For Digital Badge #K we read chapter 6. The three things that I want to discuss is WebQuests, Virtual Field trips, and Virtual Schools.
I chose to write about webquests because we just had a major project on webquest. I thought I had a great understanding of webquest and was really excited about making mine. I realized that I was off a bit on the purpose of a webquest. I probably should have read the text book before I made one. Anyway, I see that the true purpose of a webquest is really awesome for students. I think that the webquest makes for an amazing activity in of itself and would be great to incorporate in lesson plans.
Virtual field trips are also an amazing activity to incorporate into lesson plans. I got to observe a class this semester that had two different virtual field trips to Italy and Russia via Google Maps. The students asked questions about the cars in Italy and the buildings in Russia. It was a great way for the kids to learn about different cultures in a more interactive way. Other websites let you have virtual tours of museums and art gallery. These are great ideas and a great way to use technology in class.
The last thing I would like to talk about is virtual schools. When I was in 2nd grade, my mom and Aunt had decided that they wanted to home school us and my two cousins. My two cousins went the whole year in home school but my mom (after about 3 months) put us in public school. Fast forward 20 years and my husband and I have discussed the kind of schools that we want our (future) kids to go to. We are both Christians and neither one of us want our kids to go to a Christian school. My mother-in-law would kill us if we sent them to a charter school. Home school isn't an option. So it looks like we will be sending our non existent children to public school. I have often thought about virtual school and I have had three (different from before) cousins who go to virtual school. I am not opposed to virtual school. In fact, I know that students can and have succeeded beyond their expectations (one of my cousin's actually skipped a grade). But one of the reasons why we don't want our kids to go to a Christian school, and is the same reason for virtual school, is that we believe that the better school socially is a public school. And there are pros virtual school. Some of the pros would be that they work at their own pace as well as their being a larger selection of subjects to chose from. These are reasons enough for me to consider it in the future. However, there are some other reasons to not consider it either.
In conclusion, Webquest and Virtual field trips are something that I may use a lot in my teaching. I and my class can benefit very well from them. And virtual schools may be an amazing venture for your and your children, but approach the idea with caution.
References:
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Nice job on your infographic and glad that you had a chance to explore the nature of WebQuests a bit more. They can be rather complex, thought the concept may seem simple. That is one of the great reasons for designing and using them for students - they can be modified to fit most learners and the incorporation of multimedia (as well as the tasks involved) usually make them engaging. I know you will make a great WebQuest the next time having tried one and learned from it! Sometimes, we just go too quick into new territory. ;)
ReplyDeleteInteresting to read the pros and cons you have considered for your own potential child's education. There are more and more options these days, but I think that is good and hopefully, there will be a good solution for you when you do have that to consider 'for real'. With educational transformations, one needs to still consider the basic fundamentals of who (i.e., teacher) can provide the best facilitation of learning - after all, the content is available to anyone, anywhere, anytime if you know how to find it on the internet. And, the social aspect, especially in the younger years, is critical. But will schools look different? Will community centers or other venues offer that piece more in the future? It is an exciting time to consider such changes.