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| Name: Nate L'Armand | Date: July 2, 2001 |
| Web Quest Evaluated: Bottle Rocket Challenge ( http://geocities.com/ramseytch/webquest.html ) | |
| Score | Explanation | |
| Overall Aesthetics (This refers to the Web Quest page itself, not the external resources linked to it.) | ||
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Overall visual appeal (0-2)
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2 | The site is well organized and visually interesting. In addition, the different roles of group members have been given different background graphics; making it easy to identify, from a distance, what role each group member is playing. |
| Introduction | ||
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Motivational effectiveness of Introduction (0-2)
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2 | NASA still captivates the imagination of many students. Submitting a rocket design to NASA for a contest is a good 'hook' to grab the attention of the student. Students are also interested in controlling forceful or spectacular events. |
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Cognitive effectiveness of the Introduction
(0-2) |
2 | Competition between lab groups, or between different sections of the same class, emotionally engages students and therefore, is one of the most effective cognitive tools available in teaching. |
| Task (The task is the end result of student efforts... not the steps involved in getting there.) | ||
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Cognitive level of the task (0-6)
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6 | The task is based on the three roles played by the group members: the historian, the research and design scientist, and the technician/mathematician. Not only do they perform research and complete 'eworksheets' but they must synthesize their ideas into a working water rocket. The performance of the rocket is quantified, allowing objective judgment of each design. |
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Technical sophistication of task (0-2)
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2 | Assembly of the rockets looks complicated, perhaps taking 15-20 hours. All directions and diagrams are on-line, with material lists and assembly instructions provided. Because students are modifying a pressure vessel, there is a moderate potential for injury. |
| Process (The process is the step-by-step description of how students will accomplish the task.) | ||
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Clarity of Process (0-2)
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2 | The structure for submission of assignments and performance criteria for the rocket are clear. The links to rocket construction instructions are explicit and thorough. |
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Richness of process (0-6)
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6 | Although each group member has a personal task, they must combine their shared knowledge into the design and construction of a rocket. In addition to the obvious application of mathematical and scientific concepts, the science of rocketry has had a tremendous effect on modern global politics. All of these areas having reading and writing objectives. Most important to the scientific goals, the students must build a rocket that works and evaluate its performance using variables they measure. |
| Resources (Note: you should evaluate all resources linked to the page, even if they are in sections other than the Resources block. Also note that books, video and other off-line resources can and should be used where appropriate.) | ||
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Quantity of resources (0-2)
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2 | The quantity of resources is outstanding. There are hours of reading for each member of the group. |
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Quality of resources (0-4)
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4 | Like many hobbies, specialists in model rockets take their fun very seriously and devote many hours to their hobby. The designers of the Web quest have taken advantage of the hobbyists' devotion. The resources provided are visually and conceptually rich. The links provide outstanding background knowledge and assembly instructions, as well as mathematical development of the causes and description of the rocket's motion. |
| Evaluation | ||
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Clarity of Evaluation Criteria (0-2)
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2 | The criteria used for evaluation are crystal clear. A rubric is provided which specifies different levels of success in each category: 1) creativity of design 2) rocket performance 3) pre-flight presentation 4) cooperation and 5) work ethic. |
| Total Score
(0-30) |
30 | This Web quest is outstanding. The materials for assembly are cheap. The richness and depth of the project is impressive. Many cross curricular standards are addressed. Launching projectiles is an excellent way to engage students. I must try it in my classroom. |