Introduction:

Essential question: Which is the best method to solve the water crisis?

There is a chronic shortage of water In Western Australia. There are many suggestions for the solution to this. There are many suggestions ranging from use of grey water to desalination plants. Your group has to decide the best solution or combinations of solutions. You will need to find out how much water there is; how much is available for use; varying competiton for usage; competing theories for solutions and come to a consensus about the best method/s for solving the problem.

You are part of a six person team that is investigating the water crisis in WA. You will advocate your position strongly, with arguments to support

• Economist: Your main concern is how much the method is going to cost in relation to the present situation and perceived benefits. Economics need to consider due to the problem of scarcity: Economic Cost (Opportunity Cost): What we forgo; Financial Cost: $value ; Technical Cost: How might it be done.
• Politician: Your main concern is achieving a result which pleases your constituents, businesses and consumers… and impresses future voters.
• Environmentalist: Your main concern is to promote the method that minimises pollution and promises to be sustainable.
• Scientist: Your main interest is in the processes and possibilities.
• Consumer – domestic: Your main concern is continuing reliable supply for household use, recreation and gardens.
• Consumer – business: Your main concern is uninterrupted supply for your business operation.

The Task

1. Produce individual notes from research/viewings with attached bibliographies.
2. Produce individual reactions in one creative and one transactional form.
3. Make a recommendation to your fellow students of your group decision and findings using oral presentation illustrated by PowerPoint.
4. Produce a report, printed and/or on a website, including individual reactions, recommendations, a summary of your findings, reasons for your decisions and reference list of sources used.

The Process

1. You will need to examine a variety of resources to make your decision.
2. Make notes on your findings, recording sources. Bibliography Format
3. Create individual reactions. See English, Art or Music teacher for help.
4. Make presentations to your group based on your assigned role.
5. Confer often and come to a compromise decision.
6. Present your findings. in oral and powerpoint form PowerPoint Tutorials
7. Present your findings in report form Report Writing in print or website Website Design
8. Reflect on the process.

The Resources

• Lesson material from teachers (don’t forget to take notes!)
• News - keep your eyes and ears open for television, radio and newspaper articles. See also Breaking News
• Non-Fiction Books in Library
• Fiction Books in the Library
• Videos in the Library
• Magazine in the Library
• Vertical File articles in the Library
• Other Films, videos
• Magazines - search for current articles. See also Magazines
• Art
• List of relevant web sites. Water Crisis in Western Australia . You may search for others if time permits.
• See also Water: Its Use and Distribution
• Atlas Reference sectionof library. 
• Primary Source interviews - Use the telephone, fax or email to ask people what they think directly.
  • web sites often provide email addresses
  • contact someone in a related department or business and ask for their views.

The Evaluation

Rubrics

Assessment/Outcomes

Learning Areas:

Art; English; D&T; ICT; Literacy; H &PE; Maths; Music; S & E; RE; Science.

Presentations:

1. Research Summary
2. Individual response: Transactional
3. Individual response: Creative
4. Group Work
5. Oral Presentation/PowerPoint
6. Report (Print or Website)
7. References

    

The Conclusion

• What was difficult? What was easy?
• What worked? What didn’t
• What did you learn?
• This WebQuest challenged you to think deeply about possible conclusions to the water crisis.
• You've looked from one point of view because when you want to understand something really huge, it's good to look at it in some smaller parts. So that you do get the Big Picture we asked you to share your great ideas and insights with your group and then come up with one Grand Theory that you can present to others. We hope that getting your head around such a big question prepares you to understand lots of what you'll be studying as you continue in school. All the best!

Teacher

Introduction:setting up ; orients students and captures their interest.

Introduction Building Blocks of Webquest Bernie Dodge

Task: what has to done

• Task Building Blocks of Webquest Bernie Dodge
• Consensus Building Tasks Webquest Taxonomy Bernie Dodge

Process: how it has to done

Process: Building Blocks of Webquest Bernie Dodge

Evaluation: criteria and rubrics, measures the results of the activity.

• Evaluation Building Blocks of Webquest Bernie Dodge

Conclusion

Conclusion Building Blocks of Webquest Bernie Dodge