Entering into the body of work...

Entering the body of work this week and I am finding it a bit challenging to keep up with the many facets of this course. However, I must say that I had a breakthrough regarding the web quest assignment. At first, when I submitted my proposal, I thought I would be going one direction with my web quest. However, after receiving feedback, I found myself languishing over how to fix it. After few days, it dawned on me. I realized not only what topic and process would be appropriate foe the web quest, but also how to make it a part of the lesson, rather than the lesson itself. I kept thinking that the web quest needed to be a start to finish task that stood separate from any other lesson. But as I thought about it, I realized how to make it an activity to engage students into a new facet of a larger lesson. I am working with he concept of bias in research. Bias fits into the larger context of study design. After teaching on research design, I plan on having students use the  web quest to focus specifically on bias in its many forms. The task will have students investigating and identifying bias in the short term. The long term task is to have students design their very own statistical study, free from as much bias as possible. The students will be using the web to do some background research, seth a mechanism for data collection, and design a viable research question. I think that this is an authentic way to use the web to complete a task of greater value than the lesson itself. The statistical study design will be used in the spring to be the bassi for their project. Having student begin early on the major project will give them plenty of time to revise their ideas, while incorporating new ideas learned along the way. Also, starting early will reduce the amount of work needed in the spring. I really struggled with this web quest concept. I understand it in theory, but the practice was tripping me up. I feel like the website will go a bit smoother...until I get the feedback...