Notes
This project can stand alone, but I use it in a senior level writing class as a precursor to a problem-solution research paper. The project allows the students to do preliminary research, which helps to orient them toward looking at credible Internet sites as well as both the problem and solutions to fix the issue.

Why Teach Technology in Schools?
Please read my justification for utilizing technological learning such as this webQuest.

Standards

This webquest meets many Arizona State Technology Standards as well as Arizona State Language Arts Content Standards (Proficiency area).

Technology Standards

STANDARD 3: TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS

Students use technology tools to enhance learning, to increase productivity and creativity, and to construct technology-enhanced models, prepare publications and produce other creative works.

3T-P1. Communicate to a variety of audiences using professional level technology tools

PO 1. Create documents using professional format (e.g., résumé, letter of application, electronic portfolio, research paper)

PO 2. Merge information from one document to another (e.g., mail merge, publish and subscribe)

PO 3. Create a document that utilizes hyperlinks (e.g., Web link in documents, linking a word to a glossary, creating an interactive index)

3T-P3. Use technology tools to publish and present information with interactive features

PO 1. Design and create a multimedia presentation or Web site with interactive features (e.g., animation, sound, action buttons to play, video, control devices, open other applications, link to a Web site)

 

STANDARD 4: TECHNOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS

Building on productivity tools, students will collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts and other audiences using telecommunications and media.

4T-P1. Routinely and efficiently use online information resources to meet needs for collaboration and communications See: Language Arts (W-P2-6) and Workplace Skills (1WP-P5)

PO 1. Using criteria for research in Standard 5, create an end product (e.g., multimedia presentation, publication, Web page) to disseminate the information

4T-P2. Manage and communicate personal and professional information utilizing technology tools and resources See: Language Arts (W-P2-6) and Workplace Skills (7WP-P1, 1WP-P3)

PO 1. Plan and present a product appropriate to the task

4T-P3. Using technology, collaborate with peers, experts, and others to contribute to a content-related knowledge base See: Workplace Skills (1WP-P3-6 and P9, 4WP-P1)

PO 1. Contribute digitized material (e.g., video interviews, scanned pictures, text, and graphic information) to a project archive and create links to resource material

 

STANDARD 5: TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH TOOLS

Note: The performance objectives described in Standard 5 rely upon the mastery of skills and understanding of concepts from Standards 1-4 of this document

Students will utilize technology-based research tools to locate and collect information pertinent to the task as well as evaluate and analyze information from a variety of sources.

5T-P1. Develop a research strategy to find accurate, relevant, appropriate electronic information sources

PO 4. Evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of electronic resources (e.g., purpose, credibility of author)

5T-P3. Present research findings from electronic resources using academic models for citations and format See: Workplace Skills (1WP-P10, 2WP-P2)

PO 1. Utilize evaluation criteria (authority, accuracy, relevancy, timeliness) for information found on the Internet to present research findings

PO 2. Create citations for resources used following an academic model to present research findings

 

Arizona State Language Arts Standards

Standard 1: Reading

R-P1.Apply reading strategies such as extracting, summarizing, clarifying, and interpreting information; predicting events and extending the ideas presented; relating new information toprior knowledge; supporting assertions with evidence; and making useful connections to other topics to comprehend works of literature and documents

PO 4. Extend ideas presented in the text

PO 5. Connect prior knowledge to information available

R-P3.Evaluate the author's persuasive techniques in written selections such as editorials, essays, reviews and critiques

PO 1. Distinguish use of fact and opinion

 

Standard 2: Writing

W-P1.Use transitional devices; varied sentence structures; the active voice; parallel structures; supporting details, phrases and clauses; and correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar and usage to sharpen the focus and clarify the meaning of their writings

PO 1. Use transitions (e.g., conjunctive adverbs, coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions) where appropriate

PO 2. Vary sentence structure (e.g., compound, complex, compound-complex)

PO 3. Use active voice as appropriate to purpose (e.g., creative writing, expository writing)

PO 4. Use parallel structure appropriately

PO 5. Sharpen the focus and clarify the meaning of their writing through the appropriate use of

*capitalization

*standard grammar and usage (e.g., subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement and consistency of verb tense)

*spelling, with the use of a dictionary/thesaurus (as needed)

*punctuation (e.g., comma, ellipsis, apostrophe, semicolon, colon)

 

Standard 3: Listening And Speaking

Deliver a polished speech that is organized and well suited to the audience and that uses resource materials to clarify and defend positions

 

Standard 4: Viewing And Presenting

Plan, organize, develop, produce and evaluate an effective multimedia presentation, using tools such as charts, photographs, maps, tables, posters, transparencies, slides and electronic media

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