Palmer Post: WebQuest Evaluation

CEP 811 Project -

http://www.yorkville.k12.il.us/webquests/webqfrey/webqsfrey.html

Synopsis of the WebQuest:

The WebQuest I explored is called A Quest for Respect with the Grouchy Ladybug. The book, The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle, is the main focus of this WebQuest. The intended audience is stated as first and second grade students. Those who follow the quest will be led through several tasks such as: charting information from the book, describing the main character, identifying key words, researching facts, and role playing.

Curriculum Standards:

Standards were not addressed in the WebQuest but I have listed some standards from the Common Core below…

* RL.1.1. Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

* RL.1.2. Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

* RL.1.3. Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

* RI.1.4. Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.

Pedagogical strategies in the WebQuest

While the lesson calls upon independence, I feel that the main teaching strategy is deductive. The presenter of the WebQuest outlines a very structured procedure that students must follow to complete all identified tasks. There is no choice or opportunity to go outside of the four links that provide additional information and/or resources. Therefore student interaction is very limited and unsuitable for open-ended, inquiry based learning experiences. Other beneficial pedagogical strategies include the use of cooperative partner grouping, clearly defied goals and expectations, use of technology to complete the tasks, and a connection to everyday life and an evaluation criteria of the completed quest.

While there are connections that students can make to their own lives, there are not metaphors that capture this WebQuest. There is a natural flow to the tasks in the WebQuest that appear to scaffold learning. The students go from charting the Grouchy Ladybugs activities to identifying character traits. The traits are further explored to discover the meaning of respect and students are also asked to role play their personal experiences in reference to the Grouchy Ladybug. The WebQuest links to non-fiction through the research of actual ladybugs, but this link was broken.

Technology in the WebQuest

The technology piece of this WebQuest could be improved upon for the benefit of student learning. There are a total of four links that students are given access to in this WebQuest. The first is to the author’s own webpage. Here, students will view a Blog, a list of books, FAQs, and some games online. This link credits the main source of the lessons focus. The second link is to an activity page that students must print out to complete. This page covers characteristics of the main character in The Grouchy Ladybug. The third link goes to a website about the Six Pillars of Character. Students must scroll down to find a brief definition of “respect.” The fourth link indicates that students will be learning about ladybug facts, but the link is broken. I appreciate the overall idea that students can complete tasks online and link to safe resources. However, I believe that this same activity could be completed with books and a pencil and paper in the classroom. In fact, many of the tasks ask students to leave the computer to use classroom materials such as the actual picture book, making a chart, and printing out paper from one of the four links.

WebQuest Improvements

Having taught first grade I do feel that students can become easily overwhelmed by too much technology. However, a few technology tweaks with this WebQuest could make all the difference. I would first improve this quest by providing a book online. Using the book, Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco, could follow the theme of respect. This story is read online by the actress Jane Kacsmarek by going to the link http://www.storylineonline.net. A story online will be helpful to those who are not able to independently read the required text. Furthermore, students could be given a creative license by going onto KidPix to illustrate their own activity chart and character definition. I would also give students multiple links to research both the definition of respect as well as ladybugs. In doing so, students could be more evaluative of the information accessed, and a broken link would not be an impactful issue. My school as rights to the website http://www.pebblego.com/login.php where students can find facts on all types of creatures. Some other links I have found that give great details on ladybugs are http://www.kidzcraftz.ca/ladybugs.htm and http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/insects/Ladybug.shtml.