Dodge

=Bernie Dodge =


 * professor of Educational Technology @ San Diego State University
 * professional focus: design, implement and evaluate computer-based learning environments
 * created the Webquest model in February 1995
 * website is [|Webquest.org]
 * this website mentions three other "Voices" from our assignment as "Minds We Like"

His ideas:

In an interview with Education World, Dodge elaborates on his creation of Webquest: It is an inquiry-oriented lesson where most of the information is obtained from the web; the focus must encourage higher level thinking (analysis, synthesis, evaluation) in students. He got the idea from an activity he did with one of his own college classes. From this he created a template: //i////ntroduce the situation, list some information resources, give them a task that required grappling with the information, lay out the steps on what to do with the information, and then bring it to a conclusion.// He believes there are numerous meaningful activities that can be done using the Web. They got to beyond regurgitating information or answering low level questions though. He sees a future of education where students are using handheld, wireless devices in class, textbooks are digital, are teachers are facilitators and monitors in a classroom rather than the sole source of information for students.


 * My Take (jmb):** Initially, I was surprised that Dodge started an organization called San Diego Computer-Using Educators in //1982!// Apparently, I am not the only one, in that Education World asked him a question along a similar line of thinking. It is amazing to think that we have had the technology and the ideas for digital education for thirty years yet still so many schools seem behind the times in implementation. I have read elsewhere explaining why, which I won't delve into here, but how unfortunate for our students, especially, now that they are so immersed in the digital world. It also makes me wonder about how a vast number of students do not have access to technology primarily due to socio-economic status. How do we provide all the students with equal access.

I agree Dodge's ideas on where education is going and the need for encouraging higher level thinking. I also look forward to using and creating webquests for my students. [jmbooth]