Webquests for SCA Participants

When I first saw the assignment for this class on webquests I had NO idea what was expected of our final powerpoint to be submitted. The school I went to certainly didn't implement this form of "online education". We focused mainly on understanding how to use technology on our own to discover resources that were professional and legitimate.

However, in a facebook group that caters to historical seamstresses/tailors we were challenged to create an interactive tour of our blogs and the blogs of fellow reenactors to show new members where to look for and find appropriate inspiration, information, and techniques to utilize in their costume, and artifact creation.

Using the information from the webquest information that I learned I was able to create and embed a webquest onto my blog and think link it to our facebook group to act as a virtual tour guide in a beginners historical costuming quest. Pretty awesome if you ask me! It was a lot easier than emailing information and links back and forth for hours to multiple people.

From Sewing Blogger to Blogging for "Students"

I've been blogging for several years now focusing primarily on sewing and DIY, sharing tutorials, projects, competitions, and inspiration. So making the switch to learning about blogging for students has been VERY different though many of the techniques and theories can certainly breach the barrier into the sewing blogging world in the near future with my own blog. For me, many of the "teaching" aspects of utilizing a blog were foreign to me. My target demographic is women in their 20's-40's that love to sew, create, paint, and draw. They use me mostly as a resource for inspiration in regards to their own projects. However, through this class I have been able to slowly implement more "teaching" aspects into my daily blogging with tremendous success. I now have readers interacting more through comments and challenges as they implement what they learn along the way!

There will certainly be more implementation as we move forward!!!

Webquests in the Classroom

Webquests are designed for students to use technology collaboratively to complete a task for learning. Students use the internet as well as Microsoft PowerPoint to research topics and create products for learning.  I definitely plan on using webquests in my social studies classroom. I can see them being used as introductions to topics to assess for learning. I could also see them used as assessmentsof learning as end products.

Technology Class

Before this class, I considered myself a teacher who used the most up-to-date technology in the classroom. I quickly realized, however, that technology and the possibilities it enables are infinite and are continuously changing! I am thankful for the many opportunities of technological  exposure in this class. I am excited to try blogging, webquests, and podcasts in my classroom to adapt to 21st Century learners! I view the value of these and future advancements as essential tools to the learning process.
-Kristen Hinkle-Napier

Webquests

Just wanted to briefly say that all teachers need to do a Webquest.  I loved this assignment especially since we had to do it in PowerPoint.  I love to use PowerPoint.  You can make the presentations very exciting.  The latest version is especially exciting.  Some of the transitions and animations are great. 
It is a great way to get students excited about an assignment.  It makes them feel like they have a purpose or are going on an adventure.  I will definitely do more of these to present different ideas to students.

Computers: Love them or hate them!

Technology is a wonderful thing.  Somewhere along the way, I missed out on a few things. I am so glad I had to take this class.  I have learned a lot of new and exciting ways to help integrate technology in my classroom.  If we are going to teach today's children, we have to reach them where they are and that is in the world of technology.  If I get a good grade in this class, I can thank some of my students.  They helped me a long the way.