A WebQuest About Creating TIPS PPA WebQuests

 

Jim Carroll

jajcarro@maxwell.syr.edu

 

 

Introduction

 

Teaching Interdisciplinary Problem Solving (TIPS) through Educational Technology is intended to help teachers to integrate TIPS’ innovative Internet applications into advancing students’ problem solving skills.  You have been learning about how to use The Public Policy Analyst.  Perhaps the best way to integrate the PPA into teaching is by creating and using WebQuests.

 

Bernie Dodge originated WebQuests in 1995. His website describes the six main parts of a WebQuest and contains numerous examples from teachers across the country.  As an experienced teacher, you are familiar with creating lesson plans.  WebQuests are similar to traditional lesson plans, except you create a WebQuest for your students to read online to guide them through the lesson.

 

As a TIPS teacher, you will create two WebQuests.  A TIPS PPA WebQuest is a WebQuest that incorporates some of the steps from the PPA model.  It is the PPA that differentiates this project from the 300+ proposals that the government rejected when TIPS was funded in 1999.  It is the effectiveness of integrating the PPA into teaching that is the basis of our project’s assessment and continuation.  Your first TIPS PPA WebQuest is due on October 31, 2001.  Be creative and have fun with Product One. 

 

 

Task

 

As a result of this WebQuest, you and your TIPS colleagues will recognize the value of creating and using TIPS WebQuests in your curriculum.  You should also be able to make considerable progress toward creating your Product 1 WebQuest that is due on October 31.

 

 

Process

 

Sit in groups according to your subject area—Participation in Government, American history, Global Studies, science or language arts.  Use the resource links to implement these steps.

 

The first two steps are intended to familiarize you with WebQuests.  Most of the six parts of a WebQuest are self-explanatory.  Sometimes there is confusion over the difference between “Task” and “Process.”  The former contains your general purpose, goals or objectives, whereas the latter specifically guides the students on implementation.

 

  1. Spend a few minutes at Bernie Dodge’s website to learn about the six parts of a WebQuest.
  2. View some of the WebQuests created by TIPS teachers in your subject area (they vary in quality).
  3. Use the online worksheet below to answer questions under Task regarding the value of WebQuests and PPA WebQuests; you will share responses with the entire group.

 

The next series of steps involve you in the process of identifying the specific social problem from your curriculum that will serve as the basis for your PPA WebQuest and beginning your Product One WebQuest. 

 

  1. From the resource links below, select “Using the PPA…” in your particular subject.  Based on the two examples furnished on the worksheet, your group will add four more examples (3—6); examples will then be shared with the entire group.
  2. Example 7 should be completed as an individual task, for this will hopefully become the topic and problem for each participant’s Product One; examples will be shared.
  3. When Jim or Joe has approved your Example 7, you may begin to develop your own WebQuest as a Word document.  To save your work, you can e-mail it to yourself.

 

 

Resources

 

1.   Bernie Dodge’s website

 

http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquest.html

 

     The six parts of a WebQuest

http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/tpss99/mywebquest/index.htm

 

2.   Samples of PPA Teacher Products

 

3.   Value of WebQuests and the PPA

 

4.   Using the PPA in American history/Government

 

Using the PPA in Language Arts

 

Using the PPA in Science

 

Using the PPA in Global History

 

 

Evaluation

 

1.                  The feedback that you offer and receive from your colleagues as you complete the tasks today and work on your PPA WebQuest should contain valuable guidance and assistance.

2.                  The director will develop a checklist or a rubric for evaluating your WebQuests that you will receive in September.

 

 

Conclusion

 

If you have worked diligently, you should now have a better understanding of the value of creating and using PPA WebQuests, and you should have made considerable progress toward completing your Product 1 WebQuest.