Stephen's+Hurdle+Task

__**Stephen's Hurdle Task**__ //Critical Thinking and Problem Solving:// A webquest would be a good activity for this skill. Considering the theme of Natural Disasters, a problem could be posed of a tsunami about to hit a community. The students then have to research, using internet sites such as the Bureau of Meteorology and Wikipedia, things that have been done to minimise damage caused by tsunamis. They therefore need to find out information about warning systems, evacuation plans, tsunami monitoring and emergency service safeguarding, for example. Students then come together to talk about what they found and what they think should be done to minimise damage if a tsunami is threatening a community. //Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence:// Each student could create a Wallwisher account. As they research their particular topic, for example volcanoes, they could, in pairs, post notes on a whole of classroom Wallwisher page about their findings. The facts, information, photos and videos they find can be posted on the Wallwisher site, and then an assessment can be set making the pairs report information on another group's information they have posted on the site. As the students are working in pairs, they can select who will be the leader of the pair for the first activity, and who can be the leader of the pair for the second activity.

//Agility and Adaptability://

This skill could easily be taught through the use of Wikis. Wikis allow students to combine a range of digital methods in the one space. Teachers are able to set tasks in many different web based tools, and students have to learn a range of different programs to show their adaptibility and agility of mind. The various tasks are then brought together in a Wiki to demonstrate the range of learnings the student has attained.

//Initiative and Entrepreneurialism://

To demonstrate the student's initiative and entrepreneurialism, students can be set the task of creating their own smart phone application or creating their own game. They can then blog about the application or game, and get their friends to comment on whether they would pay for it or not if it was sold commercially. They can also find out modifications they could make to be a commercial proposition.

//Effective Oral and Written Communication://

All of the tasks mentioned so far ensure this skill is developed. PrimaryPad documents could also be created with various quizzes for students to respond to.

//Accessing and Analysing Information://

On the student's Wiki, learners can be set the task of subscribing to various RSS feeds appropriate to natural disasters from various weather, earthquake monitoring and other sites. These feeds are to appear on their Wiki, and then students are to consolidate the information into their blog each day, commenting on one of the most interesting articles from their feed.

//Curiosity and Imagination://

This skill is able to be developed through Glogster. Students create a Glog based on their natural disaster of choice, using as many creative tools as possible plus through design showing how imaginative they can be in interpreting the information they are glogging about.