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 Ratings
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| Reviewed: |
Oct 07, 2008 by Teacher Education |
| Overview: |
This is a web-site that uses on-line resources that include information and data bases to help children solve problems, answer questions. The resources and the tasks are spelled out clearly. |
| Learning Goals: |
Each project sets its own learning goals. Although in general the goal is to use resources on the internet to answer questions and solve problems. Critical thinking is encouraged because of the open nature of the assignments. The goals are based on the NCTM 2000 goals and include problem solving, reasoning, communication, connections and representation. |
| Target Student Population: |
All ages of students. Projects can be written for the appropriate grade level. While all students would benefit, this could provide solutions for gifted students who need a special product to let them explore. |
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
Basic math knowledge and some of the activities may require additional knowledge to complete, such as how to develop spreadsheets, graphs, and tables |
| Type of Material: |
Collection |
| Recommended Uses: |
This site was developed for teachers to use with their students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. It is also useful in teacher education classes, particularly in math methods classes. Any classes where connections to real life are considered important would benefit from this site. |
| Technical Requirements: |
Ability to use the World-Wide-Web and read sufficiently well to understand the material. |
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| Strengths: |
The math WebQuests that I was able to access were based on valid math concepts. The WebQuest examples followed the classic WebQuest format. The WebQuests were divided into three academic levels, elementary, middle, and high school. Since the WebQuests follow a common format,they are easy for the students and teacher to use.
This website also links to the developer of the WebQuest format, Bernie Dodges's WebQuest page. |
| Concerns: |
The webquests are only as good as the person designing them. These require thought and planning time. The concept is excellent, but the preparation time for developing one independently could be daunting.
Many of the WebQuests did not link. When trying to connect to some of the WebQuests, a message came up that indicated there was no such page. Other WebQuests had links within as resources that did not connect. |
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
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| Strengths: |
The Math WebQuests provide some math activities and examples of WebQuests. Teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels could use the WebQuests as math activities with their students.
Instructors could use this website in their math method courses in teacher education programs. The developed WebQuests could provide examples of ways to design activities that integrate technology around a read-world activity.
The main page provides an introduction to WebQuests. |
| Concerns: |
There is only a small number of examples that are complete with working links. The examples given on the web-site are excellent. These are learning assignments. The material to be used depends on the grade of the student and intent of the teacher. |
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
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| Strengths: |
The website has a basic layout design and is easy to navigate. Students and teachers could use this website easily. |
| Concerns: |
Several of the links do not connect. |
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