A WebQuest
Ms. B. A. Brusco
Service Learning Program© and Road To College Program©
Introduction
As
a college freshman you need to be prepared to use computers from day one. Colleges expect you to have a basic understanding
of how a computer works. You are
expected to know how to use various programs such as Word, Excel and an email
program. You will be expected to know
how to conduct research on the computer using the resources found on the
Internet. The transition from high school senior to successful college freshman
is complex and challenging. If you are
not computer literate you can find yourself scrambling
to keep up.
Recently a great deal of money was spent to bring
computers into the classrooms at Frederick Douglass Academy II. These laptop computers are housed in a cart
that can be rolled into any classroom. The laptops can be connected to the Internet
and a printer, to enable students to undertake research for college selection
and to research papers and reports.
There is a problem, however, involving the
development of a policy for training both students and teachers in using these
computer carts. Due to a lack of
resources it is not possible to have a full-time technician on staff to train
students and teachers, look after the computers and supervise the computer’s usage
and distribution. As a result the
computer carts have not been used, and are currently locked away in storage.
As member of the FDA II community you
have been asked to join a committee that will develop a program and process to:
1) provide training in using the laptop carts and 2) develop a policy to allow
for easy access to and usage of the computer carts. As you are a member of the Service
Learning Program at FDA II, it was decided that your group will undertake this
policy development. What is needed is a policy and process to address the two
(2) issues stated above. Your task is
very important to the students at FDA II.
Good luck in your efforts!
Task:
You will be a member of one (1) group which
will consist of five (5) students. Your
goal may be to develop a handbook for students who will be assisting in the
distribution and usage of the school’s computers. This handbook will set out the processes,
procedures and rules used in scheduling and delivering the computer carts and
having them returned safely. Another
group needs to make a PowerPoint presentation concerning the usage and distribution
policies used by everyone in the school. Or your group may be asked to develop a
training manual for use by students who will assist teachers in using the computers
in the classroom. This would involve
information as to what skills should be taught to students and some suggestions
for successful computer aided lessons.
Process:
Each group will be assigned to undertake
a part of the task. As a result, one (1) group will write a handbook, another
make up a PowerPoint presentation, another write the manual, etc. Additional tasks and groups may be added as
needed.
Each person in the group will have a
specific responsibility for the group’s work:
v Student
# 1: Recorder & Writer-will keep track of materials
found and will write reports on the group’s progress.
v
Students # 2 and #3: Researchers (2)-will
look at the suggested websites and related materials to complete the Public
Policy Analyst and give each group member information to write her/his
individual paper.
v Student
# 4: Timekeeper and Organizer (group leader)-will keep the group on track, plan the research
effort and assist others in their tasks.
v Student
# 5: Presenter-is
responsible for communicating the group’s findings and progress to the class
The Public Policy Analyst
format should be used as part of the research process. Your group will fill out a worksheet at each
stage of the process. The steps involved
are outlined below. Click on the
hyperlinks and read the descriptions of each stage. Copies of the worksheets are available at the
hyperlinks as well.
1.
Define the problem Worksheet
4.
Evaluate a policy Worksheet
5.
Develop solutions Worksheet
6.
Select best solution Worksheet
Depending on your group, you will be
either writing a handbook, training manual or a PowerPoint presentation. Be sure to fully discuss and outline the
content of the project before writing. You may wish to discuss this project with your
teacher, other teachers, and students as to their needs and desires for
computer usage. Your work is likely to
be used for a long time by many people, therefore, be sure to consider a wide
range of people’s needs and concerns.
Be sure to consult the rubric that will
be used for grading as you produce your project.
Look at the resources, both on line and
from other sources. Be sure to make use of as many of them as possible.
Resources:
The following web pages may be useful:
From Jericho
Middle School Library Newsletter
Acceptable
Internet Use Policies - A
Handbook, Virginia Department
Technology Preparedness for Teachers:
Acceptable Use Policy-Indiana
Department of Education
Managing Students with Computers: Best Practice
Evaluation:
Your
work will be graded using this rubric.
|
Criteria |
4 – Stellar (90 and above) |
3- Well Done (80 – 89) |
2 – Moderate (70- 79) |
1 – Limited (69 and below) |
My |
|
Research |
Problem clearly
identified and thoroughly researched. 25% |
Problem identified and
reasonably well researched. 20% |
Problem identified with limited research. 15% |
Problem identified but
research is lacking. 10% |
|
|
Public Policy Analysis |
All six (6) steps of the
PPA are clearly addressed and all worksheets correctly completed. 25% |
All six (6) steps of the
PPA are addressed and most worksheets correctly completed. 20% |
All six (6) steps of the
PPA are addressed, but worksheets could be improved. 15% |
Incomplete worksheets.
10% |
|
|
Oral Presentation |
Well organized,
demonstrates logical sequencing and no errors in sentence structure. The group is
knowledgeable and can answer questions with high degree of accuracy. 25% |
Few sequencing errors and
some sentences poorly structured. The group is mostly
knowledgeable and can answer questions with a moderate degree of accuracy.
20% |
Some sequencing errors and
some sentences poorly structured. The group is somewhat knowledgeable
and can answer questions with a minimum degree of accuracy. 15% |
Poorly organized – no
logical order and many sentence errors. The group is not
knowledgeable and cannot answer questions with accuracy. 10% |
|
|
PowerPoint and Graphics |
Five (5) or more creative
slides that include animated graphics and sound with images strong enough to
communicate ideas with or without text. 25% |
Five (5) or more slides
using color graphics, clear and annotated, however, |
Five (5) slides with some
graphics, slides are too busy |
Fewer than five (5)
slides, not clear, no graphics and |
|
|
Manual or Handbook |
Manuel/handbook is
complete, comprehensive, accurate and useful to the reader. 25% |
Manuel/handbook is
accurate and mostly comprehensive and useful to the reader. 20% |
Manuel/handbook is
incomplete, poorly written or lacking in significant detail to be useful. 15% |
Manuel/handbook is
missing, unclear or lacking in enough detail to be useful. 10% |
|
|
My Total Score |
|
|
|
|
|
Conclusion:
By the time you complete this product you
will have produced a useful product that can be used by many other students and
teachers in FDA II. Your product will help many people make better use of the
school’s computer carts for many years to come. Thank you for
your help and assistance!
Standards:
This
WebQuest addresses the following
E1c. Read
and comprehend informational materials.
E2a. Produce a paper on information and observations.
E3b. Participation in group meetings.
E3c. Prepare
and deliver an individual presentation.
E4b. Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness
English
Language Arts: Standard 3
Students will read, write, listen, and speak
for critical analysis and evaluation.
As listeners and readers, students will analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by
others using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they
will present, in oral and written language and from a variety of perspectives,
their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.
This WebQuest
addresses the following
Standard 5:`
understand basic computer architecture and
describe the function of computer subsystems and peripheral devices