Use Zunal for Zippy WebQuests

     The term "WebQuest" is often used as the catch-all phrase for students performing guided research on the Internet.  However, the proper term that should be used when students are simply researching for information using a list of links that the teacher has put together, is a "scavenger hunt", not a WebQuest.  A scavenger hunt requires students to "get" the information, while a WebQuest wants them "to do something" with this information. 
    

     A WebQuest is a much more involved "inquiry oriented" on-line research project developed by by tech-guru Bernie Dodge back in 1995.   A true webquest is made up of 6 essential components.  They include an Introduction, a Task, Processes, Resources, and Evaluation that the students refer to for guidance and instruction on the quest.  These components provide opportunities for students to use a variety of skills that align with many of the common core standards.    " A true, high-quality WebQuest is not simply a series of web-based experiences or an Internet scavenger hunt. By contrast, a real WebQuest will make good use of Internet-based resources, allowing teachers to present content in diverse formats and media and requiring students to engage in a learning activity modeled on a real-world task that requires them to research and use technology skills, then synthesize and analyze the information they have gathered. In the culminating project or writing assignment of a WebQuest, students are generally asked to persuade an audience or explain their point of view based on the specific evidence they have gathered through Internet-based inquiry.", http://criticalthinkingworks.com/?p=266, March 12, 2012.

Check out this VoiceThread on how you can use WebQuests to promote classroom inquiry. 

    

      OK.  So you are thinking, "Why is she writing about WebQuests, they are nothing new?!"  I know.  However, in the past creating a true WebQuest not only required you to have the skills needed to make an interactive document with web links, but also the ability or means to host it on the world wide web.  This piece of the project has been made easier with the development of actual WebQuest creator tools such as Zunal.   Zunal does all the work for you allowing even the novice WebQuest users the ability to create professional looking WebQuests in a snap.  For a FREE service, it provides a ton of features!  Here are a few: 

• Publish web-quests instantly to Zunal's portal for student access (can also be shared via a URL, email, or facebook).  
• Free account never expires 
• Unlimited number of files and images can be uploaded 
• Embed videos 
• Embed Voki and Glogster presentations

     Zunal also provides tools to make your WebQuests interactive with tables, an evaluation rubric, photo galleries, quizzes, map activities, hangman games, pre-test/post-tests, and more!!  Check this out...the most recent update to Zunal now makes it possible for multiple people to work on the same WebQuest using different accounts!!  This would be a great activity to do with your students.  You could have them work as partners or in teams to develop a WebQuest around a particular topic.    

  Here are a few different links to WebQuests that are available on Zunal to give you an idea of the finished product. 

A Trip Back in Time:  Early and Ancient Civilization (6-8)

Food From the Farm (K-2)

Cyber Bullying in the Media Age  (9-12)

Fractions, Fractions, and More (6-8)

1960's Flashback:  Into the World of an Outsider  (6-8)  

Vacation to Disney:  problem solving in real life situations. It uses higher level thinking, problem solving, and budgeting money.  (3-5)

La Familia (9-12)
Lets Take a Journey into the World of Beverly Cleary (K-2)

   Lastly, Zunal has a mobile friendly website making it easy to access from smart phones and idevices.  They are in the process of developing apps, but for now, you can use the mobile site:
www.m.zunal.com

Enjoy!

ipads for Thinking and Learning

     One of my favorite educational blogs that I follow is called Langwitches, where recently I read an article called "There is More to iPads in the Classroom...than Apps". Langwitches by the way, if you are not familiar with it, is definitely worth a perusal if you too enjoy learning what tools other educators are using to make an impact on how they teach and how their students learn. 

     OK, back to the article. With the implementation of many idevices across our district, I am often asked if I know of a "good app" that will do this or that for a certain lesson. Although I am always up for the challenge of finding the perfect app, I often wonder if we are missing the mark on the full potential of these devices in the classroom. There has to be more to these "cool tools" than just "drill and kill" apps, a video camera, and easy access to the Internet!! That is why I was excited when I read Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano's article, where she discusses how it is important; "to NOT see only apps but to focus on pedagogy and the iPad as a LEARNING and THINKING tool".  She also suggests looking at apps "THROUGH THE LENS of Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and 21st Century Skills and Literacies".  Don't get me wrong.  I love many of the amazing apps out there that help kids learn certain skills and get them excited about their learning. However, let's take it a step further and discover the many ways to use these devices to collaborate, evaluate, explore, connect, extend learning...and make life long learners!!

     With that in mind, take a look at the attached list of apps as seen through these different lenses! Each of these images can be printed as PDFs.   Enjoy!

     

Built for Students...Loved by Teachers...StudyBlue

It's that time of year again, when teachers are prepping review materials and students are cramming for that final exam or Regents.  Get your student's excited again about learning by introducing them to StudyBlue! If you like Quizlet, then you are going to love StudyBlue.  This online study tool designed for our digital native students who want the ability of studying in the palm of their hand.  StudyBlue allows students to study using a computer, or on-the-go using either the Apple or Android app.   


StudyBlue provides users with lots of different study tools including flashcards, quizzes, test reviews, and much more.  What I like about StudyBlue is that students can quiz themselves using their flashcards and the program keeps track of which ones they got right and wrong, enabling them to focus on mastery.  It also reminds the students where they left off during their previous session and how long ago they studied.   If their problem is remembering to study... no worries.  Students can set a study reminder for any online flashcards or notes and the program will send them a text message when it's time to study again - with a direct link to the material.  Failure is futile!!  Often referred to as "your digital backpack", StudyBlue allows users to create their own study material or search the flashcard directory for materials submitted by others.  


Check out these StudyBlue videos and please share this link with your students!!  Take away those year-end study blues!!  http://www.studyblue.com/






Here's a great video demonstrating the free Apple app and how  easy it is to create a flashcard that includes an image and how to use your voice to enter the definition.  

Museum Box

The Museum Box is a cool little site that I have had on my list of sites to post about for a while. It allows students to create what I like to call a "virtual or interactive time capsule" filled with information pertaining to a specific event in time, a person, place, etc. This is a great way for kids to debate a topic presenting their argument through visuals that can include documents, images, videos, and sound. Students can also view and comment on museum boxes submitted by others.

The Museum Box interface is pretty slick and your students will quickly learn how to create their boxes using the onscreen "eye catching" buttons and easy to follow directions. The box is divided into multi -layered cubes, with each side of the cube containing the artifact (document, image, etc.). Another feature I like is that it does not require using a specific Internet browser. It will work on Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Chrome, etc.

Set up is easy, but does require an initial school registration that is free. Your account has to be verified that can take up to 5 days. This allows you the ability review and approve your pupils' work. Once you are approved, you can login to the Teacher Administration area and create student accounts (under Manage Users) or ask your pupils to sign up and select your school from the school list. Once this is done, when pupils submit their boxes they will go to you for review and publication.

Here's a video that overviews Musum Box from EduTeacher TV. Check it out!!