Project URL:
http://teachersnetwork.org/
everywhere/Reed/Trip_Home.htm
How
it works:
My Trip Quest is a traditional
research project that has incorporated technology to
give students’ 21st century tools and induce a
high level of excitement and involvement. This project
is innovative because it breaks the traditional research,
writing and presenting norms.
My goal in developing this Trip Quest was to introduce students to
research and incorporate realism to raise their level of excitement
and involvement. At the core of the Quest is a research paper focusing
on a foreign country. Students are allowed to select the country
they want to visit and research. I encourage them to chose a country
that they have a connection to either through heritage, through a
family visit or through previous knowledge about that country. The
students are grouped into continent teams and have both group and
individual responsibilities.
Standards addressed:
Applying
Educational Technologies - My Trip Quest exposes students to leading
edge technology, and incorporates web research, word processing, spreadsheet
and publishing to occur in a timely and spontaneous manner; Exploration
and Use of Technology to Gain Knowledge - This project makes technology
an integral part of the learning environment and offers students opportunities
to both teach and learn in project-based assignments; Technology
to Enhance Skills and Facilitate Learning - Students use a variety
of software programs and are given the freedom to explore new tools,
such as Inspiration software or PowerPoint; Applying Information
Skills – Final projects show that students have a clear
understanding of copyright laws, citing references, and understand
the need to analyze web resources for credibility.
Assessment:
The students are evaluated on
their research report and final presentation in a grading
rubric that resides on the web site.
Students earn up to four points in each of the following
categories:
Content - Report included 4 subjects: history,
geography, culture and traditions; Format -
A neat, complete report cover and table of contents was
included; Intro and conclusion - An introduction
and conclusion with included thesis statements; Accuracy -
Report was neat, with accurate spelling and no mistakes; Bibliography -
Accurate bibliography was produced with accurate citations; Sources -
Identified and evaluated four different useful sources; Note
cards/Organizer - Evidence of paraphrasing and organizing
of subtopics with few errors; Cooperation -
Contributed to the group and supported others; Homework -
All work was completed on homework assignments; Project -
A professional, creative and neat project was produced; Presentation -
Student was prepared and professional during presentation; Budget -
Budget included travel, food, lodging and sightseeing; Spreadsheet -
A complete spreadsheet was produced; Sightseeing -
A detailed two day schedule for sightseeing was included.
The learning from this unit is evident in subsequent research projects.
Students understand Internet research, bibliographies, note taking
and research writing. Students also quickly incorporate the many
software programs in subsequent classroom projects and presentations.
Overall value:
The students were so excited about starting
this program they pleaded to take on more work. They worked with
the librarian in note taking and during the first writing workshop
they didn’t want to stop writing their rough drafts. The budget
portion of the project makes the students feel rich and they are
fascinated with the power of Excel programming. Expository writing
lessons have helped students complete well organized and interesting
research topic paragraphs.
Tips:
Although this program
was designed for the computer, individual teachers can determine
the extent in which they want to incorporate technology. A computer
lab is the ideal setting for teaching the Trip Quest. A lab allows
multiple students to research and work on their reports. The program
can be introduced in a classroom with one presenting computer and
students can rotate in centers. Each worksheet and handout is on
the site and can be printed out. Students work with the hard copy
of their spreadsheet to record the travel quotes they obtain. A travel
agency could be a source on costs as well a newspaper or travel magazine.
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Clare Taylor
About the teacher:
Clare Taylor is a 5th grade teacher at Louise Duffy Elementary School
in West Hartford, Connecticut. Clare brings to teaching 10
years in broadcasting and 10 years of computer marketing. She
has integrated technology into every subject and her students
are motivated and excited about learning.
E-mail:
clare_taylor@whps.org
Subject
Areas:
Social Studies
Mathematics
Writing
Grade
Levels:
5th and above
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