Implementing the Change: Introducing my students to WebQuest - Week 6, Post 2

Implementing the technological change in my classroom:

In the last few weeks I had started taking my Grade 9 students to the computer laboratory for their English classes. Familiarizing them with the computer was my first task. What helped immensely was that the students who are already familiar with computers, helped out the ones who are not. While I had to go to take my other classes, I involved this class in peer learning. As the students are eager to learn, they have picked up from their friends quickly. I have also started to familiarize them with the Internet. This is turning out to be a bit difficult as the internet connectivity in my school is very poor.

My Grade 9 students in the Computer Lab!

This week, I introduced them to the WebQuest, “Best Places to Visit in Kolkata” (URL: http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=263128). On Monday, I showed them the WebQuest and explained how it works. Then I showed them the Zunal site (URL: http://zunal.com/index.php). After showing the students a few examples of WebQuests (Courtney’s Adventure Trip and Going to Movies) on Tuesday, things became clearer for them.

I divided the class into five groups of five students each on Wednesday and asked them to select a place of interest that they would like to visit with their group. The students were excited and were jumping with joy on hearing that they can go for a trip. It was fun to watch their joy! I helped them to navigate the webpage related to Kolkata from the Government website (URL: http://westbengaltourism.gov.in/web/guest/kolkata). Next, I asked them to get written consent from their parents regarding the trip. Then, I asked them to decide where each group would like to go. As the students were planning to go to places situated far off in their excitement, I intervened and narrowed down the options. Soon we reached a consensus and the places were finalized. The students came up with the idea of giving a name to their group and I agreed. The whole process was a lot of fun!

On Thursday, I gave them the printout of the Questionnaire I had prepared and explained that they had to collect information about the place they are going to visit. Later, they would have to submit the handouts as part of written work. We went over the questions in the questionnaire and discussed how information could be gathered.

On Friday, the students submitted the parents’ written consent and it was decided that they would visit the place they had chosen on Sunday. As the internet connectivity was down on Friday, we could not go to the Computer Lab. Instead, there was a class discussion about the places the groups were to visit and plans regarding what to take along, camera arrangements, bus routes and what to eat was finalized. I just put down one condition, all discussions should be in English. This was taken very well by the students and even the shy ones spoke a lot.

Next day, Saturday, we could visit the Wikipedia site (URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Places_of_interest_in_Kolkata) and students jotted down some important facts about the places they had chosen to visit.

Now, I am waiting to hear all about their trip on Monday!

Live Presentations by past participants of UO E -Teacher Program:

Thanks a lot to Courtney for inviting us all to see the live presentations by the past participants who are currently attending UO’s continuing E-Teacher Professional Development Program. Three days were designated this week for their live presentations. I could not connect on the first day, 12^th November, 2014. However, I could enjoy the presentations on 13^th and 14^th. Gordana and Leourn joined the live presentations too.

The arrangements made by the UO team was fantastic and I was really surprised to see that they were constantly updating what was being done in the classroom for our clear understanding. Brilliant job, guys! Thanks for the experience!