CEP 811 Adapting Innovative Technologies to Education
The focus of this course was to develop more interactive technological applications to apply in our teaching practice. Projects went beyond the basics explored in the previous course, CEP 810. To view each assignment, click on the assignment title.
WebQuest Evaluation
Our first assignment was to evaluate an existing webquest (to aid in the development of our own later on in the course). We were to evaluate the pedagogical strategies of the webquest, where/how scaffolding occurs, and how the creator takes advantage of technology. We also had to look at what was good/bad about it and how we believe it could be improved.
StAIR-Stand Alone Instructional Resource
Our second assignment was to develop a PowerPoint show that would act as a stand-alone resource to use in our classrooms. The idea behind the stand-alone resource is that it is student-driven and individually paced. One of the great things about this type of resource is that when the file is opened, it automatically opens as a PowerPoint show that cannot be altered by students or other users.
I decided to create a presentation on the Core Democratic Value of federalism. Federalism is not necessarily the most exciting topic to teach, nor the most easily understood, so I thought this type of resource would be rather helpful. Students can click on the action buttons, which direct them through a series of slides presenting information and examples of federalism. Then there is a "quiz" which tests their learning of the material presented at the beginning of the show in an objective way. If they get an answer wrong, they are directed to a screen which explains why that response was wrong, then directs them back to the question to correct their thinking. This type of technology is really helpful for independent minded students like my own. They can work at their own pace and can go back and review information as they need to.
I decided to create a presentation on the Core Democratic Value of federalism. Federalism is not necessarily the most exciting topic to teach, nor the most easily understood, so I thought this type of resource would be rather helpful. Students can click on the action buttons, which direct them through a series of slides presenting information and examples of federalism. Then there is a "quiz" which tests their learning of the material presented at the beginning of the show in an objective way. If they get an answer wrong, they are directed to a screen which explains why that response was wrong, then directs them back to the question to correct their thinking. This type of technology is really helpful for independent minded students like my own. They can work at their own pace and can go back and review information as they need to.
Group WebQuest
Our third assignment was to work with a partner to create a webquest. We had to identify an educational goal that would be achieved by this webquest, spell out the process, find and link resources to use, and create a rubric on which students grades will be based.
My partner and I chose to create a webquest based on the genocides of the twentieth century. The webquest was created in a way that it could be used while studying any of the genocides of the twentieth century, including those in Armenia, Nazi Germany, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur. Students would need to understand first what genocide is, then complete a series of tasks exploring different "character" perspectives of each event. They would also have to research some basic information about the country/area in which the genocide occurred as well as the causes and effects of it. Like a StAIR, WebQuests are great for students who like to work at their own pace.
My partner and I chose to create a webquest based on the genocides of the twentieth century. The webquest was created in a way that it could be used while studying any of the genocides of the twentieth century, including those in Armenia, Nazi Germany, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur. Students would need to understand first what genocide is, then complete a series of tasks exploring different "character" perspectives of each event. They would also have to research some basic information about the country/area in which the genocide occurred as well as the causes and effects of it. Like a StAIR, WebQuests are great for students who like to work at their own pace.