1. Work Cited Carle, B. (n.d.). Journey Back In Time. Retrieved June 5, 2014, from WebQuest: http://www2.lhric.org/kat/wq/colonial.htm EdTechTeachers Inc. (2013). Recommended WebQuests and ThinkQuests for History and Social Studies Teachers. Retrieved June 5, 2014, from Teaching History with Technology: http://thwt.org/index.php/discussion-collaboration/webquests Technology Enhanced Learning in Science. (2014). WISE. Retrieved June 7, 2014, from http://wise.berkeley.edu/
2. Guided Inquiry
2.1. Journey Back in Time WebQuest
2.1.1. Students will become characters from the Colonial time period and create a journal of their every day life. Students also with find authentic documents about their character and create a brochure using Microsoft Publisher (Carle).
2.1.2. This WebQuest allows students to compare their present day life to a life of a person from colonial time. By becoming a character student can more fully relate to the differences of the time period. With the three different projects, students are creating, writing, researching history, and using technology. With the limited amount of prior knowledge students would have on this time period, this type of project would need to be a guided inquiry, with assistance from the teacher on website to explore, non fiction and fiction books about their character, and how to navigate the Publisher program.
2.1.3. For my Kindergarten classroom, the idea of student understanding the limited resources the colonial people had is a great learning experience. It also give students a better understanding of how many countries and cultures still live today. This webquest would be modified for Kindergarten by reading a story, which takes place during the colonial time and having the class discuss the differences. For any grade, I think adding a trip or watching a video of a reenactment would give the students a better understanding of their living conditions.
2.2. Google Doc
2.2.1. Google Doc is a free Web 2.0 tool users can use to create, edit and save documents. Users can then access these from any computer connected to the web. Work created on Google Doc can be published as a web page or printed as a document. This tool allows for multiple people to view, edit and share their work for easy collaboration with others.
2.2.2. When using the Inquiry methods, students will be researching, taking notes, and collecting data to solve the focus problem and all of this work will need to be kept somewhere for easy access. Google Doc is a web tool which allows students to create and save their work and access it wherever they need it. It can also be used to publish students work or present their finding to the class.
2.2.3. While I placed this tool in the Guided Inquiry section, it does not mean it can not be used as a tool for the teacher to use in the Structured Inquiry level. In Kindergarten this tool could be used for a teacher to store document for a whole group inquiry lesson. After a few lesson on using the Google Doc tool, my students may be able to use it to open saved document or videos for their own research.
3. Structured Inquiry
3.1. Popplet
3.1.1. Popplet is a student friendly mind mapping app. This program is available online or as an app and can be accessed from anywhere. Popplet is a great way to organize your ideas and to collaborate with others.
3.1.2. Popplet can be used in any grade level for students to organize or present their work. For lower grades, this tool can be used as a whole group, just by the teacher or with guided instruction. Upper grades should be able to easily navigate the app and use it for organizing papers, organizing project assignments, and collaborating with others.
3.1.3. I think Popplet would be a great tool to use when illustrating an idea or topic. Instead of always writing on chart paper to present a lesson, Popplet could be used to retell a story, to illustrate the steps to writing, or to present all the different tools available for solving a math problem.
4. Student Initiated Inquiry
4.1. ThinkQuests
4.1.1. A "ThinkQuest is an Internet project created by students who work in teams to create educational websites as part of an annual international competition, sponsored by the Oracle Education Foundation. Students, ages 9-19, form a "Team," and once their teacher "Coach" enrolls the Team, students work together to create an innovative educational website. Each Team receives 50 MB of space on the ThinkQuest server and must fill out a short questionnaire. ThinkQuests are judged based on their educational contributions, "global diversity" perspectives, and Web design" (EdTechTeachers Inc., 2013).
4.1.2. Oracle compiles all the submitted works into a library, which can be used as a resources for classroom research projects. Teachers can select specific ThinkQuest for their class to use or they can open the library for students to browse for information. http://thinkquest.org/
4.1.3. While Kindergarten age students are not eligible to participate in the ThinkQuest contest. The class could still publish their work onto a class blog. Students can still use the ThinkQuest Library as a resource for facts and information about a topic. This would be a more structured exploration then with older grades.
4.2. WISE
4.2.1. "Web-Based Inquiry Science Environment is a research-based digital learning platform that foster exploration and science inquiry. Students observe, analyze, experiment and reflect as they navigate WISE projects. Teachers guide and evaluate the process using a suite of classroom-based and online tools" (Technology Enhanced Learning in Science, 2014)
4.2.2. WISE is a computer based program that allows students to learn about science concepts they may encounter in biology, chemistry, or physics. This program is most suited for students in grades 8-12. "Students explore new ideas and evidence, ponder discrepant events, write reflections, and form fact-based theories. They collaboratively validate these theories through discussion and model based testing and refine their ideas using a variety of representational tools" (Technology Enhanced Learning in Science, 2014).
4.2.3. While WISE is not suited for students at primary grade level, the program does provide many great illustrations and models of different science concepts. Teachers in the primary grade could use this site to show student a visual of the topic they are learning about.