512 Statistics WebQuest Annotation

Context

This project was developed as a partial requirement for MIT 512: Computer Applications in Education in the fall semester of 2003 under the direction of Dr. Sue Jen Chen. The project included development of a Webquest for an Advanced Placed Statistics course. As part of the project design, I analyzed learners, learning environment, and content to develop a unit plan in which inquiry and research were the core instructional strategies. I then developed the unit as a Webquest where teachers and students could discover how to complete a one sample hypothesis test. The Webquest was designed using Jonassen's Constructivist Learning Environments theory. There were three parts to this project. The first part was the development of the lesson plan which consisted of a description of the unit, unit objectives, description of lessons, lesson objectives, materials needed, resources, and procedures. The second part was the development of the Webquest which incorporated all of the details of the lesson plan. The final part was the development of a web evaluation instrument that was used to gather evaluation information about the content of the Webquest, its screen design, and its navigation system.

Condtions

I developed the unit plan and Webquest individually. Graphics were adapted and modified from several internet sources. There was no budget for this project, but there was a timeline in order to implement the Webquest when the students reached this topic in the curriculum.

Scope

The Webquest was implemented for the course that I was teaching at the time. Since then, the school has decided to no longer offer the AP statistics course. Therefore, it has not been used or modified since implementation. The implementation results indicated that instruction was successful except for some confusion about resources and directions.

Role

I assumed the role of instructional designer for this project. I completed the learner analysis, context analysis, and content analysis in order to devise the lesson plan. I also assumed the role of instructional developer in which I completed the development of the instructional unit in Microsoft Frontpage.

Reflection

I learned how to integrate technology into learning environments. I think the lesson plan was intended to promote inquiry and research, but I learned through implementation that some of the resources were confusing to students because they covered more than what was in the lesson. If I had the opportunity to revise the Webquest, I would research further in order to provide more appropriate resources.

I think my technological skills had improved when I was developing this project. However, there were still areas that I could have improved particularly regarding the interface design and the layout of the webpage. If I had the opportunity to develop this Webquest again, I would improve upon the screen design.