WebQuest Project

• The subject area and topic covered (please include grade level here)
  9th grade Biology: Unit on genetics (Meiosis)
  
• The key standards covered, including at least 1 common core and 1 technology standard

Genetics:

2. Mutation and sexual reproduction lead to genetic variation in a population. As a 

basis for understanding this concept: 

a. Students know meiosis is an early step in sexual reproduction in which the pairs 

of chromosomes separate and segregate randomly during cell division to pro­

duce gametes containing one chromosome of each type. 

b. Students know only certain cells in a multicellular organism undergo meiosis. 

c. Students know how random chromosome segregation explains the probability 

that a particular allele will be in a gamete. 

• The final product (what will the students be doing in the end)
  Student partners will be individually drawing a labeled diagram on butcher paper of the stages of meiosis including the polody (n or 2n) at each stage.  These will be posted on the walls once graded.
  Student partners will then write a half-page minimum paper about what they learned on Meiosis which they will turn in for a collaborative grade done by the teacher.  The grading will follow a rubric provided to the students within the webquest.

Scoring Powerpoints

• What are your thoughts on this article?
  I enjoyed that this article not only tells us what not to have students do but also provides examples, alternatives, and images/tables that clarify their point.  I have not asked any students to make powerpoints but I imagine that they would prefer to copy and paste paragraphs or complete sentences from their paper onto slides- which is boring to have them read to us and prevents them from really exploring the presentation aspect of a powerpoint- it's not just a reading!
• What parts do you agree with?
  I agreed that rubrics are great for students so they know the expectations (reading & writing learners).  I also agree that some examples- on another topic- are good for students to see (visual learners).
• What parts do you disagree with?
  I think many students have a hard time presenting, even when they have what they are supposed to say right in front of them and it is probably (at least for my first-time freshmen) too much to expect them to be able to extrapolate from their own bullet points what they meant to say and needed to cover on each of their slides.  They get too nervous, even with the words right in front of them.  I would have to implement some sort of gradual process towards a real presentation, where students first have to make a presentation with large font and no more than 6 sentences per slide, with 1-5 pictures within their whole presentation, then progress later in the term to having more specific instructions that have the students create a product with less support and more preparation on their part in order to accomplish an engaging and informative presentation.  My grading criteria would initially not count eye contact but later in the year include these finer skills (that many adults never master on a public scale).  But I think that this idea is a great place to strive to end up- and reminds us what skills we should be modeling in our own powerpoints.

1. Who you are at home: I have a husky mix dog and live with my mother while my husband is off working Army contracts (yay!).  I just completed my student teaching and am now looking for a job... and I am tutoring to keep me sane!
2. Who you are at school:  I have been described as a quiet person until you get me in the classroom; I love talking about science and technology- specifically Biology and genetics!  I am passionate about my subject and really enjoy it when my students are too- which is my goal!  I also am very interested in the busy lives my students lead- they are fascinating!
3. Who you are when you are out and about: I am about being outside and sharing my life with friends and family.  From skiing to spelunking to shopping to swing dancing to walking the dog, I am at my best when with a small group of close friends or family.
4. Tell me something unique that happened to you or that you do: My parents are both Navy doctors and my mom was deployed to Iraq 10 years ago while I was in high school. My husband is in the Army National Guard and is a bomb disposal technician.  I have my motorcycle's license and I went to Cal Poly SLO for my undergraduate degree in Biology- and found my husband.  Go mustangs!
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