Pen and Paper: The Fascinating World of English

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Motivation- Students are more motivated to work on webquests because they are a different instructional method. The student is put in charge of their learning by having to find the information.
Collaboration- If a student is unable to find an answer they can work with a partner to find the answer.
Higher-Level Thinking- The questions require students to think about the question and create a suitable answer. Webquests are not about finding the answer and spitting it back out.
Technology- Students are able to use a computer and find the answers on the provided websites.
Resources- Students are able to see multiple resources for a particular topic.
Research- Students have to find the answer instead of having the teacher tell them what the correct answer is.
In-Depth- Students are able to learn more in-depth about a particular subject, within the limits the teacher has set.
Constructivist Approach- Allows students to work more hands-on on an assignement.
Explore Issues- Students are able to learn new things on their own and they are able to read websites that are devoted to the topic.
Facilitator- The teacher becomes the facilitator helping students when they get lost on the Webquest. The teacher can guide the students to the answer if they are struggling with the assignment.

Storyline- If students have a storyline to follow, they may be more apt to paying attention to the video and see how it progresses.
Relate- If a video is chosen that students can relate to in some form, they may be able to take away the lesson from the video.
Creativity- If the assignment is to create a video based on a topic taught in class, the student will walk away knowing more about the topic beacuse they had to do more research.
Illustrate Examples- Shows examples that would help visual learners remember the information better than lecturing about the information.
Common Base of Knowledge- If all of the students have a base learning on one topic, in general, then they are at the same understanding as their peers.
Teach Effectively- Teachers can teach their topic more effectively because it is an alternative way to teaching the topic and presents the information in a new way.
Active Class Discussion- Students are more likely to participate in class discussion if they feel like they have a voice about the topic being taught.
Lesson Objectives- Videos can be connected to lesson objectives to help the students learn the topic better.
Keep it Simple- Videos that are too complex may not keep the students attention and they may not care to learn.
Short Clips- Can be used to introduce a topic, for example an English teacher can use the Schoolhouse Rock video on "Subjects and Predicates" as an intro to the lesson on subject and predicates.

New way to Teach- Allows students to see the teacher and be able to look at Power Point slides at the same time.
Need Clarification?- Allows students to go back to a specific slide and hear the teacher explain the concept again.
Visual/Auditory Learners- Accomodates visual/auditory learners to hear and see the information.
Have a question?- Students can take notes while they are watching the lecture and if they have a question that isn't addressed they can jot it down quickly.
Substitute Teacher- If the regular teacher is absent, the substitute can resume class without having to rely on worksheets.
Technology- Allows the teacher to use multiple technologies in one lecture, (i.e. Power Point, ELMO, etc...).
Classroom Webpages- Allows teachers to post Panopto so students can review the information that was presented in the lecture.
Information- Allows teachers to present information in-depth and cover any possible questions a student may come up with.
Independent Study- If a student misses class he/she can go back and watch the lecture and do an alternate assignment.
Clear Lectures- Forces the teacher to think of the lecture ahead of time and what he/she wants to cover in the presentation.

"Wow" Factor- Different than Power Point, helps keep students attention on the lecture better than a regular Power Point.
Post- Can post Prezi on the class webpage for later viewing.
Study Tool- Allows students to get the information they need for an upcoming assignment/ test without having to read through watered down text.
Alternate Teaching Method- Provides a new tool for a teacher to present information versus old methods like lecturing or Power Point.
Videos- Can add videos that are pertinent to the information being presented.
Technology- Models another use of technology and online tools that are available at no cost.
Visual Learners- Allows visual learners to be engaged with what they are seeing, especially if there are more graphics than words.
Accessible- Can be accessed from any computer, no special software required.
Flows- Presentation flows easier from one idea to the next,able to group ideas together.
Engages Students- Students are used to seeing Power Point, Prezi allows students to have information presented to them in a new way.