I'll have to admit that I found the Webquest assignment to be quite confusing. It wasn't clear until I really started digging in as to what was expected and what steps I needed to take. I have seen these used in classroom settings as well but not very often. In those situations, I also felt that students were often confused as to what they needed to do. In theory, the idea of a safe way to find information on a teacher made guided web search seems ideal. I think the trouble may lie if the fact that there are several steps involved, switching from site to site. This may be especially confusing for students with disabilities. It is certainly an activity that would need teacher guidance and explanation. As far as my use for it as a future special education teacher, I can see it as a way to pre-teach or review subject matter. I feel it would be best, though, to be used as a teacher led and guided activity as opposed to a student individual or group lesson. Maybe the teacher could introduce each step and have students complete, then move on to the next step.
I feel I did learn more about Augmentative and Assistive Communication devices as another form of Assistive Technology as well as reasons they may be used, resources to locate, determine need and fund them. There are several different situations where students with disabilities could benefit from certain devices, especially those that can enable verbal communication that may have otherwise been impossible. These devices can open up a new world. Through communication and confidence many students can eventually learn to communicate on their own.
I also had trouble with the WebQuest at first. I really need to take a few hours and completely put my focus on it. Once I did that I seemed to fly through it. If I ever use one in my future classrooms I'll have to remember the utter confusion I felt with this one. Hopefully that will remind me to really explain the process of using one to the students.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to think that students also might find webquests confusing. I wonder why we struggle with this? In a way, it is meant to be easier than just say "go Google" it and have millions of "hits" and not sure where to go or what sites to trust. In this tool, the guesswork is already done for you.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to refine the assignment to be a bit more clear. I really see the value of it and have heard positive things from students when it is done right. Thanks for the feedback.