WebQuest Template
Forecasting the Future
A Web Quest for Mathematics Students
Designed by
Eddelyn D. Gupeteo
eddelyn_gupeteo71@yahoo.com
Introduction
Are you not wondering on how population grow? What is the rate of increase? Will mathematics help you to better understand such phenomenon? Does population increases exponentially as time passes? Exponential function in math will somehow give you an idea on this particular issue.
The Task
In this web quest you will investigate population growth on a particular area. Working in groups you will study the population growth of the different barangays in Davao City. Identify the trend in the population increase every year until 2013. Relate the population growth data with the data on different diseases encountered by barangay every year from 2003 to 2013.
Students will come up with a projective profile of the population of the different barangays by 2013. Come up with hypothetical statement relative to population growth and the health problems encountered by barangay assigned to each group. Each group will come up with a tabular presentation of data, computation of the increase of population integrating the concept of exponential function, formulate hypotheses based on the information gathered and design a power point presentation to show the result of the investigation. The whole class will then process the outputs of the different groups by comparing and contrasting the result of each group.
The Process
You will be assigned to a team of five students. Decide on what role you are going to take.
ROLES/WORK
Data/Research Analyst
Gather data about the population of a specified barangay assigned to your group. You will have to contact the local government unit which is the barangay and find out where you can get pertinent data regarding the population for five years. The data should be from 2003 – 2008. Make a tabular representation of the data gathered. In your presentation see to it that you will have a data showing the age bracket such as children, adolescence, adult. Prepare population forecast. Works closely with mathematician.
Demographer
(two students)
Responsible for gathering data in relation to size, movement of people in an area that relates to human population such as health. Record the health problems encountered by the people in barangay assigned to your group following the age bracket such as children, adolescence and adult. Make a tabular presentation of the data gathered also from 2003 – 2008.
Statistician
Will do the basic statistical analysis of the data gathered. Make a graphical representation of the data and formulate hypotheses based on the information provided by the data.
Mathematician
Will Study the trend of the population and presents a mathematical computation that will relate exponential function to population growth. Show the solution of the computation. Work closely with research analyst and demographers.
Multimedia Designer
Prepares the actual multimedia presentation integrating all the data gathered by the other members of the team. Consolidate all the works of other members of the team.
There will be an orientation about the activity inside the classroom where you will be group as a team of five with each member has a specific role to play as outline above.
Gathering Information
( Data/Research Analyst)
1. Identify person in the local government unit who is responsible in keeping the population record of a particular barangay. Be sure to get data from 2003-2008 and record it properly. Come up with a matrix form so that you will have an organize data, where you will include the break down of the population from children, adolescence and adult bracket. ( 2 days)
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/tpss99/processguides/interviewing.html
Please refer to this website to guide you on how to interview a person in-charge of the information you want to gather.
(Mathematician)
2. From the data gathered prepare a population forecast up to year 2013 applying your knowledge in exponential function. ( 2 days)
(Demographers)
3. Identify person in the Barangay health center responsible for keeping the record on health problems focusing only on five major diseases per year affecting the specified age group.
4. Prepare a matrix table to organize your data gathered capturing pertinent data for your final output. ( 2 days)
Analyzing the information gathered
(Statistician)
The gathered data will then be forwarded to the statistician for the analysis of it, make a graphical presentation, and formulate hypotheses regarding the data. Analysis will focus on the rate of increase or decrease of barangay population taking into account the age group, the different health problems encountered in relation to increase of population. ( 2 days)
Transforming Information into a product
(Mathematician)
Referring to the data gathered by research analyst and demographers, mathematicians will then compute and forecast the possible number of population in different age group, what part of the population will likely be affected by a particular health problem applying the knowledge on exponential function. ( 2 days)
(Multimedia Designer)
After the data/research analyst, demographers, statistician and mathematician have done their work its time for the multimedia designer to plan for a power point presentation. He will be responsible for capturing in the presentation the overall concept, design and layout give appropriate explanation on the result submitted by the other members through brainstorming. Tips and guide about the presentation is provided for you.
( 2 days)
Resources
For all the members of the group
Population Growth
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/dailymath/population.html
Getting the Picture: Communicating Data Visually
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/dailymath/getpicture.html
Exponential and Polynomial
http://archives.math.utk.edu/visual.calculus/0/exp_log.3/index86.html
For Mathematician
Exponential Function
http://archives.math.utk.edu/visual.calculus/0/exp_log.5/
Interesting Facts about Population Growth Mathematical Models
http://www.arcytech.org/java/population/facts_math.html
Exponential Function Graph Activity
http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspView&ResourceID=66
For Statistician
A Procedure for Analyzing Scientific Figures
http://web.visionlearning.com/custom/general/overheads/SCI2.1-oh-analyze_figures.shtml
The students’ final grade for this Webquest will be taken from the ratings using the rubric for assessing Webquest activity which is considered as 50%, 25% will be taken from the peer and self evaluation respectively.
