idea of being able to leave an assignment for a substitute teacher to be able to come in that is beyond watching a movie. Having a substitute teacher come in a run a Web Quest assignment can allow for students to feel more independent and in control of their own education, hopefully promoting more learning than just memorizing of facts.

In addition, I learned this week about the how to start thinking of the NETS in terms of the students’ point of view. Looking at the NETS from the students’ point of view means to be thinking about what education I would be getting for myself. Would I be apt enough to use certain computer programs or to analyze different data and then compile it in a database? Would I understand different research techniques or search engines? Where can I find the most useful information? Looking at learning from a student’s point of view can help to evaluate a teacher’s lesson plans and efforts.

Here is my filamentality link: http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listsocialskc.html

After doing the reading assignments, there appears to be a graciousness of relief dedicated to Bernie Dodge and his creative idea of WebQuests. Using WebQuests to facilitate group work and economically using the availability of computers is something well addressed in a WebQuest. The idea of a WebQuest can take one to three class periods or even longer term projects that require complete classroom cooperation. I like the idea of creating WebQuests for the students that allow for more information to be retained, such as the example of learning about whales and finding recent newspaper articles on it through the Web. The combining of current information that can be relevant to curriculum and using technology seems to be a great way to further learning. I do not necessarily like the idea of having to create a WebQuest because it seems like it could take a long time to create and really functional, clearly defined, and appropriate one. However, there seem to be many, many available WebQuests that are already created on the internet, so there is no need to reinvent the wheel. I like the idea of having the kids interested in a project like the Pumpkin patch article where they can get the local community involved in raising funds or finding companies to donate. I think that project is very real world geared. It could be something that they would have to do after high school or learn to work with other age groups.