Shapes Scavenger Hunt

Digital Collection

Google Docs

Working as a group to plan a lesson can be difficult, especially over the computer. I loved using Google docs to create our lesson plan in class. This was a way for all 3 of us to work on a document at the same time and not have to keep updated a word file. The changes are instant, and it made the lesson plan so much easier. I could be typing the standards, while someone else added links to all the web pages we planned to use in our webquest. Google docs makes life so much easier, especially when it comes to group work.

New perspective on WebQuests...

So after yesterdays assignment I have come to find I enjoy planning a webquest. I also found that it is not as confusing as I had originally thought. I think making technology fun and a way for students to learn is a great way to keep the students engaged. I wish my previous teachers had used more webquests in our classrooms. I did research as a student, but it was never planned out. Webquests will be something I implement in my classroom, of course everything will have to be modified depending on the grade and facilities available.

WebQuests

I am still a little confused about WebQuests and how/when to use them in my classroom. I am excited to work on a lesson plan with a focus on webquests, and figure out great ways to use them in a classroom setting. Allowing students to use the internet to do research and find sources is a great use of technology. Having access to computers at school or at home can become a problem, but if the resources are there I would love to implement webquests in my classroom. Hopefully everything will become a little more clear after our project.

Credible Website...

I never realized how much was involved in evaluating a website for a classroom setting. As many credible websites there are, I felt I ran into plenty that looked some what sketchy! I have never evaluated a website until today, so I chose to evaluate a website I have used in all of my education courses.

I am happy to note that BrainPOP.com passed the evaluation and I can continue to use it. This website is not completely free though, which makes it hard to use all the time. I know a few teachers who have access to it through their school, which helps a lot.

Now that evaluating websites has come to my attention, I will continue to evaluate websites for my future classroom and research.

Tool for evaluating websites...

I like the Classzone website as a tool for evaluating websites. It comes with a link to see the criteria involved in evaluating a website and a classroom activity. A PDF file is available for all students to print off and use in an activity to evaluate a website. Classzone gives a list of websites to use or you can come up with your own. This activity is a great way to get students or teachers used to evaluating websites they are using.