Current Forum: Week 13 Journaling forum Read 19 times  Status: Archived  Date: 23-Apr-2001 22:05:00 Author: xxxxxxxx Subject: Week 13 Journaling forum   The projects are well on the way to being finished.Everyone has worked well in their own direction.Nice to see the way people approached the idea of the consturctivist lesson building.Having done lessons this way myself,the kids amaze me in how eagerly they grasp the idea of constucting their own learning.The atmosphere gets charged as they work on their own.You really become the guide on the side.Every child is busy working ,communicating and you have to stand back and let they go!I don't need to control and have problem behaviors as you can get in traditional teaching plans. Some how I think there could be a combination of webquest/nasa images.The possibility had crossed my mind as I worked on the quest.I thought about using it with the idea of weather and images from space, and farming.This would be a better idea for middle school level, but could become one for 3-6.Might be a third option for building a project. I did go back and edit my lesson plan form too.I went back several times , to get it to what I thought was correct.I caught one of the math standards I had reversed the numbers! Easy to do when working with many numbers. I really liked the fact that I only needed to put in the number, not all of the standards wording.Reading the wording is how I caught my error.

Current Forum: Week 13 Journaling forum Read 15 times  Status: Archived  Date: 25-Apr-2001 08:55:00 Author: Subject: Week 13  I certainly have enjoyed looking at the web quests. I'm pretty amazed how well people have incorporated agriculture into their curriculum at a variety of grade levels. The variety of ideas has been interesting. The web quests are quality products that could be modified slightly to be used in a variety of settings. I agree with Betty, it is fun to watch kids "take off" with these types of projects. We get to learn along with the kids! I appreciate the comments from the other teachers--it is always helpful to have someone else look at your work. Sometimes we look at it too many times and still miss some things.

Current Forum: Week 13 Journaling forum Read 17 times  Status: Archived  Date: 28-Apr-2001 08:21:00 Author: xxxxxxxx Subject: Week 13  I have not yet tried Web Quests with my students. I only learned about them this year and have not had time to create and/or find one that I really wanted to use. I am anxious to do some planning this summer and use one or two next year. Can anybody give me info. on suggested ways to have students work through their first Web Quest experience? I heard from a friend that the best way to start was to have them work through a really simple one -- I teach 9th graders; is there a simple one that won't seem too "silly" to them? Also, I am going to New Orleans for the International Reading Association Conference (Apr. 29 - May 4th). What is the actual "finish" date of our project? I don't want to miss the chance for those final touches and checks before it is assessed. Thanks!

Current Forum: Week 13 Journaling forum Read 13 times  Status: Archived  Date: 28-Apr-2001 18:33:00 Author: xxxxxxxx Subject: Week 13  Will not be able to try the farming web quest this year since it is going fast. Want to have the Chemistry and Biology work on a web quest on something they would like to show the educational world. Especially, you would not expect the the web user that is looking at the web site to develop a Power Point presentation. Mainly to get them interested in looking further into the web page and web task. Next year, I would like to try a science fair approach on the web with their experiment. Some of the students are realing working at it and some can do other things besides this. Seems like summer fever is here with all the warm weather. As far as the system at Waterloo, we are still working out the bugs and trying to have access to all the required stuff to develop their web project is more than challenging with hurdles to clear on a regular basis. The key here is having the students take ownership and pride in putting something on the web that they would be proud of. Since things have settled down now with the doctor visit this weekend along with nerves. Want to get the project finished this week into the final touches. That is if there is such a thing as final touches. Want to develop some Power Point presentations over scout merit badges before summer camp starts as another hurdle.

Current Forum: Week 13 Journaling forum Read 11 times  Status: Archived  Date: 28-Apr-2001 21:17:00 Author: xxxxxxxx Subject: Week 13 Journaling  All of the Webquests are interesting and unique. It is good to see what can be done with this media. Actually, it opens a whole new door of possibilities for learning. This could be a great resource for teachers. And, of course, we keep learning as well. It has been educational reading all the Webquests and visiting the various websites in the resources. All the best to everybody finishing up their project.

Current Forum: Week 13 Journaling forum Read 11 times  Status: Archived  Date: 29-Apr-2001 13:11:00 Author: xxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Week 13 Journaling  Marcia, Could you confirm to me that you got an e-mail on the last assignment. I have had some trouble with UNO bouncing it. I think that it got through the last time but am not sure. Brian

Current Forum: Week 13 Journaling forum Read 12 times  Status: Archived  Date: 29-Apr-2001 11:47:00 Author: xxxxxxxx Subject: Week 13  I've really enjoy looking at all of the other projects. It is interesting to see all of the different ideas that everyone has. Even though we are all in the same class, there was absolutely no repetition of subject matter, etc. I enjoyed the graphics that all included in their projects. I've been working on my project along with my students; it's been a good way to keep them somewhat focused now that the weather has turned warmer and they see themselves as already out for the summer! I've taken several other online classes and I will say that I've enjoyed this one the most. Just a few more changes in my project and I guess that will have to be it! Thanks to all for the helpful comments. They are all greatly appreciated. Good luck to everyone and have a great summer!

Current Forum: Week 13 Journaling forum Read 11 times  Status: Archived  Date: 29-Apr-2001 13:12:00 Author: xxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Week 13  Glad to hear that you had a good experience with us here on the farm. We have strived to produce a good class for you farmers. It is still a work in progress and we have much to learn to keep making it better. Thanks for the supportive comments. Brian

Current Forum: Week 13 Journaling forum Read 19 times  Status: Archived  Date: 29-Apr-2001 16:38:00    (Original: 29-Apr-2001 16:32:00) Author: xxxxxxxx Subject: Week 13 Journal  Gradually introducing my First Graders into webquest sites has been fun and exciting for them. I began with initial introduction being something they are very familiar with: a story! We had fun share reading a story which I also included inferring questions and think aloud as that has been one of our areas of focus as a school this year. Listening to one of Dr. Martin Luther King's addresses in part was a wonderful experience for my students. They were able to capture a portion of his charisma and better understand the significance he had on the people at the time. I had to smile when a parent commented to me on their child's recitation of: "I have a dream that one day all people will live united..."! Next, we've moved into portions of my webquest. I wanted a true picture of student response and ability in manouvering a webquest. I was pleased with their response and ability! Their excitement and enthusiasm has proven to me that learning through a webquest designed lesson is indeed valuable. With evaluation and expectations given, the students have a clear, detailed lesson format in which to work. I still have areas of my webquest that I want to "polish" so, will complete that this week.

Current Forum: Week 13 Journaling forum Read 14 times  Status: Archived  Date: 29-Apr-2001 18:08:00 Author: xxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Week 13 Journal  And the excitement and enthusiasm of the virtual farmers has been fun to observe as well. The kinds of projects that you have generated really make 'it' happen for the students and that is the important part. Thank you. Bill