1b-done

**1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity**
Teachers:

b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
[|Webquest on Nazi Medical Experiments]


 * Description**

Of all the topics I’ve taught, I find the Holocaust to be the most interesting. So, when I took EDT 525 and was required to create a WebQuest, I knew immediately in which subject area it would be. However, I needed to make it just one portion of the unit my team and I taught. In speaking with the science teacher, she mentioned that she would be interested in pursuing a discussion with students on medical experiments completed by the Nazis. She did just that…and the discussion was quite lively. One student brought up the question of whether or not the information gained during these experiments should be used today, given what horrifying conditions those in the internment camps suffered. Knowing this was a worthy conversation, I decided to create my WebQuest on that topic. To outline for students what needed to be completed, there’s an Introduction, a description of the Task, and a description of the Process (which asks students to visit various websites). After reading (or listening) to the information, the student is asked to write a persuasive essay answering the two essential questions: 1. Should information from the medical experiments completed during the Holocaust be shared with the public? Why or why not? 2. Should information gained from the medical experiments completed during the Holocaust be used during current medical research? Why or why not? A rubric I created for grading is under the section “Evaluation”. Under “Conclusion” I relate it to bullying in our schools, empowering students to make a difference. Lastly, credits are included and in the “Teacher” section, I include some helpful tips for scoring and ways to make it more universally designed.


 * Analysis**

I chose this artifact because this particular part of the unit focuses on a real-world situation and makes students pick a point of view with which they agree. Teachers who have used the WebQuest explained how as students shared their arguments, they created a debate-style atmosphere (another real, authentic learning opportunity for them). This topic is not only a dilemma for seventh grade students, but one adults wrestle with as well.

Students use the tools suggested at their own pace…digital tools are the perfect resource for these kinds of lessons. Nova’s website allows for students to choose a side at which point it poses some questions to REALLY make the student think.


 * Appraise**

In creating this WebQuest, I had several hopes: 1. To include a new part of a unit in which students seemed to have an interest. 2. To become familiar with the WebQuest process (since this was new to me). 3. To find tools that ALL students could use to develop an informed opinion.

Of all the subjects I’ve taught and all the units students have completed, the one on the Holocaust catches their attention the most. Showing the conditions in which so many people suffered helps the egocentric adolescents realize there are others out in the world and we should do what we can to help them. As this originated from students, I learned it was not only those initial students who were interested, but also others as well. So, I definitely met my “number 1” above.

Since I created the WebQuests successfully, I would admit that I am now familiar with the process.

With the MLTI laptops providing tools for universal design, regardless of whether or not someone has a disability, all students can access the information at the various sites listed. Scribing or voice-recognition software could be used to help those with a learning disability in writing.


 * Transform**

Learning about and creating a WebQuest was huge for me. I have shared mine with several teachers and though not all will use it, it has helped their wheels spin thinking of how they could make one of their own. As our district’s technology plan continues to grow and include teachers accessing server space, I look forward to seeing how my colleagues may use this tool. Perhaps I will be providing professional development to those in my district who are interested in creating their own WebQuests.

Knowing what to look for in WebQuests that others have created to see if it’s something teachers in our school would be interested has allowed me to forward “good” ones on to peers. The more tools we have available, the more we can personalize our students’ education, so I am excited to have yet another resource at my fingertips!