D Warzon Multimedia Design Project Report
D Warzon Multimedia Design Project Report
Analysis
The learning environment of this project was in a resource (special education smaller
class) Economics class that consisted of 7 students. The grade level of most of the
students is 12th grade. All of the students speak English. The students have different
disabilities such as ADD, specific learning disability, and autism. Over the course of the
year the students have worked with computers and the Google tools that are used in the
project. This was the first time the students experienced project-based learning this
semester. The class meets daily for 55 minutes. Chromebooks will be used to help
implement this project. With so many students with specific learning disabilities in
reading in the class it was important to have text to voice technology. To make that
accommodation the students will use iSpeak. By the end of this web quest the students
will be able to compare and contrast the different economic systems and explain the three
basic economic questions.
This WebQuest addressed the following ISTE-S Standards:
ISTE 1. Creativity and innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative
products and processes using technology.
a. Applying existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
2. Communication and collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively,
including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of
others.
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a
variety of digital environments and media.
3. Research and information fluency
Students apply digital tools gather, evaluate, and use information.
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information
from a variety of sources and media.
Daniel Warzon
5. Digital citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and
practice legal and ethical behavior.
a. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports
collaboration, learning, and productivity.
Design
Overview
In designing this WebQuest I tried to pick a topic that I could have the students
look at real world examples that were current. Often times students do not get to
explore current information with social studies. The students are required to do
research exploring modern day economic systems. The project is challenging for
senior level high school students, but provides enough guidance for the students
with disabilities. There are videos used to help introduce and reiterate the basic
ideas. The students also access and explore the CIA World Fact book to help them
find current information on countries and their economic systems. The students
also with complete an activity from the Council for Economic Education that
helps explain the purpose of public policies.
Council for Economic Education
http://hseconomics.councilforeconed.org/static/activities/Lesson_28_Activities.pd
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Crash Course
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B43YEW2FvDs&index=3&list=PL8dPuuaLj
XtPNZwz5_o_5uirJ8gQXnhEO
University Now
https://vimeo.com/97881829
Details
The process was differentiated to allow students learn in multiple different ways.
There are videos to help the visual learners. To help those who struggle with
reading there is added audio files to guide them through. The websites provided
allow the students to explore and look at modern examples of countries and
economic systems. The creating of the product allows the students to use their
imagination and create what they want to create with few guidelines and
restrictions. The production piece of the project utilizes Google Slides which
allows the students to collaborate seamlessly.
Daniel Warzon
Development
The idea for this project came through brain storming with a regular education
Economics teacher. WebQuests usually utilize information on the internet that is
not as accessible in other formats. Designing the WebQuest took a couple weeks
and I had to learn how to utilize some different tools. I was already familiar with
Weebly, but needed to learn about a few more tools that it had to offer. I also had
to learn how to use iMovie maker on my apple computer. This helped me
combine 2 video files, upload them to Youtube, and embed it on the WebQuest
for students to easily view. I learned how to change the size of the videos to help
fit the screen of the WebQuest. I sketched out the process on paper and then
began looking for resources to support the process. I wanted to combine
audio/video, as well as some exploring of credible resources for the students. I
have used CIA World Fact Book for past activities and liked the user friendly
layout. I supported the text resources with video resources like Crash Course
Economics. I have used crash course for other content areas and students really
enjoy the engaging videos. For the final product I wanted to have something that
the students could work on together seamlessly. By using Google Slides the
students can work on the same presentation at the same time. The project can also
be shared with me, which allows me to monitor them while they are working and
view who has made what additions or alterations to the project. I am very familiar
with the Google tools as were my students.
Placing all of the information into Weebly, creating the layout, writing the text,
creating videos, and uploading links, took about a two weeks to create and refine.
After creating it, I double checked all the links and made sure everything
transitioned smoothly.
Implementation
This WebQuest will be implemented in a Special Education resource (small
setting) class. To implement this WebQuest, teachers will need adequate
computer and internet access. The assignment will take about 4 days to complete.
The first 3 days will be for research and presentation completion. The fourth day
Daniel Warzon
will be for the presentations. If completed with a larger class, more days might
need to be added for presentation time. The students will work daily in class for 3
days, all students having access to a computer. If the students need more time than
the three days to complete the assignment they will need to work on it outside of
the classroom.
Evaluation
Student Learning
The students learning will be assessed through them created a product that
will be graded on a rubric. Being able to take the knowledge from the
research phase of the project and create something new to show their
knowledge will be a good indicator of the students learning.
Product Design
This project will not be able to be fully tested this semester. I plan to run a
usability test asking some probing questions to a target audience. I would ask
some students that are seniors, in special education, so it would reflect the
students that will be completing the WebQuest. I would ask them is the task is
made clear in the project? Are the steps easy to follow? What is the final product
that is created? Is it made clear how the project will be evaluated? Did the multi-
media elements enhance the WebQuest? What things could be added to make this
WebQuest better?
Reflection
Project Development
From creating this product I learned that it is an evolving work that does not
always end up as originally planned. My original design in the beginning was
not near as complex as my end project. The ideas are easy to create, but
implementing them into the project is much more difficult. Sketching my
ideas on paper helped line up my ideas. I enjoyed bouncing ideas off of other
teachers about ideas. I also liked using Weebly to create my WebQuest. I
would allow more time for product development if I were to do this again.
Instructional Design
The project has many elements to create student learning. Using Google
Slides for the final product works well for student collaboration and file
storage. The students can work on the same presentation at the same time on
different computers and see each others work.
Daniel Warzon
Personal Growth
From this experienced I learned that I can explore more activities for my
teaching. I refined my skills of creating websites using Weebly. I learned that
a lot of time is needed to edit and refine the website. I often found myself
getting frustrated, but tried to enjoy the creation process. I need to be more
confident in my technology abilities and push the envelope more.
For Others
I encourage other teachers to try to create their own WebQuest and explore
multi-media tools to enhance student learning. Teachers need to make sure
to have adequate access to tool and reliable internet access. Also, be flexible.
Things may not always go as planned. Be willing to adjust and refine your
project. The end goal is not for