Conclusion
Upon completion of Webquest activity students will have a realization on the importance of connecting the topic in the classroom to real life issue and how it could be of help in coming up with ways in preparing for whatever happens in the future. It will help them realize that we can make a difference if we do plan ahead of time and if we develop an ability to forecast. Forecasting as defined by Dunn (1994) is a procedure for producing factual information about future states of society on the basis of prior information about policy problems. The result of their project can be presented to barangay and can be very useful for planning alternative solutions to issues being covered in the project. Results should be given to the local government in order to address issues pertaining to growth rate of population and the possible problems or factors that may be affected because of the population growth.
Ceejae here - the project is good because students can do something for the community and through this project the students go beyond the classroom lecture about the topic. of course, accompanied with this project are the values they learn throughout the process.
ReplyDeleteComment on the links: Some links are not working..
havent read it yet huuhuhu
ReplyDeletefloriza: The webquest template is detailed and unique. Forecasting the increasing growth of population is made easier through Math.:) Overpopulation in the future is a big problem, this webquest will help students become more aware of this global crisis.
ReplyDeleteThe WebQuest is helpful to the society. The students will surely develop skills because of the different roles they have. I hope they can really appreciate this WebQuest as they perform the task and not just for the sake of performing it. Everyone can say that it's informative.
ReplyDeletethe task is realistic and will give the students an experience that they will not forget. They are now involve in their community and at the same time apply what they have learned in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteEach student has links to follow in order for them to play the role well...
The project is indeed challenging and realistic. it really let the students experience a field work activity. also, it manifests that they really apply in the real context the concepts that they learned inside the room. it only doesn't target the cognitive aspect of the students but also the affective aspect-which is also important in teaching.
ReplyDeleteMaking the connection between concepts in Mathematics and the real world is really a challenge for Math teachers. Fortunately, this WebQuest pushed through the obstacles since through this, the students are able to apply and perform what they have learned, which would really help them in appreciating the concepts. I hope to see a lot of WebQuests in English though^^, ... be following this blogspot!
ReplyDeletewhat's good about this webquest is that learners are able to apply the concepts they have learned from classroom discussion to answer societal issues. also, the activity opens oppurtunity for students to be responsible for their own learning.
ReplyDelete-bow-
pwede na pang ms. universe??
hahahha...
peace ya ol..
Erra- the webquest is very helpful for us beginners. It gives us insight of what a webquest is. basically, it is a quest for students. It is also good in terms of making students involve in the community problem. In this quest students can predict what problems may occur in the future. Thus, it will make them realize of what can be done to prevent the said problems.
ReplyDeleteThe project is really good since it is not a traditional type of assessing students' learning. The students can apply their learning and at the same time can raise their consciousness and awareness.
ReplyDeleteThe project will help the students to explore not just in the classroom but also in the community. Given the fact that this project is done by group, it will help them to cooperate and collaborate with each other.
ReplyDeleteThe project is well done. It lets the students experience the outside world thus, not limitting them to classroom environment. It not only lets the students learn math but it also integrates other areas such as social studies and science which makes the learning more meaningful for the learners.
ReplyDeletethis webquest is very tasked-based.it enables students to be active learners. it also targets the students three domains of learning... most especially the affective doamin. with this webquest i realized that mine was a mess because it is not topic specific and very complicated, thus it is not feasible. but this webquest now will be my benchmark to make a better one, thnx maam! Godbless! -yanee
ReplyDeleteThe Webquest activity teaches students the value of doing plans ahead of time.
ReplyDelete...Students will really learn faster when they learn a topic through experiencing the real world.
Beyond the webquest activity given here, this site is useful in our part since it shows detailed example of a webquest-- parts, infos, etc. wherein we can use this as a guide in making our own webquest.
nova ^_^
The project will really help students in their learning. It will not only benefit the students but also the teacher as well. It is not outdated. It follows the trend and caters the need of the community especially this 21st century.
ReplyDeleteahhh okay guess im forced to read and make an intellectual comment, gosh!!
ReplyDeletehere goes, its fun actually planning yout task i mean you would surely make your head spin, no! just kidding...hheheheh but it sure fun to play different roles aside from being a forever student..and it would surely add up to what you think you already know but actually naaa-aaa...
The web quest is very useful. Most especially to those who still doesn't have an idea how to start their own web quest. I for one made this web quest as my guide and it helped me a lot.
ReplyDeleteokay here's my comment----forced comment---jowk!!!
ReplyDelete...its fun doing it ... i guess, i mean its fun planning on what to be beside being a student you can be a researcher or anything you dream to be..but it surely entails a wide knowledge on the topic...