Seminar Description

Using MiniQuests: Developing Mini-Investigative Curriculum

MiniQuests are online curriculum modules that engage students in learning about an authentic topic or problem. This course provides participants with a framework for designing 1-2 day online lessons, called MiniQuests, that engage students in an active learning environment. Most schools are currently rushing to connect to the Internet and the World Wide Web. With promises of rich information resources readily available, how do science teachers insure that an Internet experience will be a valuable learning experience for students? This course empowers teachers with the skills and strategies necessary to build MiniQuests that engage students in Web-based learning. MiniQuests can be used at any point in the instructional process: as an initial activity to introduce a curriculum unit, as a point of instruction within a curriculum unit, or as a culminating activity at the end of a curriculum unit. Depending on the length of the seminar, participants will be required to complete between one and three MiniQuests during the seminar. Each participant will receive a MiniQuest toolkit that contains strategies, techniques and forms that promote the successful integration of MiniQuests into a particular curriculum.

Seminar Objectives:

As a result of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Describe and use a structured model for the construction of MiniQuests
• Demonstrate and use advanced Internet search skills to locate appropriate Web sites for use in each MiniQuest.
• Demonstrate and use advanced web page construction techniques to build MiniQuests that incorporate tables, frames, animated gif's, and other graphics designed by the participant
• Demonstrate and use advanced Internet search strategies
• Correlate the Illinois State Science Standards to the development of their MiniQuests.

Workshop Configurations:

This presentation is offered in 3.5 hour, 1 day, 2 day, and 4 day formats. The 3.5 hour presentation format is demonstration only. The 1 day, 2 day,and 4 day formats feature participant online time. The workshop can also be offered over 5 days to provide additional development time.

Availability and Cost:

Availability of presentation times and cost are available by request. Please call 1-888-BIOPOINT tollfree (voice mail only) or email David Jakes at dave@jakesonline.org