Laila Taylor

ITEC Portfolio Artifact Reflection

Standard 2.4 Higher Order Thinking Skills:

Candidates model and facilitate the effective use of digital tools and resources to support
and enhance higher order thinking skills (e.g., analyze, evaluate, and create); processes
(e.g., problem-solving, decision making); and mental habits of mind (e.g., critical
thinking, creative thinking, metacognition, self- regulation, and reflection).
1. Briefly describe the artifact and the context in which it was created. What was/were
your individual contribution(s)?
This artifact was created for 6th grade students, ages from 11 to 12 years old. This project
will allow students to predict the weather for their own town and two distant locations
and then evaluate how well they have done by comparing their results with the actual
weather and with professional forecasts. After this project, students will be able to

Interpret the symbols in online weather maps

Compare weather maps from day-to-day to find patterns in the weather
Compare their own predictions with professional forecasts and the next
days weather
Predict the weather for tomorrow based on the weather today
Communicate their weather predictions by creating weather maps and
presentations either on power point, prezi, video, or poster board

I created this project for students to use digital tools as an active part of their learning for
6th grade science standards over our weather unit. As the students progressed through the
web quest they were required to use higher order thinking skills in order to create their
own weather map and take on the role of a meteorologists. This web quest is located on
my school webpage for students to access.
2. Explain how this artifact demonstrates mastery of the standard/element under which it
is placed.
This artifact demonstrates my ability to create a web quest where students must use
higher order thinking skills throughout and in order to complete the assignment. When
completing the web quest students had to visit three different websites that were
embedded into the web quest where they completed several learning activities, and
analyze and interpret weather maps and their symbols. Students had to extend their
learning by observing and recording weather data from their local area and two other
distant locations. Once they gathered two weeks worth of data the students evaluate and
create predictions of the next days weather. As an assessment students communicated
their own weather predictions by creating a digital interactive weather map. Another
way that students had to use digital tools for higher order thinking processes would be
taking on the role of a meteorologists in their local area and using data to make a future
weather prediction. This artifact required students to have a creative mental habit of

Laila Taylor

ITEC Portfolio Artifact Reflection

mind when creating their own weather map. The artifact being a web quest allowed for
students to self-regulate their learning and the time at which they completed the project.
3. What did you learn from completing this artifact? What would you do differently to
improve the quality of the artifact or the process involved in creating the artifact?
Project Development I learned how to embed a video, add documents,
links, and images into my Weebly site. I loved working in weebly and
how easy it is to create my own pages. I dont know of anything I
would do differently besides having more time to create the web quest.
Instructional Design The students had several product choices they
could have made either a power point presentation, prezi, video of
weather forecast, or poster displaying weather map. I would add
another rubric for the weather chart to allow for the students to
document two weeks instead of one. I have used weebly for my
portfolio and for an online lesson, doing so showed me how user
friendly weebly is. By looking at my peers web quest I also saw
several web quest on wix, I liked the design that they had so I might
try that next time.
Personal Growth My confidence with technology has greatly increased
and I am very proud of the work that I did with creating my web quest.
My project is authentic and requires higher order thinking skills from
students. I am excited for my students to complete this web quest.
For Others I would recommend taking on a project like this little by
little. Gather resources first and then create the web quest. I would
highly recommend using weebly if they are familiar with the site.
4. How did the work that went into creating the artifact impact school improvement,
faculty development, or student learning? How can the impact be assessed?
After completing this artifact for ITEC 7445 I used this with all of my 6th grade classes
during our weather unit. The students generally enjoyed the project and did a great job
with their final project. Several 6th grade science teachers used my web quest as well
during this unit and remarked how easy it was to get to since I linked it to my school web
site.