Web Instructional Strategies

Dave Baloga EDMT 380-002

	What is it?	Advantages	Disadvantages	Example
Topic Hotlist	A list/collection of web-sites that have been chosen by the teacher and deemed as useful for the students to utilize	• provides sources that are appropriate for the students to be viewing • searching is not required by the students • discourages time students spend off task	• provides sources that are appropriate for the students to be viewing • searching is not required by the students • discourages time students spend off task	China on the Net
Multimedia Scrapbook	A collection of web-sites that are divided and categorized by media type (i.e. photographs, videos, sound clips, etc.)	• allows students to discover what they are most interested in • offers a student-centered approach • gives students experience with various forms of multimedia • encourages construction of meaning	• plug-ins may not be installed • copyrighting may be an issue • students may get off task easily	The Amish
Subject Sampler	Learners are presented with a fewer number of interesting web-sites that are all related to one main topic. The learner then provides their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives on the given issue.	• encourages students to think for themselves from a personal point of view • web sites are chosen for students, so there is not as much of an opportunity for them to get off track • encourages higher level thinking skills, rather than just searching for and finding basic facts	• requires planning time by teacher, and must keep up to date to make sure links still work • as with any internet activity, requires supervision on the part of the teacher to ensure students are doing what they’re supposed to be doing • less freedom for students to search on their own for information	Betsy Ross

Treasure Hunt	An activity in which the learner searches for clues and answers via web-sites, to a posed list of questions	• requires students to develop Internet searching skills • students develop basic Internet skills • gathering information that is relevant • could be used as an introduction or supplemental review of material	• students might find irrelevant information • requires close teacher supervision • doesn’t always require higher-level thinking skills	Black History: Past to Present
WebQuest	An inquiry activity in which most or all of the information is obtained from the internet.	• promotes effective Internet use • requires cooperative work on the students' behalf • provides real life experiences • promotes higher level thinking skills • focuses on inquiry-based learning	• must supervise closely • students may need help narrowing down their search and synthesizing information • may be difficult in classrooms where computer use is limited	Tuskegee Tragedy

More Information on WebQuests!
WebQuests are best suited for group activities, and for higher level thinking skills. They can be used as single or interdisciplinary exercises. For classrooms with one computer or classrooms that have limited time on computers, learning stations can be set up so that students who are waiting to get on the computer can do non-computer based research or preparation.

There are six elements of a good WebQuest:
Introduction - prepares and hooks the reader, with the student as the intended audience.
Task - focuses learners on what they are going to do - the culminating performance/product that drives all of the learning activities.
Process - outlines how learners will accomplish the task. Scaffolding includes clear steps, resources, and tools for organizing information.
Evaluation - describes the evaluation criteria needed to meet performance and content standards.
Conclusion - brings closure and encourages reflection.
Teacher Page - information to help other teachers implement WebQuest, including target learners, standards, notes for teaching, and examples of student work.
Information obtained from http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/buildingblocks/p-index.htm

How we will use these strategies in our lesson plans:
Amber Seidler- I will be using a Treasure Hunt as my web instructional strategy for project #1. In my lesson the students will be locating information about Germany and its culture. By using a Treasure Hunt that has the relevant links available to the students immediately following the question, the students will be to locate the appropriate answers quickly and effectively. This strategy will help to ensure that the students are not spending too much time searching through useless or irrelevant information.

Molly Anderson - I will use the Topic Hotlist for my lesson plan. Students will use web sites that I find for them and create in the form of a topic hotlist to research the state they are assigned. The Topic Hotlist will be divided up into sections, including weather, recreation, and special features (for example, National Parks.) In using this Topic Hotlist, students will still be getting practice in searching the internet and obtaining information, but will have a little direction in finding the right web sites.

David Baloga - For my lesson, I would use Topic Hotlists because it fits very well with my lesson. Through my research beforehand, I can best keep the students on track. Furthermore, it allows me to group the historical figures and other information into categories and have them search specific sites. It will best help keep the students focused and give them good structure for the assignment.

Home | Web Instructional Strategies | Project #1 | Project #2

Questions? Please feel free to e-mail me at dave@mikebaloga.com
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 4:08 PM