Web Quest

At first I was a little bit intimidated by the Web Quest assignment; I wasn't sure how to even begin. I looked up many different Web Quests, and eventually found a website called "Filamentality". This site allows you to create and play with online options; on here I found an options that helps create Web Quests. It made things so easy by walking me through every aspect. Because I wasn't so concerned on the technical parts of it, I felt like I could be more creative.
I completed my Web Quest in the subject of Economics. Although I created it for a third grade class, I figured that this is a subject that I could adapt to cover many different grades. Because the subject area is so broad, I only covered money, supply and demand, and goods and services. I feel that students should get a pretty good understanding of the topic after exploring these areas. I also used the RubiStar site to create my assessment, which is also linked in my Quest.
The Web Quest was probably my favorite assignement. I had never created one before, and I am not sure that I would ever have thought to do one on my own. Once a topic idea is thought of, and what information you want to be learned, it really is simple to put together. There are also so many great websites out there for children to interact with, and a Web Quest is a great, guided way to allow that interaction.

Economics Web Quest

Fun with Data: Narrative

I would by lying if I said this assignment was easy for me. I feel like the whole process was a bit of a whirlwind, trying to figure out what I was doing and remember how I got to each point. However, I did learn a lot. In fact, I am have even begun to use some of my new skills "just for fun".
I am planning an August wedding, and am using Excel to keep track of guest, invitations sent, replies, etc. I am even trying to set up a budget sheet with it! Although it has been a little stressful, it really is a great tool and is useful to any teacher. I sort of look forward to playing around with it to expand my understanding even more.


My Narrative

Fun with Data: Manipulating Raw Data

For this assignment I had to have some assistance from my mom. She is an accountant and understands Excel. Once she showed me how to do the whole formula thing, it was not nearly as bad and I had anticipated. I can actually say that it all kind of made since. However, the way she taught me was different that described in the assignment link, but I still got the job finished. Although Excel and its formulas can be a bit mind blowing, I see how useful it can be when trying to look at data in a timely manner...something teachers are always trying to do :-)

Manipulating Raw Data

Fun with Data: Formatting

To be honest, Microsoft Excel intimidates me. A lot. The idea of all these formulas with endless posibilities is a bit overwhelming. So, when I would ever have to use Excel, I never really experimented with shortcuts, I just prayed and got the job done the best I could. Therefore, these next few assignments, I fear, will be challenging. So far, the formatting step was not difficult, I tried to use logic to make Year 2 and 3 look like Year 1. I'm not sure what the steps actualy were, but I think I accomplished the task. Though I have a mental block with Excel, I do know the importance of it. I know people that rely on it for EVERYTHING! Therefore, I am excited to continue with the next assignments and expand my knowledge and confidence.

Formatting with Excel

Assessment Form

Creating this quiz was so easy! It is a great tool for a quick assessment, or to "spice things up". The templates for each type of questions are really nice. Also, students could use this tool to create a question. The questions could then be compiled for a quiz. I created a short quiz to follow up a social studies unit on "Communities".

My Communities Quiz

RubiStar

I have created several rubrics to use as a form of assessment in my teaching experiences. Rubrics are wonderful because they help expand assessment forms and activities that are done in the classroom. I have used various "rubric-making" websites. However, I was always given a blank template in which I filled in the desired criteria. I loved how the Rubistar website have criteria already created for various subjects and project ideas. For the rubric I created, I wrote my own criteria for an existing project because there was not an already made template that was suitable. However, the site was extremely easy to navigate and the results were very usable. I had done a job fair activity during my student teaching experience where groups researched a career then presented their career in booths, where information would be provided to the rest of the class.
I will definately refer to this site. Students could also contribute to the use of this site by helping to decide what they should be assessed on. By take responsibility in this way, they may work harder to create a successful product.

My Rubric