This WebQuest is a role play simulation through which student groups select one of six different Spanish-speaking countries to research and then plan an excursion to. Through specific roles, students collaborate to plan a trip that has been thoroughly researched and includes consideration of economic and geographical features of the country, culture and places of interest, activities, weather, budget, exchange rates, and health and safety advisories. Students conduct this research through Internet sites and, based on their role descriptions, make recommendations for foreign travel. Students then collaborate among group members to create a PowerPoint presentation on the country they have researched.
Type of Material:
WebQuest / Simulation
Technical Requirements:
PC with Internet and Microsoft PowerPoint
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Through research, collaboration, and discussion with other groups in the class, students construct and demonstrate extensive knowledge of a Spanish-speaking country, as well as experience the real-life process of planning a trip to a foreign country. Students also gain and expand upon previous knowledge of using the Internet for research and PowerPoint as a presentation tool.
Target Student Population:
As indicated on this WebQuest's homepage, this is a "multi-disciplinary and multicultural WebQuest designed for students in grades 8-12" which can be utilized and/or adapted for Social Studies, Geography, Spanish Language, and Technology.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
The prerequisite knowledge and skills for this WebQuest vary as regards the level and content area for which it will be used. For all areas and levels, however,
students should have basic knowledge of Internet navigation and of PowerPoint. Adaptations can be made for alternative culminating activities. For Spanish classes, the criteria for target language use in the research and presentation materials should be appropriate to the level of students.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This site is clear, well-organized, and visually appealing. It offers students an opportunity to utilize a wide range of skills and, through roles, takes into consideration students of varying abilities and learning styles. It draws upon students' interests in technology and the Internet and allows students to demonstrate problem-solving skills as well as creativity. The criteria and evaluation are clear and presented for students within the WebQuest. It can be easily adapted for use across levels and content areas and provides follow-up questions, extension activities, and alignment with standards.
Concerns:
Several sights were no longer accessible through the URL hyperlinks on the Resource Page. However, there were still a sufficient amount of sights for students to access ample information. The home URL's were provided on the error page and these links should be updated to reflect the new addresses in the hyperlinks. Thorough teacher preparation is required so that student questions may be answered in reference to both content and technical concerns.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Presentation of materials involves both faculty and students' abilities to teach and learn the materials through the nature of the "realia" used. Most of the linked sites are authentic and/or official sites for the countries indicated. Materials are language/culture-based and can be used in a variety of ways to achieve the range of teaching and learning goals presented. The teaching-learning goals are many as this lesson was designed to be used across levels and content areas, therefore, these goals should be made level and content area specific. This is a web-based lesson therefore there is no need for the instructor to write additional learning assignments for this lesson. If desired,
however, such supplementary materials could be easily created based on the materials presented.
Concerns:
One of the requirements is that students must turn in a fact sheet, but there is no link provided to access this from the site. This must then be created by the teacher ahead of time. Because there are several steps and criteria throughout the process, it would also be helpful to students to have a schedule of due dates for each assignment. Finally, an explanation should be provided to students on the requirements for the storyboard, which serves as a preliminary layout for the PowerPoint presentations.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is attractive and clearly organized. Motivating animations are tied to the tasks and content. Students can easily navigate the information required to complete the well articulated tasks.
Concerns:
Some links to the resource sites students need to complete their tasks are dead and need updating.
Creative Commons:
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