Whose space is it?
A WebQuest for Middle School and High School Teachers
Designed by Olga LaPlante
Introduction
This WebQuest was created as final assignment for the Telecommunications in K-12 course.
The intent of the author was to create a solid training activity for teachers who would like to learn more about social-networking sites, and participate in decisions their school and/or school districts are making about AUP's. We didn't want to impose a particular opinion; instead, the intent was to scaffold a discussion and instigate further exploration of the issue.
Learners
This WebQuest is intended for teachers and administrators; however, it's conceivable that parents may benefit from this format and content.
It is realistic to assume that administrators won't have quite an open mind about this issue. Therefore, the facilitator must take that into account, and help such participants understand the purpose of the webquest, and eventually accept this as reality, and their responsibility to teach proper use of social networks and safety on the web.
It's also possible to modify the content or put a different spin on the task to make it appropriate for high school students.
Some basic internet browsing skills are expected in order to complete the WebQuest.
Curriculum Standards
ISTE-NETS-T
I. Technology Operations and Concepts:
B. demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.
II. Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences:
C. identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.
V. Productivity and Professional Practice:
B. continually evaluate and reflect on professional practice to make informed decisions regarding the use of technology in support of student learning.
D. use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student learning.
VI. Social, Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues:
A. model and teach legal and ethical practice related to technology use.
D. promote safe and healthy use of technology resources.
Process
The presumption is that all teachers will have various opinions as well as a different degree of familiarity with the issue of social networking sites.
It's essential that participants have a chance to discuss and compare their findings and thoughts. Therefore groups (pairs) should be formed. It can be done through any of the random grouping techniques.
Make sure the navigation is clear to participants to avoid unnecessary frustration. To expand the links, click on the respective link group title. Directions are given on page; encourage participants to read them carefully.
For the final project, it will be up to the facilitator's discretion whether it will be individual work or a group project. Same is true about the comment participants are expected to post on line to the Edutopia site.
It might take two-three hours, depending on the depth of the investigation, and the final product that is expected. The choices for the final project may be limited or expanded, depending on a particular school (system) needs and goals.
It seems there is an abundance of links. However, the nature of the subject is such that it's likely the links will become quickly out-of-date. I will try to update them on a regular basis; however, please check them for availability and current information, and of course, add your own resources freely to suit the goal.
Conclusion
There are basically two essential issues, one is the safety on social-networking sites, ethical issues and appropriate use, and the other one is more of instructional use of social networking sites.
More scaffolding for safety and appropriate use, as well as parental involvement, is posted than examples and ideas about curriculum integration. Therefore, it's quite open-ended!
Resources Needed
- Computer per participant, with Internet connection, broadband recommended.
- Articles from printed newspapers may make a great complementary resource, as well as offer a different perspective.
- Paper for notes, or word-processing applications.
Evaluation
Participants will be able to articulate and support their opinion about social-networking sites, as well as will have gained some ideas about their integration into instruction practices, and will be able to make a statement and offer advice and resources to parents.
Credits & References
To acquire the latest version of this template and training materials, go to Design Patterns
We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.
Last updated on May 8, 2007 . Based on a template from The WebQuest Page