Recently, Biology students learned about the classification of living things based on the work of Linnaeus. Every organism gets a specific name based on a number of criteria, but the naming process is largely based on how the organism looks. Students were expected to create a system of classification of a group of objects with a series of Yes/No questions that would identify all the members of the group. The choices were broad and included cartoon and TV characters, sports teams and logos, types of food and historical figures.
Originally, this project was a paper and poster board experience. A limitation of the original concept was a large discrepancy between excellent and less creative projects which led to grading difficulty and too much subjectivity. Additionally, students have regularly created non-electronic content in many classroom experiences.
As the project was revised, we chose to use the website creation software Weebly as the required format. The platform has a free version and works well with Mac, is an easy way to create web content and produces professional-quality products. This software is currently being used by several teachers on campus in their classrooms. Students have tried PowerPoint in previous years and it proved to be very difficult with this project.
One of my goals in a 1:1 classroom is to meaningfully use the technology available to students, allowing them to create while still learning the concepts.
A rubric was used with both science and technology expectations and students also peer-reviewed and critiqued one another’s work. Students were given ample class time and members of the I.T. team were in class to assist. As I felt my Weebly knowledge was lacking early on, I created my own website using characters from Bugs Bunny cartoons as an example. This project was completed in Mr. Miller’s Biology classes as well.
Click on the following links to find examples of student-created dichotomous keys:
