Landmark Challenge 2007

October 16, 2007

October is flying by and we are on track for a record number of student events this month. Our newest project is Landmark Challenge based on Linda MacDonald’s work based on an adaptation of Janine Lim’s MysteryQuest format. Are you seeing how we borrow and adapt in K-12 videoconferencing?

Landmark Challenge is for second graders. We use ten U.S. landmarks and connect only three classes at a time. This helps to modify the MysteryQuest format for younger students. Linda created a note-taking guide that the students use during the conference. I model this for them on the document camera.

The project was requested by two Clifton ISD teachers during our summer 123VC session. They picked the times and dates. I modified the project materials and recruited partner teachers. Shane bridged it all together for us!

We had thirteen classes participate with over 300 students! Over half of the teachers (or someone from their district) attended the 123VC this summer also. I could tell in the clues, etiquette, and reveals that they had been involved in learning the MysteryQuest format. There were teachers participating without a building coordinator in the room…and they used PRE-SETS!

With three sites participating, we have enough time at the end for a quiz and questions. Yes, the teacher in me could not resist finding pictures of all ten landmarks and putting up pictures of the landmarks and rotating through the classes and having them identify the landmark and tell me something they know about it.

MysteryQuest format is an excellent way to engage students in creating a presentation and then keeping them engaged during the videoconference, focus on INTERACTIVE!

Tomorrow, Paula Yezak and I are presenting at the ESC XI Distance Learning Conference and will attempt the first ever “MysteryGuest Showcase” where we will connect 5 mystery guests to our conference room and participants in the session will attempt to discover their identities. I will post pictures and how it turns out.

Posted in Collaborative Projects