To complete ISTE standard 2 our final project was to create a webquest using Questgarden. ISTE standard 2 requires teachers to design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments. For my first webquest, I found the process of creating the webquest very enlightening. Webquests are certainly learning experiences I will implement in my future teaching. I like that it offers students the opportunity to use digital tools and resources but is very structured in the information they are accessing. Putting together my first webquest was challenging at times, it took me longer than I expected to find the articles I wanted my students to read. I also got hung up on creating the evaluation/rubric section of the webquest, this was the first experience I had in creating a rubric as it is only my second quarter in the MAT program, and I certainly think that my rubric needs a lot of work before it is used in the classroom. But I’m confident in a year from now when I start student teaching I will be confident in my ability to create assessments for my students.
My webquest was designed for my preferred age group and subject, high school science students. There are numerous different design patterns that webquests can take on, to offer different scenarios to teachers and students. I choose to use the recommendation style of design pattern for my webquest. I like that I was able to offer students the opportunity during this exercise to take on the role of expert scientists, make realistic recommendations, and exercise negotiation skills. My webquest was titled Science and Society.
In this webquest, students work in groups as expert scientists, to investigate today’s pressing issues for science and society. They create a short persuasive presentation for the class, to persuade their peers in sub-committees why their issue is so important to society. To culminate the webquest and activities, students reflect on their experience working in small groups and sub-committees, as well as, reflect on their personal feelings of importance of the different issues that were covered in the webquest.
Here is the link to my webquest:
Samantha Whisenhunt bportfolio 