Introduction

In this WebQuest students will be exposed to the one of the most controversial debates that exists in communities and classrooms today. Through the course of this WebQuest students will review the main parts of the Theory of Evolution, and begin to explore this debate from a critical and analytical standpoint. The students will research based on assigned viewpoints that oppose one another. This will help to build critical thinking skills and expose students to how consensuses are built between people with differing opinions. This quest also stresses collaboration, professionalism, and tact. It also exposes students to the issues that face their parents and teachers in deciding how public education can best serve it's supporting communities.

Task

This WebQuest is designed to be used in a high school setting within an introductory biology class, evolution course, or genetics course. It is designed to be completed after a basic unit , or higher level unit, on evolution. It is meant to be a conclusion activity to expand on concepts raised through natural curiosities and conflicts between what is taught in science classrooms and what is taught at home.

The teacher is to serve as a facilitator in this WebQuest as the activities are self-paced. The teacher needs to take into account potential problems during discussion and consensus building portions of this assignment. Care and thought should be given when assigning members. Each group should have at least one strong person that can serve as a leader and motivator for the group. This will help the teacher better facilitate learning throughout the classroom.

Process

This WebQuest is designed to take place over the course of one (or two) weeks, with some time outside of class being used. The allotted time is based on a traditional schedule using fifty-minute periods.

The students are assigned to groups of three. Each member of the group is assigned a different viewpoint to represent in the consensus building phase of the WebQuest. The WebQuest consists of activities that are separated out and designed to review the Theory of Evolution taught during class, research their assigned viewpoints using given resources, and use information from opposing viewpoints to build a consensus.

In order to teach this lesson, a teacher must be familiar with the following:

Using the Internet to research topics
Microsoft PowerPoint, Front Page, and Publisher
Basic Evolutionary Concepts and Ideas

Students will be exercising the following skills throughout this WebQuest:

Problem Solving

Designed and created a product, service, or system to meet an identified need.
Designed and tested idea to improve the effectiveness of a system in operation.

Communication Tools and Techniques

Made oral presentation of project plans or findings to an audience.
Developed a multimedia presentation, combining text, images, and sound.

Information Tools and Techniques

Gathered information to assist in completing project work.
Used information technology to gather, analyze, organize, and present information.
Created, edited, and analyzed a database and/or spreadsheet.
Used word processing softwate to produce a multi-page document.

Learning and Self-Management Tools and Techniques

Learned from models.
Developed and maintained a schedule of work activities.
Set goals for learning and reviewed progress.

Tools and Techniques for Working With Others

Participated in the establishment and operation of self-directed work teams.
Completed a task commissioned from a client.

Evaluation

Student progress is closely monitored through the grading of each activity. Each activity will be evaluated for the following:

Thorough research
Completeness
Organization of data

A rubric will be used to evaluate the entire WebQuest.

The students will provide feedback regarding the lesson in the Personal Evaluation. The Group Evaluation will allow students to asses each other's participation throughout the WebQuest.

Credits

This WebQuest was based on a template found at The WebQuest Page.

This WebQuest was completed as part of EDCI 591W, offered at Crawfordsville High School through Purdue University's School of Education.

Page created by: Justin Dammeier. Last Updated: February 27, 2002