Notes for Teachers

This WebQuest is an exercise in creative problem solving developed independently.

Creative thinking is critical thinking. It is problem solving thinking. You can begin a project with "Necessity is the mother of invention." Do some brainstorming on products, goods and services that are needed, then set the students about to use their creativity to invent something (or some service) to meet a real need. Ask your students to create a vision of what life would be like if the needs were met. Help them to set a goal, and design research projects to learn what it takes to meet the need.
 

Learners

The project is designed for Secondary Life Skills and Life-long learners of all ages.  Adults can use it to help improve their own life circumstances, to solve real life problems in their immediate community.  Students will learn the value of community involvement as they set about finding and filling needs in their community.

To complete this project, learners will need to have a familiarity with the Internet and how to navigate through a website to locate information.

Curriculum Standards

National Education Technology Standards for Students

California Language Arts Standards

1.6 - Develop presentations by using clear research questions and creative and critical research strategies.

1.7 -  Use systematic strategies to organize and record information

1.7d. - Include information from all relevant perspectives and take into consideration the validity and reliability of sources.

California Life Skills Standard:

14. Apply principles of effective communication, using  written, keyboarding, and telephone skills, for various purposes and audiences, (e.g., interviews, presentations, advertisements, letters, resumes). (Communications Skills)

LAUSD Benchmark Standard #8: 

Locate, evaluate and synthesize information for a specific purpose using a variety of sources including interviews, the Library-Multimedia Center,  and a range of current technologies.

Learners will be able to

  • formulate questions and design their own research project
  • augment their knowledge by utilizing the Internet as a tool for research
  • produce a proposal that can be used to meet a community need

Resources Needed

To implement this lesson, one needs

  • Computers with Internet access
  • E-mail accounts for all students
  • a mind-mapping software program is helpful but not necessary
  • Engaged and open minds.

Web-based resources are embedded it the process.  Most of the resources are specific to California.  If you live outside of California the Community Tool Box is a good starting point to seek out funding sources.

You may also want to review Creative Problem Solving with your students before commencing this project.