In today's world, technologies are becoming more and more advanced in the education system. The internet is used throughout the world and now it is widely used in schools for educational purposes. Both teachers and students are learning different ways to bring technologies into classrooms and effectively using them. Internet workshops, Internet Projects, WebQuests, and Internet Inquiry are all models of internet use are well described and discussed by Dr. Donald J Leu through both group discussion/lecture and a brief online handout that expands on Internet workshops and WebQuests (2000). He encourages the use of these instructional models to enhance the learning experience.
All four models allow students to develop certain skills that are necessary in today's technologically developing world. Internet Workshops and Internet Projects help students develop collaborative skills which are helpful within an Internet Inquiry. Internet Inquiries and Internet Workshops allow for independent research which then turns into a collaboration between peers and students from other schools. A WebQuest allows for access to an entire unit. It is a "complete teaching/learning unit for students on the Internet. Students simply follow the directions and complete their learning experiences at a WebQuest site" (Leu, 2000, p. 5). Inquiries and Projects allow for communication skills after content evaluation. Internets workshops and WebQuests are simple to use for both instructor and student while Projects are slightly more complicated since there is an outside of school online collaboration and Inquiries are based on the students independent research on a topic or question of their own. Each model of instruction requires the knowledge of today's fast paced technological environment and it is necessary to bring students into this world with as much knowledge as possible.
My cooperating teacher at New Britain High School informs me that there is a SMART board set up in the computer lab and that they have access to ELMOS. They also have projectors in each classroom. Since the students will have access to a computer lab and the internet, I think having an Internet Workshop would be very beneficial for learning some background information on the literature I will be teaching. I could set up a worksheet with informational websites based specifically on the background or culture settings of certain texts and have the students share their collected information at the end of the week. It would be beneficial for them to know some background and a workshop would be a good way to achieve this.
Leu, D.J. (2000). Instructional Workshop and Webquests: Two Instructional Models. Retrieved from http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~djleu/cue/thu_handout2.pdf.
All four models allow students to develop certain skills that are necessary in today's technologically developing world. Internet Workshops and Internet Projects help students develop collaborative skills which are helpful within an Internet Inquiry. Internet Inquiries and Internet Workshops allow for independent research which then turns into a collaboration between peers and students from other schools. A WebQuest allows for access to an entire unit. It is a "complete teaching/learning unit for students on the Internet. Students simply follow the directions and complete their learning experiences at a WebQuest site" (Leu, 2000, p. 5). Inquiries and Projects allow for communication skills after content evaluation. Internets workshops and WebQuests are simple to use for both instructor and student while Projects are slightly more complicated since there is an outside of school online collaboration and Inquiries are based on the students independent research on a topic or question of their own. Each model of instruction requires the knowledge of today's fast paced technological environment and it is necessary to bring students into this world with as much knowledge as possible.
My cooperating teacher at New Britain High School informs me that there is a SMART board set up in the computer lab and that they have access to ELMOS. They also have projectors in each classroom. Since the students will have access to a computer lab and the internet, I think having an Internet Workshop would be very beneficial for learning some background information on the literature I will be teaching. I could set up a worksheet with informational websites based specifically on the background or culture settings of certain texts and have the students share their collected information at the end of the week. It would be beneficial for them to know some background and a workshop would be a good way to achieve this.
Leu, D.J. (2000). Instructional Workshop and Webquests: Two Instructional Models. Retrieved from http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~djleu/cue/thu_handout2.pdf.
You clearly identified key elements of the models - nice citation... just make sure to include the page number when you are directly quoting.
ReplyDeleteAlso - near the beginning of your post you mention Leu... there should be citations there - or links to the handouts or online resources that you are describing.
The only thing I see missing is a connection to your future classroom. How could you see yourself implementing one (or more) instructional models in your own classroom?