a problem solving “webquest”

A Problem Solving Webquest Example /mb 9.22.09

A Problem Solving “Webquest”

Webquests allow students to explore the World Wide Web for ways to learn what they need to know.


A Problem Solving “Webquest”

Webquests allow students to explore the World Wide Web for ways to learn what they need to know.

Ideally, this is an open-ended process that encourages:• creativity• cooperation in positive social interaction• interest, and even joy, in learning• the development of problem-solving skills


The Old Way


The Old Way: A Prediction

What is the students’ reaction?


The Old Way: Some Reactions

Reactions from different students:



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to know this?



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to know this?• Is this important to know?



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to know this?• Is this important to know?• I don’t get it. What does the problem mean?



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to know this?• Is this important to know?• I don’t get it. What does the problem mean?• Huh? What am I supposed to do now?



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to know this?• Is this important to know?• I don’t get it. What does the problem mean?• Huh? What am I supposed to do now?• So what?



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to know this?• Is this important to know?• I don’t get it. What does the problem mean?• Huh? What am I supposed to do now?• So what?• Who cares?



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to know this?• Is this important to know?• I don’t get it. What does the problem mean?• Huh? What am I supposed to do now?• So what?• Who cares?• I hate math!


The New Way

About how much is this pile of soybeans worth?


The New Way: Some Reactions

Reactions from different students:



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to figure this out by myself? Cool!



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to figure this out by myself? Cool!• Do I need to use the Internet? Cool!



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to figure this out by myself? Cool!• Do I need to use the Internet? Cool!• Can I work with my classmates? Cool!



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to figure this out by myself? Cool!• Do I need to use the Internet? Cool!• Can I work with my classmates? Cool!• Do I want to use my brain? Yes!



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to figure this out by myself? Cool!• Do I need to use the Internet? Cool!• Can I work with my classmates? Cool!• Do I want to use my brain? Yes!• Is this fun? Yes!



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to figure this out by myself? Cool!• Do I need to use the Internet? Cool!• Can I work with my classmates? Cool!• Do I want to use my brain? Yes!• Is this fun? Yes!• Is there just one way to solve this? No!



Reactions from different students:• Do I need to figure this out by myself? Cool!• Do I need to use the Internet? Cool!• Can I work with my classmates? Cool!• Do I want to use my brain? Yes!• Is this fun? Yes!• Is there just one way to solve this? No! • Not asked: Is this relevant standards-based

learning involving creative problem-solving skills?


So…


Discussion:


The New Way: What?


Discussion: “What do I need to find out?”


The New Way: How?


Discussion:


The New Way: How?


Discussion: How do I find out?”


The New Way: Can I…?


Discussion:


The New Way: Can I…?


Answer: “Try it!”


The New Way: Tell me!


Discussion:


The New Way: Tell me!


Answer: “Find out yourself, with your team!”


The New Way: What To Avoid

As strange as this sounds, don’t help.




Allow mistakes, frustration, and even failure. Just clarify what the problem means through group discussion and encourage attempts.




Allow mistakes, frustration, and even failure. Just clarify what the problem means through group discussion and encourage attempts.

If you provide the answer within a short period of time, little or no learning takes place.


The New Way: Teacher Talk

• “That’s a great idea to try out.”



• “That’s a great idea to try out.”• “Keep at it!”



• “That’s a great idea to try out.”• “Keep at it!”• “What do you think you could try?”



• “That’s a great idea to try out.”• “Keep at it!”• “What do you think you could try?”• “I think you all are on the right track.”



• “That’s a great idea to try out.”• “Keep at it!”• “What do you think you could try?”• “I think you all are on the right track.”• “What other ideas does your team have?”



• “That’s a great idea to try out.”• “Keep at it!”• “What do you think you could try?”• “I think you all are on the right track.”• “What other ideas does your team have?”• “How would you find that out?”



• “That’s a great idea to try out.”• “Keep at it!”• “What do you think you could try?”• “I think you all are on the right track.”• “What other ideas does your team have?”• “How would you find that out?”• “Is there a way to find that out?”



• “That’s a great idea to try out.”• “Keep at it!”• “What do you think you could try?”• “I think you all are on the right track.”• “What other ideas does your team have?”• “How would you find that out?”• “Is there a way to find that out?”• “Where would you get that information?”



• “That’s a great idea to try out.”• “Keep at it!”• “What do you think you could try?”• “I think you all are on the right track.”• “What other ideas does your team have?”• “How would you find that out?”• “Is there a way to find that out?”• “Where would you get that information?”• “What do you still need to know?”



• “That’s a great idea to try out.”• “Keep at it!”• “What do you think you could try?”• “I think you all are on the right track.”• “What other ideas does your team have?”• “How would you find that out?”• “Is there a way to find that out?”• “Where would you get that information?”• “What do you still need to know?”• “Can you find that out on the Internet?”



• “That’s a great idea to try out.”• “Keep at it!”• “What do you think you could try?”• “I think you all are on the right track.”• “What other ideas does your team have?”• “How would you find that out?”• “Is there a way to find that out?”• “Where would you get that information?”• “What do you still need to know?”• “Can you find that out on the Internet?”• “Did another team find that out?”


Let’s Try The “New Way”

• Work in groups.



• Work in groups.• Elect a “secretary” to prepare a Powerpoint

presentation, on one computer.




presentation, on one computer.• Elect a “searcher” to search on one computer.




presentation, on one computer.• Elect a “searcher” to search on one computer. • The remaining members direct the “secretary” and “searcher”.




presentation, on one computer.• Elect a “searcher” to search on one computer. • The remaining members direct the “secretary” and “searcher”. • Finally, when done, elect a “spokesperson”

to present the results to the class using the Powerpoint presentation.


The New Way


a problem solving “webquest”

Documents

webquest example mb

different students

old waya problem

students reaction

new wayabout

world wide web

creativity cooperation

positive social interaction