WebQuest

Web Quest is one of the more recent activities that are used in educational work, which employs approved activities on the Internet in the classroom and it is a type of an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet.

 I t is educational model of tight organization of information makes it easier for the learner to explore and conclusion using the computer knowledge and sources of knowledge available on the Internet, and facilitate the assessment of learner performance and measure the evolution of higher cognitive skills according to Bloom's Taxonomy of the mental processes such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

In the recent period has been starting the project of King Hamad for Future School that has been distributed huge quantities of computers for public schools in Bahrain so it can be activated strategy of Web Quest much easier than in the past where previously public schools have only one computer lab but now most schools have three computer labs so the teacher can implement Web Quest more than before. So I will try to help my students develop important research skills by carefully structuring class webquests .

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/why_webquest.htm

Mind Map

I'm often hard-pressed for time in the classroom. I have to finish the syllabus on time. However, it would be very useful if I could have a reflective gauge of the students understanding of the lessons without spend the time in quizzes so that appropriate steps could be taken is using (Concept Maps)

A concept map is a picture of our understanding of something. It is a diagram illustrating how sets of concepts are related. Concept maps are made up of webs of terms (nodes) related by verbs (links) to other terms (nodes). The purpose of a concept map is to represent (on a single visual plane) a person’s mental model of a concept.(1)

Concept maps are helpful as a tool to gauge students understanding because they make the knowledge construction process visible (Ligorio, 2002). Hence, students can focus on the task better as there is a common visible object to talk about with their classmates (Hmelo-Silver, 2003). In addition, Cuevas, Fiore and Oser (2002) mentioned that making students reasoning visible helps them to see the relationship between the concepts in the material and identify any misconceptions or lapse in the relationship between the concepts. They added that concept maps provide an alternative modality to low verbal ability learners. Diagrams repeat the information presented in the text so students get to know the subject they are learning twice, in two different forms text and graphic.

Also, mind maps are useful for summarizing information, consolidating information from different research sources, thinking through complex problems and presenting information in a format that shows the overall structure of your subject.

I have heard previously about the concept map, but I did not know the importance and effectiveness of it to students, but after I knew that through the course TCDEIT 514 I have decided to use it with my students to gauge my students understanding

http://www.dubberly.com/concept-maps

http://www.udel.edu/chem/white/teaching/ConceptMap.html

http://ecole1908.ahlamontada.com/montada-f12/topic-t6737.htm

Inquiry-based learning

 

We learn best when we are at the center of our own learning. Inquiry-based learning is a learning process through questions generated from the interests, curiosities, and perspectives/experiences of the learner. When investigations grow from our own questions, curiosities, and experiences, learning is an organic and motivating process that is intrinsically enjoyable.(1)

and I found that the traditional approach to learning different in many aspects to inquiry- based learning which are in this table

Inquiry-based learning	Traditional approach to learning
Teacher Role: As coach and facilitator	Teacher Role: As dispenser of knowledge
* Transmits information	* Communicates with groups
* Communicates with individuals	* Helps students process information
* Directs student actions	* Directs student actions
* Explains conceptual relationships	* Facilitates student thinking
* Teacher's knowledge is static	* Models the learning process
* Directed use of textbook, etc.	* Flexible use of materials
Student Role: As passive receiver	Student Role: As self-directed learner
* Records teacher's information	* Processes information
* Memorizes information	* Interprets, explains, hypothesizes
* Follows teacher directions	* Designs own activities
* Defers to teacher as authority	* Shares authority for answers
* Transmits information	* Communicates with groups

This approach was not previously used here in the Bahrain schools because during the years of my studies I didn't know this approach and it was not used by our teachers but recently, it has been used  in Bahrain schools and I have decided to use it with my students because it is very useful for them.

http://www.inquirylearn.com/Inquirydef.htm

Student centred learning

Student centred learning mean  that , "gives students greater autonomy and control 

over choice of subject matter, learning methods and pace of study"(Gibbs, 1992) (p. 23). An important implication of this definition is the need for students to assume a high level of responsibility in the learning situation and be actively choosing their goals and managing their learning. They can no longer rely on the lecturer to tell them what, how, where and when to think. They must start to do this.

Student-centered learning is effective because Students are excited when they discover something for themselves. This excitement generally translates into better engagement, longer retention of knowledge and greater motivation to learn. Also, students gain confidence in themselves as they take on new responsibilities and become competent problem-solvers and students have higher achievement when they have confidence in themselves and when they attribute success to their own abilities and not to luck or help.

I think it's a good way of learning students but not for all stages, it are suited more to adults not children because children need to learn more new things by the teacher and they do not have the ability to learn self-unlike adults are characterized by the ability to research, exploration and decided self without the help from the teacher. Also, this way of learning several obstacles, including the difficult discipline of the class, there is chaos among the students and the teacher loses control of them and the hardest part for a teacher is often letting go. Creating an atmosphere where purposeful and meaningful learning can take place depends on finding a comfortable balance between maintaining authority and relinquishing control, encouraging active and consistent participation.

In my experience this method helped me a lot to manage the disciplinary problems in my class on the first day of school since I left to my students the responsibility of selecting the appropriate punishment for disciplinary problems so they all debated and decided in the end, without interference from me, I'm just directing them and there was a wonderful reaction from the students. Also I used this method with my students through the projects I gave my students the freedom to choose and determine the subject matter, how they work and choose the members of the group. Then they research and work the application alone and there was interaction between students and they are more active than during the traditional lesson which is teacher centred learning.  And during my reading  I learn a new knowledge which I can use this method in assessment that I  have not used it with my students before, but after what I've read I will try to give my students some autonomy and decision –making in assessment.

In the end I want to say that this way of learning is somewhat new for us teachers here in Bahrain, but it is very useful, so it is our responsibility to activate this method of learning in our schools, especially our students of BTC and we must try to published this method among teachers to be used and to get in the end, students effective and have the passion and desire to learn