Week Six

So....here I was at the beach, trying to get ahead in class and so I begin the unit on Web Quests. Ironically, or not so ironically, this was one of the Technology Explorations that I evaluated in a prior lesson and did not like.  When I reviewed them earlier, my main problem was that almost all of the links to the Quests were broken.  When I finally found one that worked, the sites were not set up with the different sections that we read about this week so they were very hard to follow.  I really never understood their objective.

So, again this week, I went 'searching' for a Web Quest that I might be able to use in my class.  Unfortunately, the math quests that showed up in my search did not have valid links either.  After a little deeper search, I did find a 'math' quest - but it is really for 5 - 7 graders at the highest level.  The web quest is listed here:  http://its.guilford.k12.nc.us/webquests/areaperim/areaperim.htm.

This quest has the student learning about area and perimeter.  Although it was inquiry-based, it really was more rote work initially in learning how to compute area and perimeter.  The end of the quest does require the student to go home, take actual measurements and create a 'scaled' drawing.  They then have to draw a three room house, compute area and figure how much carpet is needed, and then determine the perimeter of a fence that goes around the house.  There were no links to cost of fencing or carpet, which I think would have added interest and further 'inquiry' for the student.  It did come with a nice 'checklist' to make sure the student had done everything on the list.

Ok...so going back to my original concern with Web Quests - I'm not sure I'm any more thrilled about them than when I began.  I have asked some of my sons' friends who have been in public education from the beginning if they have ever used Web Quests.  One of them said he 'thought' he may have.  Obviously, none of these students were left with any lasting impression of their learning experience.

Back to my beach interruption....instead of reading Danielle Steele novels, I was reading about Web Quests - and not only reading about them - but I began dreaming about them.  I guess that was my brain trying to figure what exactly one was and how I was going to create one.  When I woke up, I had somehow processed a Web Quest that could be used to analyze college choices for our high school students.  

I set up a Web Quest that requires students to inquire about their own career choices based on interest, determine potential salaries for those careers, analyze the financial implications of various college choices, and develop a return on invest.  Ultimately, the students will have to present their findings including tables, graphs, future value of money, cost of living analysis, college expenses, and collaboration with peers to develop some life application skills that may help them making a good decision that will impact them for the rest of their life.

My Web Quest URL is http://questgarden.com/169/90/7/140404190952/.  Did I enjoy this?  Kind of.  I love to learn.  So I loved finding links to help with the research aspect.  I also love real-life applications - so some of the facts I found were very interesting.  I was a little frustrated because I do not believe I have truly mastered the definition of 'task' or 'process' and I don't think I have included enough links or specific enough information that may be needed by my students.  However, I think it's a good start and I plan on using it with my personal finance class.  I will let them add to the quest as we run into stumbling blocks.

I can say that I hope my dreams take a different course.  It's been interesting....but dreams of the beach would be much more welcome!  :)