Blog #10

I learned how to set up a website that lets me save websites to it and information for class assignments that use the internet as an interactive tool in the classroom. I also evaluated three different software programs that could be used as learning tools in the classroom(DynoTech Software, Starfall, and Big Brains). I was also able to link the software to the Californian standards. This helped me become more aware of the standards for the different grade levels.
Filamentality Website: http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listlifeinka.html
Webquests are another tool to be used in a classroom. They are activities for students where the information is found on the web. They are not suppose to take up time searching on the web but use the information on the web to help bring students to a higher level of thinking. (Blooms Taxonomy). One way to ensure you are making a useful Webquest is to follow these guidelines FOCUS; Find great sites, Orchestrate your learners and resources, Challenge your learners to think, Use the medium, and finally Scaffold high expectations. Finding relevant sites is key to a good webquest activity. Many people use Alta Vista, Google, and Northern Lights. There are also search engines that help you search sites by grade and California standard. These make a teachers job a littlie bit easier when planning activities and making sure they are relevant to the curriculum. Webquests can take your students across the world. They can get up-to-date information about anything. You can visit sites that show current science information and prices for travel adventures. One of the major benefits of the Web is that is givers your students access to real-world information. It helps students deal with events that happened in the past, could happen in the future, or are happening right now in their own community. Webquests are fun for students somewhat in part due to how quickly the information can be accessed on the web. It can make the daunting task of writing a paper a little bit more palatable for the students.