Webquest+Inquiry+Mary

__Web Quest Inquiry Assignment __


 * =__**Introduction**__=

It’s all over the news, the avian bird flu (H5N1 virus) **//May//** become a global pandemic. What is this news story all about? Well, as a member of a World Health Organization research team you will use the resources of the Internet to prepare a

report to the United Nations. Your purpose is to cut through the news hype by getting at the facts of this story. Separate the facts from the fiction and give the United Nations your best advice as to how this organization should be handling

this "crisis." This website contains some great [|Resources] for your research, but like all content on the Internet, you need to keep informed of the latest information. Keep searching for the latest research from reputable sources and your

team will have the confidence to complete this task. Your next step is to proceed to the **Task** Read the task carefully it will give you an overview of what activities you will be accomplishing. GOOD LUCK!

**My Revisions:**
While the introduction means well, it lacks evidence of an essential question. As educators, we strive to urge our students to think outside the box. With a question such as, “Avian Flu has been running rampant in your town; you are the sole

medical research analyst in the area. Everyone wants to know where this virus has come from and what we are going to do to stop it. When the health and wellness of your peers __**IS**__ in your hands, would you crack under pressure? Prove it! ”


 * =__**Task**__=

Your task in this webquest is to collaborate as a team of scientists and to prepare a report based on your research. Using the [|Resource] page of this webquest begin your research and prepare a report for the United Nations containing your

recommendations for a proposed course of action as to how this organization should address this possible global threat, the avian bird flu influenza (H5N1). You will be working as a team with each member assigned to specific roles.

**My Revisions:**
I had to rate this portion of the webquest low as well sue to missing information. While it is making an attempt as authenticity, it is more of a research assignment rather than an open ended problem solving situation. Together, with your team

devise a working plan that will help solve this epidemic in your neighborhood. Not only must you research the virus and find out possible cures. You will also need to find ways of delegating the responsibilities and muster up the money for

this research by fundraising. Who will you consult and __**how will be important**__ factors in this area of your task.


 * =__**Process**__=

Each team member will be assigned the role of either a Science Researcher (SR), a Pharmaceutical Project Manager (PPM), or a WHO Official (WHOO). Your team's goal is to report your findings and recommendations to the United

Nations as to which plan of action the UN should take regarding the possibilities of H5N1 becoming a global pandemic.

My Revisions:
Often times our students need less direction and more guidance. The process written above is clearly delineating a sequence of regurgitated facts that are expected. As educators, we should never under-estimate the creativity of our

students. Using words such as “choice” and “opportunity” are useful tools in providing these broad guidelines. I would leave the lines of presentation open to the student by giving examples such as: create an urgent newsletter, make a live

emergency news report, write a chapter in a medical journal, conduct a mock PTA meeting at the local high school.. then leave the lines open to their own creative idea. This creates a more open ended, realistic, easy to follow, yet not so

obvious process for the student.


 * COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS **

Hi Mary! I like you revisions. I agree that the original project seemed more like a research paper, as opposed to an open-ended problem solving situation. Your revision to the introduction and task take this assignment to the next level, by getting the students to engage in higher order thinking by putting themselves in the above mentioned situation and come up with their own plan of action. I also like how you are giving the students the opportunity of choosing their own way of presenting their information. The only things that I would fix are the two typos that I bolded, underlined, and put in capital letters. --JEN

COMMENTS:

Hi Mary, I like your revisions, particularly your change to the process. I agree with you that “we should never under-estimate the creativity of our students.” Your revised process would make your students be more interested in this task and create new information. I made no change to your revisions. -- QI

Victoria's Comments Mary, you set a much more real and personal scenario to place the students in than the original, which I really like. You also made the task far more open ended and creative. Your process is also really great, I like the varied methods of presentation. I would make sure the students have to 'pitch' their ideas to the teacher beforehand, and maybe have them self-assess as well so there is no slacking going on or anything.