Project+Understanding

** Our wiki webquest is aimed at year three for term 3 or 4. In groups of two they will investigate one Australian animal of their choice. Throughout the webquest they will be involved in a mission to raise awareness of Australian animals, their habitats, the impact of humans upon their habitats and providing solutions to protecting the habitats. We hope the webquest is presented to the students in a motivating and engaging manner which captures their interest and makes them stop to consider how they value our amazing Aussie animals. **
 * Australian Animals **
 * __ Amy Dowson and Laura Oorschot __**

** As they follow the steps in the Animal Investigation page they will become experts in their own Aussie Animal Action Team. They will investigate classification, how they move, what they eat, appearance, habitat, human impact upon their habitat and solutions to the negative impact. With the information gained they must decide on a way to present their findings. The students are given a choice of formats to present their final product and they will need to offer some ideas of how Australians can help their animal.**


 * The tools we chose to use are Learning Federation Objects which are bright, interesting interactive clips which give examples of what the students are asked to research. These clips ask them thought provoking questions to help with research ideas. We also chose webspiration for brainstorming and ordering of their information about their chosen animal and also Comic Life for the students to summarise their findings on human impact in a fun, expressive format. **


 * We feel the process of learning for students engaged in the webquest reflects a constructivist theory. The webquest is a journey of discovery for students to engage in, where at each consecutive step of the way, the students are building upon their knowledge from the previous lesson. They are encouraged to question, discuss, cooperate and share in their learning with a partner, groups and the whole class. By researching, brainstormings, questioning and verbally explaining their findings the students are able to be very active in their own learning. This learning is to culminate in a presentation of the students choosing, where they must deliver, with impact, the important messages about their animal’s uniqueness and reasons why and how to protect their habitats. After completing their 'mission', the students are encouraged to reflect upon the significance of their learning, make value judgements about our native animals and their habitats and think of ways they may be able to extend their message to a wider audience. **