Web-Based Research Models

My exploration of web-based research models has proved to make a interesting night of web-browsing. I thought that the GraveNet pages were enlightening. These models allow students to access information much more easily and quickly than ever before, which in a time-restricted classroom setting would be a very good thing. Also, they allow students to peruse (at their own pace) newer information. This advantage fulfills the UDL principles of multiple ways and flexible ways to appeal to various learning styles. Easy access to this information is easy if the school/homes of students do in fact have access to the internet; however, web research becomes significantly more difficult if this access is not had. Another disadvantage of web research is the higher possibility that students will not effectively use this time to research and rather might spend time on websites that are off-topic. The web model has to be in the zone of proximal development for students; in other words, it is necessary that the information challenge the students but not be too challenging for them to respond to it. As Kajder points out in her text, web research in the classroom also establishes more work for teachers during class as he/she must help each group. Teachers must work in advance to develop specific sites for students to visit and constantly monitor the computers to ensure students are visting them and only them. I think that the most effective purpose of web research combines exploring a topic/ answering a question with giving multiple perspective. For high schoolers, I think it would be effective to combine these two concepts into one model. I liked the Banned Books and Nelson Mandela sites. I really liked the WebQuest format and especially the one on F. Scott Fitzgerald & 1920s. I thought it incorporated UDL principles well - including reading a classic paying particular attention to part of The Great Gatsby, using the internet for information, participating in a collaborative effort, and appealing to different interests including entertainment, important people, and clothes of the 1920s.