Final project edlt 528

1. Final project edlt 528 Justin Gigler and Chris Kientz

2. Design (Goal) • Our goal is to utilize Google Earth and a WebQuest in order for students to explore geographical, physical and historical characteristics of the province of British Columbia and New Mexico with an emphasis on tribal lands, places of interest and historical contributions. • Within the WebQuest will be links to Raven Tales clips which illustrate Native American stories.

3. Design (Rationale) • “Standard Social Studies textbooks overwhelming treat American Indians as people who used to live in North America, if they address them at all.  All students, especially those who interact with American Indian Children, need to learn about tribal histories and current tribal governments as part of the Social Studies curriculum.” NCLB

4. Design (Target Audience) • The target audience for this project is children 8-12 in Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS). Hispanic students – primarily of Mexican origin, comprise 35% of the LCPS population. Many of these families are new to the United States and are not familiar with the contributions of American Indians to North American society. In addition, over 10% of LCPS students are American Indian.

5. Design (Prerequisite Skills) • Prerequisite skills for the student include basic web navigation skills and basic multimedia and text literacy. • Another prerequisite skill would be basic proficiency in the English language

6. Design (Technology Resources) • Google Earth • Raven Tales • The American Indian Education KnowledgeBase: Teaching about Native Americans without Bias • Webquest

7. Google Earth

8. Raven Tales

9. The American Indian Education Knowledge Base

10. Assessment Procedure

11. Development • Raven Tales • One episode of Raven Tales can be found on YouTube in three parts. It is the tale of the Bald Eagle. • Google Earth Tutorial • A simple tutorial on how to use Google Earth and how to access photos, places of interests, and Wikipedia links. • WebQuest • The design of the WebQuest is to include both Native American tribes of NM and the Pacific Northwest designed to explore cultural differences and similarities.

12. Implementation • Implemented by a colleague of mine @ Alamogordo High School • Students explored the WebQuest in Day 1 on a 50 minute schedule including watching of the video and other media provided by the links. • Students then created a PowerPoint presentation in Day 2 • Students then presented on a voluntary basis on Day 3 for extra credit

13. Evaluation • Using the provided rubric, students were scored and comments made for each presentation.

14. Reflections • Developing a WebQuest without stereotypes is quite challenging • For too long have Native Americans been judged from a Caucasian American point of view which is evidenced in many text books • Students commented on not ever exploring Native American culture through first hand sources like Raven Tales • It is important that critical thinking occurs that allows students to really open their eyes and truly understand what Native American Tribes have lost and gained with Western Expansion • Encourage students to explore other WebQuests on Native Americans and other ethnicities and their impact on American Society