This document outlines a WebQuest for 11th grade algebra students that introduces different forms of digital communication and tasks students with writing a letter to the school superintendent proposing ways to implement digital communication in the classroom. Students are directed to research five examples of digital communication, describe each one and its benefits, and write a formal letter to the superintendent using their research. Evaluation criteria and additional discussion questions are also provided.

1. A WebQuest for 11th Grade Algebra II
Title
Introduction Designed by
Task Jessica Goodrich
Process jlg82@zips.uakron.edu
Evaluation
Conclusion
Teacher Page
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2. Title Digital communication is an important part of our everyday
Introduction
lives, but it is often ignored in our schools. Today, there are
many different ways to communicate with one another
Task
using some form of technology, and most would be of great
Process benefit in the classroom. What are some of the forms of
Evaluation digital communication? How could they positively impact
Conclusion
your school?
Teacher Page
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3. Title Because you feel so strongly about the use of digital
Introduction
communication in your school, you will write a letter to
your school superintendent informing him about this
Task
important issue.
Process
Evaluation You will search the internet to find five examples of
Conclusion
common forms of digital communication that could be
implemented in your school. You will then describe each
form and its benefits in your letter to the superintendent.
Teacher Page
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4. Title 1. Go to the Digital Citizenship website and read over
Introduction
their Nine Elements page to determine exactly what
digital communication is and to get an idea of what
Task
forms you would like to talk about in your letter.
Process 2. Think of the five examples of digital communication
Evaluation that you would like to write about. Use a search engine
Conclusion
like Google or Yahoo to research each example.
3. Use an outline to organize the information that you
find. Then come up with at least one way that each
form of digital communication will be beneficial to your
school. Add these reasons to your outline as well.
4. Write a letter to the superintendent about the
importance of digital communication using your outline
as a guide. You can find directions for how to write
formal letters on the Purdue OWL site.
5. Give your letter to your teacher to be proofread before
it is sent.
Teacher Page
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5. Title
Unacceptable Acceptable Accomplished Score
Introduction 0 1 2
Selection of Two or fewer Three or four Five or more examples
Task Examples examples of digital examples listed. listed.
forms of
Process communication listed.
Evaluation Descriptions Two or fewer Three or four Five or more complete
of Examples descriptions. Any descriptions that are descriptions provided.
Conclusion descriptions provided mostly complete. (at least one per
are inaccurate or example)
incomplete.
Reasons for Two or fewer reasons Three or four reasons Five or more reasons
Examples given with little to no provided with mostly provided with
support. adequate support. excellent support. (at
least one per example)
Letter Letter format is Format mostly follows Format follows formal
Format incorrect and does not formal letter letter guidelines with
follow formal letter guidelines with no no errors.
guidelines. major errors.
Writing Letter contains many Letter contains few Letter contains no
Mechanics grammatical errors. grammatical errors grammatical errors.
with no major
mistakes.
Teacher Page
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6. Title Your teacher will send your completed and approved
Introduction
letters to your superintendent. Here are some questions to
consider while waiting for a response.
Task
Process •You’ve considered some of the benefits of using
Evaluation digital forms of communication in the classroom.
Conclusion
What are some of the possible drawbacks?
•Implementing your ideas will most likely require a
large amount of time and money. What are some
ways to minimize the cost of your ideas?
•How will you convince other students, teachers, and
community members to agree with your plan?
Teacher Page
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7. Title Title Slide Picture: http://bcm.bc.edu/wp-
Introduction
content/images/spring_2009/talking-rights1.jpg
Task
Suggested Search Engines: Google and Yahoo
Process
Evaluation References Suggested: Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship
Conclusion
and Purdue OWL Business Letter Format
WebQuest Template: The WebQuest Page and The
WebQuest Slideshare Group
Teacher Page
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8. Title Alternative Lesson Ideas
Introduction
•This WebQuest could be done in small groups with
each group member researching a particular form of
Task digital communication. The group members could
Process then work together to write a letter instead of writing
Evaluation individual ones.
Conclusion
Possible Research Topics
•The students could pick from several forms of digital
communication including
•Cell phones
•Email
•Instant Messaging (IM)
•Social Network Sites (Facebook, Google+, etc.)
•Group Collaboration Sites (Google Docs.,
Dropbox, Wikispaces, etc.)
Teacher Page
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