Whenever using a computer based instructional object, there are additional considerations including accommodations for special needs students, time constraints, computer time constraints, group structure, grading scale, absent or suspended students, students that misuse technology and I'm sure I'm missing other ones! Most of these considerations must be considered before doing any lesson and therefore must be considered when using a computer based instruction object.
Check out these exemplary Math WebQuests:
1. Triggernometry by Kris Bunch, High Tech High
http://questgarden.com/100/96/9/100422202702/index.htm
I evaluted this Webquest for the WebQuest Evaluation and it is awesome! It uses deductive, inductive, scaffolding, simulation and problem solving! It provides the students with a crime scene and they are assigned tasks that they must complete using trigonometry, geometry and equation solving.
2. Tessellations and Geometric Shapes by Sara DeBoer
http://questgarden.com/102/71/8/100429114919/index.htm
This WebQuest asks the students to research to find tessellations in real life (students can physically go outside or around the school to find some) and take pictures of them. The must then explain why they are tessellations and present their findings to the class. Then the students do some work with polgyons and creating a pattern by translating, dilating and reflections. This WebQuest uses deductive and scaffolding to aid student learning. Very cool!
3. Mrs. Vanilla's Ice Cream Shop by Claudia Marmolejo
http://questgarden.com/103/23/9/100506004422/index.htm
Even though this WebQuest is not in my grade level, it is excellent! The students use this WebQuest to become familiar with converting improper fractions into mixed fractions. The difference between this one and the other 2 is it is mostly using a deductive instructional strategy and it is much shorter. Which makes sense as it was created for a much younger audience. The connection to the student is great and it works very nicely!
Jen,
ReplyDeleteYou make great points about taking into consideration the needs of students. I didn't even think about dealing with special needs or absent students in these activities. I'm really glad you mentioned them so that way I'll remember to take this into consideration when using these tools in class!
I love the Ice Cream Shop WebQuest! Although it's not at our "grade levels", I think anything to help students with fractions, regardless of age, is always a helpful tool.
Meeting student accommodations is an important aspect of computer based activities, I'm glad that you brought attention to it.
ReplyDeleteEven though I'm not a math teacher myself the webquests you mentioned seemed a much preferable way of learning about trigonometry and fractions than the way I remember learning about them.