Wrap Up

 I found working with projects and webquests very interesting. In the past I would have just given students projects to do. I would have first make sure students know what is expected of them and monitor them to make sure they are working on their projects. Then have them make their presentations.

This module has taught me how to make project work more meaningful, exciting , appealing and effective for students.

Developing a project and webquest can be very time consuming but the end result is very rewarding. I especially like the webquests although it was the hardest for me to do. There is so much you can do with it that can help the students to do well in their project like the assessment tools and other guidelines. The idea of group roles is also a very good idea as it ensures that each person has a role to play.

The webquest is so detailed for the student that as long as the teacher does it well and at a level that the students can understand they are not likely to go wrong.

I also got a good feeling of accomplishment when I saw the end result of my webquest.

I had no problem skipping between the Intel Elements and the wequests but I did not see the reason for the movement from one to the other. It did not make much sense to me but it was not really a problem.

Activity 9: Group Roles in a Project

Though this activity cost me a lot of time, I find the idea of group roles to be very good as it pins learners down to exactly what is expected of them. It keeps members of the group from writing irrelevant information. Learners are better able to grapple with the information when they put themselves into the roles of the projects. Learning is more enjoyable and effective when these are real life roles. The members of the group will be bringing different perspectives to the group so group members can learn from each other.
Because each member of the group has a specific role to play it ensures that all are actively involved in the group process and all has a role to play in the success of the results.

Activity 8: Setting the scene of a webquest

This  activity was a challenge to start off with but my creativity and imagination was stimulated as I was forced me to think about what I would like my learners to do and what they are expected to learn by doing so.
I also became excited as I watched my webquest developed into not just words but lovely and meaningful graphics too.
I have learned not to underestimate myself. I tend to think sometimes that some things are so difficult in the beginning until I delve into. I have also recognized how we can make learning and projects more exciting for learners when we move away sometimes from the traditional way of doing things.

Activity 7A: Introduction to Webquests

I think Webquests can make project work much more interesting and easier to manage for students.
It looks like the webquest will be a lot of work for the teacher to design though. I can see that it will be time consuming and demands that the teacher do a lot of research herself.
The teacher should not be daunted though as I think with practice she can get better at it. The teacher needs to bear in mind that what matters most is that it will make learning much easier and interesting for the learner.

Activity 10: The Flipped Classroom Approach: Best Practice

I think the flipped classroom when use appropriately has its place in teaching and learning. This approach can help students to learn at their own pace. The teacher can post material that the students can access without the limitations placed on classroom time. This can better prepare students to practice or question the material in class.
In Social Studies the teacher can post lots of useful material on topics such Government and Caricom which have a lot of concepts that students have difficulty grasping in class. The Fipped Classroom will give students time to look at the material before coming to class and better prepare them for  discussion and activities on the topics.

Activity 9: Managing Cell Phones in the Classroom

My attitude towards cellphones in the classroom has changed. I first saw them as a big distraction. Now I have come to realize that cell phones are a distraction because a lot of students only see phones as devices to be used for making and receiving phone calls and texts messages. I realize if teachers show students how the cell phone can be used for learning their whole attitude to the cell phone will change.
I also realize that the teacher has to put some rules in place for the management of its use in the classroom. Rules such as all phones must be turned off in class and phones that go off in class will be confiscated for a period. I realize that a well supervised use of cell phones in the classroom will minimize distractions.

Activiy 8: Managing Social Networking in the Classroom

 Social Networks have much to offer in teaching and learning in the classroom but it can also be a dangerous place for students. Students should be taught how they can benefit from social networking. Teacher can post notes for them and they can communicate with each other on assignments and projects. Students must also be taught about the dangers such as cyber bulling and predators.
Students need to be taught also about the careful use of social networks. They need to be taught things like not giving out personal information such as phone numbers and addresses.