•How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
In obtaining my goal in utilizing and creating web quests in my classroom, I am finding seveal webquests that I will be able to use in my classroom. This week we are tasked with creating a problem based lesson plan using technology. I have found a great webquest concerning my topic. By using the webquest I am able to present the students with a problem before they are given the tools and background knowledge. Students have to figure out what they need to know in order to move forward in their own self-directed learning (Laureate Education, Inc.).
What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
I have learned that putting together the resources for problem based learning takes a lot of time, however, when put together, students benefit greatly. Some of the beneifts are covering many standards across the curriculum, and students are given a meaningful learning environment. This will increase learner motivation, and students will retain the information instead of memorizing it and forgetting it(Laureate Education, Inc.).
What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?
Some new questions have arisen. These questions do not necessiarily deal with learning webquests, but how to group my students. I always believed that they should be grouped high ablility/ low ability. However, after this week's presentations, a case for heterogenus grouping made me think about my grouping in the past. I think I will have to experiement with each class in order to determine the best course of action for each project.
•How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?
So far I feel that I am on track with my plan in utilzing webquests in my lessons, and do not feel the need to make any adjustments to my plan at this time.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI also have a hard time with grouping students. Like you, I also thought it was good to mix groups up by their ability. But this scenario does not spilt the group work up evenely. We all know who will take charge and who will do as minimal as they can. I have tried pairing students up with others of their ability level and I have found that it does tend to work better. It makes all students be responsible and step up to the plate. I also like the free time that is available for me when students are working on their Problem Based Learning activities because then I can offer support for all students. The low level students do need extra support, guidence, and need to be given a role/position in order for them to be successful. Some type of evaluation form will also help your groups stay on task.
~Michelle
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteConsidering grouping of students, I don't think there is one right way to do it. Every five years educational "elites" come out with a new theory for everyone to get on board with. It comes down to two things in my opinion. One, what are you comfortable with in your classroom. And two, what kind of grouping does your current set of students benefit from. I use every type of grouping throughout the year. Sometimes I make heterogeneous groups/partners with purpose in mind. Sometimes, I randomly assign groups from drawing names. Other times, students can pick their own. It doesn't matter as long as you feel comfortable assisting groups throughout the process. We do a Survivor Night pre-state test event. Students make their own groups of three to compete with, design their tribe's flag and shirt, and prepare for the event. Two years in a row, the winning group was three lower-ability students who just seemed to work well together. While some teachers swear by a certain type of grouping and stick with it with no flexibility, I like variety, because that's how life is. When technology is involved, even the high ability students struggle if they can't use the resources correctly. With technology projects, I like to allow students to pick who they work well with because of all the variables involved, but that's just my opinion.
Good luck!
Joe
Great opinion. I usually do random grouping, but every once in a while I allow them to choose their partners. I find that when I allow them to choose, there is less fighting and more work gets done. I will see what happnes with my new group of students this year.
ReplyDeleteKelly
The grouping of students is a tough thing to do. I have an especially difficult time with it at the high school level because students want to be with friends, and there are so many clicks unfortunately, that if students are not in the groups they want to be, they motivation and work ethic, and work quality do down tremendously. I sometimes use random grouping such as using a clock, and every number on the clock has a name of someone from class. I will tell students to get with their 4 o'clock partner, and this makes it fast, random, and easy to get groups together at the high school level.
ReplyDelete