WebQuest (Reflection of week 6)

    

     WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented tool for learning; this means it is a classroom-based lesson in which most or all of the information that students explore and evaluate comes from the World Wide Web. Beyond that, WebQuests:

• can be as short as a single class period or as long as a month-long unit;
• usually (though not always) involve group work, with division of labor among students who take on specific roles or perspectives;
• Are built around resources that are preselected by the teacher. Students spend their time USING information, not LOOKING for it.

     As we know that WebQuest is one of the inquiry-based learning methods that the students are the center of learning. As I mentioned in the previous reflection these type of leanings were success when I try it with my students, and from my simple experience I apply WebQuest in explaining the project for the students to show them what the project should contain and how I am going to evaluate them. 

     I can say that using this will help my students a lot in the future because everything is clear about it such as: introduction, task, process, evaluation and conclusion. That's why it much easier to understand and apply than other strategies and methods.

Inquiry-based learning (Reflection of week 6)

     There is an old saying says: "Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand"

     From here comes the idea of Inquiry-based learning which means learning is mainly involving the learner and leading him to understand. Inquiry here implies on the possessing skills and attitude of yours, which allows you to ask questions about new resolutions and issues while you are gaining new information.

     Personally, I tried this type of learning in my classes last year, it was in specific area in ICT "creating movies using movie maker", I can say it was totally success experience and all of my students create amazing movies using this program.

     First I asked the students if they know anything about movie maker program, after that I evaluate their skills at that area, then I asked them to set in groups and search through the internet and try to find tips that is going to help them to improve themselves in that area.

    Finally, I discuss with them about this strategy of learning, they all agree and enjoy it and they said that they learn more because they create something and understand it; even they are able after the lesson to evaluate themselves and their movies.

    Now, when I think about the whole situation in applying this type of learning, I see that my role was a facilitator and motivator, also I surprised when I see what my students create it was amazing and they work hard to create the best.

    

In my opinion Inquiry-based learning is focusing in what the students know and try to improve it, build on what they know and interested in and encourage meta-cognitive thinking that’s why I decide to apply it.