Tred-208
 
 

Introduction

WebQuest

Assignment

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Introduction

Your school has held scheduled parent conferences for the past two nights.As a second year teacher you were hopeful that the personal notes you sent home with students would encourage more parents to attend.You have one student who appears to be very bright but just can’t seem to get it together enough to earn a passing grade. Unfortunately, her parents didn’t respond to the invitation to attend and your frustration over the student’s apparent lack of motivation is steadily increasing.

While standing in the hall awaiting the arrival of your 6:00 appointment, the English teacher in the classroom next door describes the great turn out she’s had thus far.You need to vent and in doing so describe this one student who has you counting to ten at least once every 6^th period. The English teacher asks if the student is AD/HD.While you’ve heard the term often enough, you’re chagrined to realize that you really don’t know much about AD/HD, certainly not enough to intelligently answer this question. 

Fear not! By the time you complete this WebQuest you will have the fundamental knowledge you need to identify a student who is potentially AD/HD, know how to document behaviors to validate AD/HD and know how to make instructional and assessment accommodations to meet the student’s learning goals.

To complete this assignment you will assume the roles of researcher and teacher.As a researcher you will visit various websites to learn more about AD/HD.As a teacher you will first create a brief descriptive case study of a student with AD/HD, then construct an action plan that outlines the ways in which you will accommodate the student’s learning needs in your classroom through your instructional and assessment practices.

To begin, research the web using the online links below to formulate thoughtful and knowledgeable responses to these questions:

1) What is AD/HD?

2) Approximately how many school-aged children and adults have this disability? 

3) What are the types and characteristics of AD/HD?

4) What causes AD/HD?

5) How are students diagnosed with AD/HD?

6) What treatment is available for students with AD/HD?  What are their benefits and possible side effects or detractors?

7) How does 504 and IDEA legislation address the needs of students with AD/HD? 

8) What factors must be considered in determining to apply either or both forms of legislation in meeting the learning needs of a student with AD/HD?

Who should be involved in making decisions about a learning plan and accommodations for a student with AD/HD?

9) Typically, what are some school-based services provided for students with AD/HD?

10) What challenges do students with AD/HD pose for teachers?

11) What strategies and accommodations have been shown to be effective in helping students with AD/HD learn?

12)What types of support can teachers working with AD/HD students generally expect at the school level?  What other supports or resources can teachers tap into to assist them in working effectively with students with AD/HD?

Step 1.Using the questions listed above to guide your investigation each group member will visit these online resources.

CHADD: Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The ADHD Information Library

KidSource Online

LD in Depth

IDEA Practices

IDEA '97: The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997

FAPE: The Families and Advocates Partnership for Education

LD in Depth: Developing 504 Accommodation Plans

Cleveland Heights Teachers Union: 504 Plan FAQs

Assuming the role of teacher and working collaboratively with other group members:

Step 2.Apply the knowledge you have gained as researchers by creating a handout that summarizes the essential aspects of what you’ve learned.Include resources that you think will be beneficial to others.

Step 3.Relying on the knowledge you’ve acquired about AD/HD and your preparation to become teachers

a. Select one category or type of AD/HD (you should know what I mean now that you’ve done some research), and

b. Create a case study of a fictional student.In two or three paragraphs, briefly describe your class environment and curriculum.Also, describe the AD/HD student including observed behaviors and ways the student appears to be academically and/or socially challenged.

Step 4.Outline an action plan that states specifically how you will modify your instruction and assessment practices to better meet the learning needs of this student.Identify how you will monitor the effectiveness of your action plan.

Step 5.Lead a mini-workshop in class to inform students about AD/HD.You should plan to share your summary handout, case study and action plan. 

The products created as part of this WebQuest assignment will be assessed using the rubric below.
 

	Exemplary 3	Satisfactory 2	Adequate 1	Revise Incomplete	Score
Apply knowledge of learning disabilities by creating a summary handout	Reflects a thorough Summary of the information provided by the online resources.All questions are addressed fully.	The online material is summarized, but missing one or two pieces of key information All but one question have been addressed fully.	The information presented highlights some but not all of the key information.Not all of the questions are addressed fully.	Handout is not acceptable.See instructor for guidance.
Apply knowledge of learning disability by creating a case study	Case study is well written, realistic and includes a highly accurate description of the characteristics associated with AD/HD.	Case study is well written, realistic and includes an acceptable description of the characteristics associated with AD/HD.	Case study may not be convincing or may not include an accurate description of the characteristics associated with AD/HD.	Case study is not acceptable.See instructor for guidance.
Apply knowledge of educational interventions by developing an action plan	The action plan Outlines highly appropriate interventions and addresses instructional, assessment and monitoring practices fully.	The action plan outlines most of the interventions considered appropriate and addresses instructional, assessment and monitoring practices fully.	The action plan outlines most of the interventions considered appropriate and addresses instructional, assessment and monitoring practices somewhat.	Action plan is not acceptable. See instructor for guidance.
Apply knowledge of disability and teaching through leading a mini-workshop	Workshop was highly informative, well organized and conducted collaboratively.	Workshop was informative with few gaps, well organized and conducted collaboratively.	Workshop was somewhat informative with some gaps, fairly wellorganized and conducted collaboratively.	No opportunity to revise.

Congratulations on completing this WebQuest!You should now understand that individuals with AD/HD do not learn in the same way or at the same pace as their non-disabled classmates.It is imperative that you continue to learn as much as possible about AD/HD.When taught by teachers who are well prepared and knowledgeable about this disability and new research findings, many individuals with AD/HD should be able to compensate for their disability.

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Credits & References

Image #1taken from www.altavista.com. (Images files, keyword AD/HD.)