Objectives:

During this session, you will

• understand the purpose of web scavenger hunts and site explorations.
  
  
• view site explorations available on the web.
  
  
• see how exploration levels become more advanced as students’ skills increase.
  
  
• learn the steps for creating site explorations.
  
  

Scavenger Hunts are Internet activities where students explore one or more Internet sites for the purpose of searching for answers to questions related to the classroom curriculum. These hunts can also be referred to as Site Explorations. Site Explorations are one easy way to begin to use the Internet to support the curriculum.
For an example of an on-line scavenger hunt, visit the following Web Site:

Dan & Ann’s Scavenger Hunt
http://www.athena.ivv.nasa.gov/curric/general/scavhunt.html


Directions For Creating Site Explorations

1. Locate a web site that will support your lesson.
   
   
2. As you review the site, write down questions that you would like the students to answer.
   
   
3. Type up the questions along with the URL and the appropriate links.
   
   
4. Code the site exploration for on-line use.
   
   
5. Use a program similiar to Web Whacker to save any site for future use.
   
   
6. Have students create site explorations to use in class.

Levels of site Explorations

As students gain skill navigating the web, they can progress to more challenging levels of site explorations.

Level 1Use site explorations found on the Internet.


Level 2Have students complete teacher created site explorations.


Level 3Give students rich sites to explore. These sites should be previewed by the teacher.
Students can then create their own site explorations using the teacher’s site.


Level 4Have students use their Internet searching skills to locate their own sites.
Students can then create their own site explorations using their site.

Tips

Always preview Internet sites used in site exploration. To ensure consistent access to a particular web site, Web Whacker can be used to capture the site. Remember that the Internet is constantly changing. Some sites may move or disappear altogether.

Little Explorers by Enchanted Learning Software
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/Dictionary.html

Ee Lynn’s Homepage on Endangered Species
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2876/indexf.htm

InfoUse’s PlaneMath Activities
http://www.planemath.com/activities/pmactivitiesall.html

Dole 5 a Day: Cool Stuff About Fruits and Vegetables
http://www.dole5aday.com/index.html

Yukiest Site on the Internet
http://www.nj.com/yucky/index.html