For this project, I have been addressing the problem of
needing a structured format for my students to do research. As a Library Media
Specialist, a large portion of my job is providing students with research and
presentation skills. It was becoming
challenging and overwhelming to start each new project from scratch, and also
frustrating to be constantly repeating directions to students I only see once
each week. I decided to create a WebQuest template in
Microsoft PowerPoint to be edited for each research project I create. This provides structure to the research and
presentation process for my students over time.
It also offers some differentiation for students who need review and
repetition and the opportunity for higher-level students to move ahead more
quickly. Using the template saves me
planning time and allows me to focus more on creating high quality
assignments.
After two partial implementations, the project has been
successful. At this time, partially
implementing the WebQuest format to research and presentation was all that I
knew I would have time for. Even finding
time during our once-weekly meetings was challenging without being able to plan
well in advance. As I look to the rest
of this school year and into the next, I know I will find many opportunities to
use my WebQuest template to create new research projects for my students. I will definitely continue to use this format
because, so far, it was very beneficial to my students and to myself.
I know this project has been successful so far because my students
were able to easily navigate the PowerPoint presentation and use it at their
own pace. During my 5th grade
implementation, my students were focusing on creating a bibliography and
PowerPoint presentation of their research findings. They were easily able to move between screens
to find the directions and information they needed, instead of having to ask me
for help and wait while I worked with other groups. Even though they had already had a lesson in
PowerPoint basics, several of my students followed the links I embedded to some
basic PowerPoint instructional videos for review and further learning. During my 4th grade
implementation, my students were focusing on beginning a project learning about
the Underground Railroad. The problem
stated in the opening of the presentation gave them motivation to learn and
they were easily able to use the link to the resource I wanted them to use.
One thing I realized I would change would be to add some
information and resources into the presentation about how to take notes during
research. I realized that young students
often write down too much or too little from their sources. I would move the parts of the presentation
that review copyright and bibliography.
I realized that my students needed to have this information earlier in
the process so they would not waste time at the end searching for the sources they
already used.
Given more time, something I would do differently is to
create more audio in the WebQuest. I
would embed short recordings on each slide reading the text to my students. Not only would this help struggling readers,
but also my auditory learners. I noticed
that the students who chose to view the PowerPoint tutorial videos would have
benefited from some more audio, and possibly visual, teaching.
I really like the idea about adding in the audio. Struggling readers, younger students and auditory learners would all benefit from this. I think it is so important for students to learn basic computer skills like PPT. They will use these skills throughout their life, so why not start them early. (We are still using PPT and doing research in grad school!)
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