Module Eight: 21st Century Assessment

Workforce Development: Every Teacher's Responsibility
Developing a workforce for the 21st Century is truly a challenge--what a pleasure having taken this class at this point in my career to learn better ways to connect with students--to develop their skills for the 21st Century. As I worked through the modules for 21st Century I enjoyed learning about Web 2.0 tools, blogging, del.icio.us and tagging. I develop a lot of projects so I enjoyed learning about the Big6 problem solving model and am so impressed with the resources and information that were included in each module. I did my best to do most of the reading and enjoyed the variety of educational materials whether movies, charts, or PowerPoints.

I would like to try blogging in my classes and will need to work with our technology person to see what I may or may not be able to do. I think that students need to be able to present a viewpoint and support that view with detailed information. Blogging is one way to build that skill. Other activities that I am trying to incorporate and practice are using "discrepent events" to encourage thought and using different questioning techniques. I even posted the words Who, Why, What, How, and To What Extent in the front of the classroom so that I have constant reminders to start my questions with these words to encourage higher level thinking and discussion.

I enjoyed reviewing essential questions, developing a project, and designing a rubric. I try to use projects as much as possible in the information and technology area to encourage students to relate their learning to life experiences. I had previously taken a class through our local Wisconsin CESA and learned to use project-based learning as a way to motivate students. I thought the module on developing essential questions was more specific than my previous training, and I enjoyed building upon what I already know about PBL.

If I had the opportunity to do this course again, I would like to spend more time reading information at different websites visited. I came across so many interesting links to websites that I would like to revisit and I was able to make good use of del.icio.us. I am absolutely thrilled to have learned about this Web 2.0 tool.

I would definitely recommend this course to all teachers who want to find a way to connect with learners in the 21st Century.

Computer 7 QuickQuest

WaterQuest
Computer 7 QuickQuest
Mrs. Bonnie Lang
School District of Gilman
Gilman, Wisconsin


Scenario

You are done playing dodge ball at noon hour in the gym and you are hot and sweaty! You go to get a drink of water to quench your thirst. As you lean over the drinking fountain, you look at the water coming out, you’re thirsty, you can’t wait, but—is it safe to drink?

Did you ever wonder how safe the school’s water supply is to drink? Is the water warm? Does it smell? Is it discolored? Did it taste good or bad? If you ever experienced any of these conditions, did you ever wonder why?

In this WaterQuest, you will work with a partner to find out if the school’s water is safe to drink. The water is supplied by the Village of Gilman and is monitored by the Gilman Waterworks Department.



Task

Define:
Potable water
Safe Water Drinking Act of 1996
EPA

Use the websites listed below each question to help find information about each.

1 What chemicals and minerals or contaminants are commonly found in water?

2 What are acceptable limits of contaminants?
2006 Annual Drinking Water Reporthttp://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/dwg/report.pdf
Groundwater & Drinking Water Quality Health Standards/Advisories http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/dwg/health/haltable.htm
3. How are levels of contaminants monitored by the state? In your town?
Groundwater & Drinking Water Quality Health Standards/Advisories http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/dwg/health/haltable.htm


4. View the Consumer Confidence report using the criteria: Gilman, Taylor County
Consumer Confidence Reporthttp://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/dwg/data.htm

5. What does the report indicate about the Gilman Waterworks?

6. Are any measures taken in your school building to guarantee drinkable water?

Read the School District of Gilman’s Compliance Report

7. What recommendation would you make to principal about the school’s drinking water?


Product

Write a letter to the school’s principal explaining your investigation, process, findings, and recommendation. Follow the format guide for letters and address the letter to:

Miss Dawn Randall, Principal
School District of Gilman
325 North Fifth Avenue
Gilman, WI 54433

Your letter will be evaluated using the WaterQuest Rubric.

Module Seven: Creativity and Innovation in a Flat World

Developing the WaterQuest QuickQuest was an interesting process. To begin, I researched other quickquests and webquests online and in the readings to decide how to proceed. Being familiar with technology, I wanted to do a full WebQuest by creating web pages, links, and so on with all kinds of background information, resources, and other links. I decided the project was more than a QuickQuest and had to rethink how to break down a large project concept into several smaller projects. The QuickQuest I created focuses on beginning concepts of problem analysis to include necessary definitions and initial information gathering activities. The ultimate goal is for students to have an understanding of the "concern" and to develop a conclusion on the safety of their drinking water in the school building.

This WaterQuest in Computer 7 will be implemented to reinforce research and information gathering techniques as well as to reinforce letter composition and creation. Students will be expected to document their progress, to draw a conclusion, and to communicate the process to others.