In an earlier blog, I spoke about projects (Project Based Learning). Webquests are essentially projects whose primary source of information is facilitated by the internet i.e. the web. Therefore a webquest is really a learning quest that uses the internet to facilitate learning.
Most elements of a regular project remain the same such as timeframe, research, scope of investigation, using experts etc. However, some new issues are presented. The internet is so vast that learners may be lost on just were to begin or where to get information, they may even struggle to figure out what information is legitimate. Therefore, a webquest creator has to spend a lot of time adequately framing questions and finding targeted resources which can be used by students in the quest.
Some elements of a quest include the overview or introduction of the project, the outlying of the tasks to be carried out, the actual process to be followed, step by step, to effectively carry out the quest, a set of resource materials/websites, an outline of how the learner would be assessed in the quest, and finally a conclusion. Each of these elements need to be carefully thought out by the creator to ensure the learner can effectively carry out the quest without frustration, and for learning to actually take place. Quests need to be interesting, logical, applicable to the learner, thorough, and visually appealing.
Tuesday 9 December 2014
Module 6 - Activity 5 - Curriculum Framing Questions
Curriculum Framing Questions (CFQs) are a vital part of creating any project. These questions are used to help the creator focus on the objectives of the project and how they actually fit the curriculum requirements. In addition, they guide the learner through aspects of the project in a structured way, by answering a variety of questions that build a conclusion of the overarching question.
CFQs are broken into:
The Essential Question
Unit Questions
Content Questions
The Essential Question is the big question that needs to be answered. The Unit Question(s) is a supporting question(s) that narrows the Essential Question down to a more manageable size. From the Unit Questions come the Content Questions which are to be quite varied. There should be several Content Questions which build towards answers of the Unit Questions. Having answered the Unit Questions, conclusions can be drawn for the Essential Question through critical thinking and analysis.
CFQs are broken into:
The Essential Question
Unit Questions
Content Questions
The Essential Question is the big question that needs to be answered. The Unit Question(s) is a supporting question(s) that narrows the Essential Question down to a more manageable size. From the Unit Questions come the Content Questions which are to be quite varied. There should be several Content Questions which build towards answers of the Unit Questions. Having answered the Unit Questions, conclusions can be drawn for the Essential Question through critical thinking and analysis.
Module 6 - Project Based Learning Activity 1-3
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a great way for learners to be involved in the learning process. In it, learners address a broad-based question which calls for them to use higher thinking skills in an investigative approach in order to come to some conclusion. PBL puts more of the responsibility for learning on the students therefore making it a student-centered approach.
In PBL, students typically work as part of a team, and the team can then utilize the individual strengths of each member. This promotes greater interactivity and collaboration, critical thinking, exposure for members who may be introverted, and self reliance.
Since they address the overarching question using an investigative approach, students have a greater chance of retaining the content learned - the content comes alive in their minds. Many projects also have real-world application which makes learning relevant.
Many curriculum objectives can be addressed through the use of PBL. It can be useful to review some previous projects and topics to see how they can be revamped to take advantage of the benefits of PBL.
In PBL, students typically work as part of a team, and the team can then utilize the individual strengths of each member. This promotes greater interactivity and collaboration, critical thinking, exposure for members who may be introverted, and self reliance.
Since they address the overarching question using an investigative approach, students have a greater chance of retaining the content learned - the content comes alive in their minds. Many projects also have real-world application which makes learning relevant.
Many curriculum objectives can be addressed through the use of PBL. It can be useful to review some previous projects and topics to see how they can be revamped to take advantage of the benefits of PBL.
New Module - Module 6
For some strange reason this post never went live before!
So here we are once more. The beginning of another module. Here I am once more. Many things on my plate.
So here we are once more. The beginning of another module.
So here we are once more. The beginning of another module. Here I am once more. Many things on my plate.
It's the month of our national Independence celebrations so it's busy times at school with regular classes plus getting students ready for our Independence school concert. Then there is preparing the Cadet band for the military parade, and the parade rehearsals which begin this week.
No doubt other rehearsals will be called soon for shows marking our celebrations. My hair is already falling out (being pulled out is the same as falling out, right?).
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