Submitted Fall, 2005
Methodology:
Each student completing the WebQuest during the fall of 2004 was evaluated by the WebQuest Rubric in December, 2004. Program Objective #1 was being evaluated:
- Students will demonstrate the ability to design cognitively complex learning experiences for gifted learners based on their cognitive and affective characteristics. (Departmental Objectives 2, 3)
Students were required to develop an original thematic, interdisciplinary unit that includes the following content areas in some form: the arts, language arts, math, science, social studies. Required components are in a WebQuest on-line at http://cgi.unk.edu/lewisjd/SPED800/MyWebQuest/index.htm. This was a class syllabus requirement for all graduate students in the endorsement class TESE 822P The Psychology and Education of the Gifted Learner.
Results:
| Descriptor |
Unacceptable |
Acceptable |
Commendable |
| The student will demonstrate ability to develop challenging and open-ended instruction |
1
(3 incomplete) |
19 |
12 |
Conclusions:
- Even though this task required students to attempt several new skills (e.g., unit was thematic, interdisciplinary, and developed for deliver using the Web) and was taught in a fully web-based class, the large majority of students completed it at an acceptable level and approximately one third of all participants accomplished the task at the commendable level.
- One student made only a minimal attempt to complete the assignment despite repeated help from the instructor, which was reflected in an unacceptable level of performance.
- The three assignments that were not completed are difficult to avoid. Students frequently have unexpected challenges in their lives resulting in an incomplete in the class.
Use of Results:
- These results reflected a change in the interpretation of the “thematic” requirement to include any theme and not only a conceptual theme. The rationale was that the use of a conceptual theme as an organizer of instruction is reinforced in the curriculum project developed by the endorsement and Master’s students. The class in which this project is taught is also taken for professional development. The task is difficult enough without adding the requirement of a conceptual theme instead of a topical theme.
- Because some students experience unexpected challenges in their lives, the instructor should continue to allow incomplete assignments to be finished over the next year, the time frame permitted by the Registrar for clearing incomplete grades.
- Special focus will be placed on clarifying directions so that more students have the opportunity to achieve at the Commendable level. Video components will be added to this text-based web class to enhance the learning.