Bernie Dodge describes explains that traditional lesson plans and instruction do not push the students enough. He gives the example of students who are asked to do a report on Canada, but quickly forget the information once the project is completed. The principle to "Challenge your learners to think" illustrates the importance for students to be engaged in their learning to make it meaningful.
In our Web Quest about different Spanish speaking countries, students will be challenged to seek information as well as relate the information to previous assumptions and information. They will have the opportunity to really acquire the information and understand the application of it. Web Quests are a great way to get students involved with their learning.
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I also really like the "challenge your learners to think" part of the article. Much of our educational experiences should include not just intake of information, but the means to develop the ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply the information.
ReplyDeleteThis needs to be a focus of every teacher, whether or not they are involving their students in WebQuests.
I also liked that principle of challenging learners to think. I think students are more motivated when they are given a type of challenge that is fun and of interest to them. I also agree that this principle applies to all kinds of instruction and that it is something teachers should be utilizing on a day-to-day basis.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that challenging learners to think is one of the most important aspects to consider when planning a lesson, especially a webquest. With the myriad of information that is offered on the web, there are plenty of opportunities to expand student learning more than perhaps possible in a regular lecture style lesson. Like you said, WebQuests are great to get students involved in their learning, and when they take part in it they own it and are more likely to remember what they have learned!
ReplyDeleteChallenging learners is something we all hope to do as educators. If we could use all of the suggestions in Dodge's article in our WebQuests I think our students would be sufficiently challenged.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that challenging our learners is what education is veering towards. In all of my education classes, we focus alot on collaborative and discovery learning that challenge the student and not just help them learn to memorize. I agree that giving our students opportunities to be challenged makes the learning process more meaningful because they have to work hard to reap the benefits.
ReplyDeletei once again eco what everyone says above me that CHALLENGING the learning is very very important and that is what we strive for as an educator. Webquest can help us do that as long as we create an appropriate webquest.
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