Scavenger Hunt

I had fun taking the pictures with my group.  I got to know my group more.  We decided to do colors for our scavenger hunt.  It was fun and easy finding different colors to post.  Trying to figure out how to share all of the pictures, was very frustrating and confusing.  However, we did figure it out.  Uploading the pictures to Picassa was easy and so was making the slideshow on our classroom website.       Also, making Google Presentation was easy and I am glad that I know how to use that as well.  I would definitely like to do a scavenger hunt again and perhaps try to incorporate that into the classroom.

Wiki Reflection

I like using the wikis to communicate back and forth.  In my Special Education class we were working on a group project and we talked about making a wiki so we could communicate and to make sure we did not all use the same sources.  I also like how we can edit each others entries.  I would still prefer to talk face to face with my group, but when we cannot all meet at the same time, I can understand why wiki is more convenient. I also like that each member can steal locks from each other instead of waiting to be able to access the page to edit it.  Especially if the person that is already logged on has fallen asleep and forgot to log off.  Wikis are a good idea for group communication when everyone has such busy schedules.

Inquiry Based Activities

I like the Inquiry Based Activities.  It is a nice way to change up the classroom's routine.  I would not use it all of the time because it would take longer and teacher's deal with tight schedules already.  Surprisingly it did not take me as long as I was expecting to make it and to find resources.  I was expecting this project to take a lot longer.  The longest part was trying to decide what to do my IBA on.  And when I am a teacher and already have lesson plans, this will be way easier to create hopefully.  I like how it gives the students a chance to learn something that they can choose, like mine was about elements on the periodic table.  The students learn something interesting and applicable to the lesson that they are learning in class. I am a little OCD so it took me forever to get everything lined up the way that was acceptable to me.  Anyways, I will definitely use IBA in my classroom.

About WebQuests

I think that WebQuests are a great idea in the classroom if they teach the students different aspects such as working together, different perspectives, and they learn something from the project.  The WebQuest cannot be something that is pointless like the ice-cream one we looked at in class. I am sure students would love to make their own ice cream, but I am not quite sure what they learn.  It must be educational and teaches the students to apply something and learn from it.  It also has to be pretty realistic with time because teachers only have so much time in a day to cover different subjects.  It should also allow students to be creative, analytical, and take a stance on something.  Also, working in a group assists in the learning of communication, compromise, and collaboration.

Webquest Annotation

http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/grant/mitten/index.htm

This webquest is created for kindergarteners that practice reading, working together in a group, and learn about different animals, snow, and perspectives.  It is a lot for students to complete, but if you give them perhaps a month to complete it I believe that it is possible.  The students can learn several things such as the winter setting, animals, roles, and working together to put on a play.  I think this is a good idea to do for a reading project.  And the students will enjoy putting on a play for their friends and family.