INTRODUCTION:

WebQuest is a learning activity in which some or all of the information that student uses in completing a required task comes form varied sites on the Internet. WebQuest can focus on a single topic or can be interdisciplinary. There are two types of WebQuests: short and long term. In a short- term WebQuest, the instructional goal is knowledge acquisition and integration. Each student obtains and processes a significant amount of new information from the web and other sources. It takes one to three class periods to be completed.

In a long-term WebQuest students refine and extend their knowledge by relating it to their own experience. They analyze a body of information, integrate it into their own knowledge base, and demonstrate their understanding by presenting it to the class in the form of Web pages. Long-term WebQuest takes between a week to two months to complete.

Our WebQuest about Ellis Island for a sixth grader is of a short-term nature.

CT STANDARDS:

Middle Grades

b. describe the ways, family ,gender, ethnicity, nationality, and institutional affiliations
contribute to personal identity.

d. identify and describe ways regional, ethnic, and national cultures influence individuals’ daily lives.

ISTE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS:

2. Social, ethical, and human issues.
Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.
Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

5. Technology research tools.
Students use technology to locate and evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Select and analyze information from multiple resources.

2. Integrate information from primary documents with other information sources.

HOW WILL THE STUDENTS INCORPORATE THIS INFORMATION INTO A UNIT?

This WebQuest is a part of a 4 week unit which we used to emphasize the impact of immigration on our state. The Web Quest ties up with two books about immigration in our unit:

Immigrant Kids by Russell Freedman and

Journey to Ellis Island by Carol Bierman, Laurie McGaw, Barbara Hehner.

The first book is a wonderful non-fiction story for students at the 6th grade level. The real life pictures of immigrant children in the neighborhoods of New York during the late 1800's and early 1900's that appear on many pages of the book should hold the interest of even the most reluctant readers.

The second book is a true story written from the perspective of an 11-year-old immigrant, and truly describes the immigrant child perspective.

Ellis Island WebQuest is to add interest to the subject by using technology and activate critical thinking skills and a hint of authenticity to a learning process.

TYPE OF INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY:

CONSTRUCTIVISM:

“Constructivism is a theory that describes knowledge as temporary, developmental, socially and culturally mediated, and thus non-objective. Learning from this perspective is understood as self-regulating process of resolving inner cognitive conflicts that often become apparent through concrete experience, collaborative discourse, and reflection.” (Brooks & Brooks, 1993, In search of understanding: The case for constructivist classroom.)

Teachers using a constructivist approach realize that learning is not only a matter of transferring ideas from one who is knowledgeable to one who is not – a view in which a teacher’s work is construed as instruction. Instead, learning is perceived as a personal, reflective and transformative process where ideas, experiences, and points of view are integrated and something new is created – a view where teacher’s work is construed as facilitating individuals’ abilities to construct knowledge.

Thus, the purpose of going through the web quest is to make students create their own learning experience: acquiring the knowledge and understanding about Ellis Island from the point of view of a young child.

ACCOMODATIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS:

- Students can have bigger font for their websites to better view the pages

- Students with reading disabilities can have a computer with software installed that reads text to them

- Modified assignment

- Students with motor skill disabilities can use a larger size keyboard

- Graphic organizers to use for note taking

- Previous to this assignment student can be introduced to the concepts and content so they gain knowledge before completing the assignment

RUBRIC FOR THE TEACHER:

Each web page functions properly with all of its links working and images showing

5 4 3 2 1

Each page has a good graphic design e.g. it’s legible, with its fonts colors backgrounds, contributing to making the pages readable and easy to use

5 4 3 2 1

Spelling and grammar are correct and the text is readable at the audiences level

5 4 3 2 1

Content - each page contains all the required information and the instructions are clear, understandable, and appropriate for the audience

5 4 3 2 1

Process - is clear, understandable and appropriate

5 4 3 2 1

The posting in the Web CT forum is complete and the WebQuest link functions

5 4 3 2 1

Assessment - included and appropriate

5 4 3 2 1

Accommodations for students with special needs and are included and stated clearly

5 4 3 2 1

Presentation and cooperation with partner/group

5 4 3 2 1