Class 29: iMovie & Prepare for WebQuest

iMovie

The purpose of this project was twofold, 1) to show you how easily you can create a video for personal and professional use and 2) to understand how teachers and students can use video for teaching and learning.

iMovie is apart of the iLife suite of applications on the MacIntosh platform. The software allows you to edit video, develop movies, and share them with family & friends. PCs have similar software, Moviemaker. Depending on your preference both of the applications are fairly simple to use and will allow a wide variety of editing.

There are many resources on the Web dedicated to using video in the classroom:

Apple Learning Interchange (type iMovie in the search box)
Student-Created Video Workshop
A Teacher's Guide to Making Student Movies
Student-Created Science Lab Video Reports
Did You See That Poem?

Now, let's take a look at your productions.

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WebQuests

The resource we are going to focus on today is WebQuests. Similar to the other resources we've looked at, a webquest is a tool which uses various tasks to promote learning. If you were to type the term WebQuest in a search engine you would probably receive several thousand hits.

Webquests were developed by Dr. Bernie Dodge of San Diego State University. This page offers a blog about the news of webquests.

What exactly is a WebQuest? What are its main characteristics? What are your initial reactions to WebQuests in terms of teaching and learning? What advantages and disadvantages do you see in teaching with WebQuests? What standards in your content area lend themselves to WebQuests?

Viewing exemplary webquests is a good way to get started on your own. Go to the main WebQuest page and click the words "Find WebQuests" on the left navigation bar. Using the Curriculum/Grade Level Matrix (in the middle of the page), spend a few minutes viewing 2 or 3 WebQuests in your content area. You can also see interviews with teachers who have used WebQuests here.

Hopefully, you're beginning to formulate an idea for a "hook" for your own WebQuest. It may be related to work you have already done in our class or work you are currently completing in other courses. It could even be something completely new in your content area. After you have some ideas together, review the WebQuest assignment so that you are clear on what is expected. Before Wednesday's class, you'll want to identify your WebQuest topic. Use this website to help you in the selection process.

Generally, a good WebQuest topic should have some inherent complexity, such as controversial issues, multiple perspectives, unknowns, etc. The topic needs to have your students take information in and transform it, using their own judgement and creative problem-solving techniques -- a LoTi level 4 or higher -- the learning should be authentic. Certain topics tend to lend themselves more to the WebQuest format than others.

All WebQuests follow a set structure with an Introduction, Task, Resource, Process, Evaluation, and Conclusion.


WebQuest Resources:
Some Thoughts About WebQuests
Building Blocks of a Webquest
The Webquest Design Process
Taxonomy of WebQuest Tasks
WebQuest Rubric
Process Checklist
Concept to Classroom
Searching tips
WebQuest Templates

Sample WebQuests:

Bernie Dodge's Top WebQuests
Middle School WebQuest Matrix
George Mason Univ. WebQuests
Maryland Tech Academy WebQuests
Other examples