WebQuest
By: Heather Cowan
EDUC 5823: Advanced Technology in Education
Dr. Cassity
Fall 2011
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Have You Heard About
Sound???
A WebQuest for 3rd Grade Science
Designed by
Heather Cowan
Jenks Public Schools
heather.cowan@jenksps.org
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher
Section
Introduction
You have just become a musical artist and composer! You’ve decided
that playing an instrument and creating beautiful sounds for others to enjoy
is your new passion in life. However, when you go to try out for a nearby
musical group, the first thing they ask you is, “Do you know how sound really
even works?” You look to the left and you look to the right and think to
yourself, “Why would I need to know that? I just want to write and play my
instrument!” The leaders of the group explain that in order to be a
successful musician, it’s imperative that you understand sounds: how they’re
made, how to change them, and how people can even hear all of the
different sounds out there. So…you have decided to go do some research,
learn all about sound, and then head back to your audition one more time.
This next time, you’ll go bearing a presentation to show how much you now
know! Get ready to learn and be mystified by how awesome the study of
sound can really be!
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The Task
Following the steps in the process below, you will explore the topic of
sound. By the end of this search, you should have a good understanding of
how sounds are made, how we can change them to create higher and lower
pitches, and how the human ear works to send a particular sound signal to
your brain.
After you learn all of this, you will then create your own musical
composition to share with the class along with a written 2-page layout on
sound. You will present these 2 items next Monday and Tuesday in class.
This presentation will be your second “audition” to become the composer and
musical artist you’ve always wanted to be so make sure you’re prepared this
time!
The Process & Resources
1. We have learned a great deal about sound in class already. You’ll need to go
into Microsoft Word and create a three-column document named “Sound KW-L”. Make sure your name and date is typed in the upper right hand corner.
In the K column, please make a numbered list and list at least 10 things you
already know about sound. In the W column, list at least 5-7 things that you
want to learn. Some of these items might talk about the things you’ll be
learning in the WebQuest such as “How do I create a higher pitched sound?
Or How does the ear drum help in sending sound messages to the brain?”
Leave the L column blank; you will fill it out at the end. Save this document
to your server and title it “Sound K-W-L”. Use size 12 font.
2. You will need to explore the websites below to first research what sound
even is and how it’s made. I would suggest you take notes, in your own
words, on your learning so that you’ll be able to share it with classmates
later. You might even revisit your Sound K-W-L chart to make note of your
new learning.
Sound Powerpoint Watch the power point to learn more about Sound.
What's in a Wave? Learn how sounds help submarines see underwater or
help doctors study the heart. Then try controlling your own submarine
through a maze using only sonar to see!
Sound is Vibrations--Video
Fun Science: Sound A video that explains the process of one person making a
sound and another person hearing it.
3. Next, visit these sites to experience the different ways to create higher and
lower pitches. Afterwards, go back to your Sound K-W-L chart and write
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down, in your own words, some ways to create higher pitches and ways to
create lower pitches. Try to list at least 2 ways for each.
Listen! This website helps you explore how to change sounds.
Changing Sounds Experiment with different instruments, pitch, and volume.
Pattern Player See, hear, and create different patterns of sounds
Mysterious Melodies What happens when the notes of a song are
scrambled?? Can you still identify the song?
4. Now it’s time to learn about the ear and how we can even hear all these
sounds produced throughout the day. Visit these 3 sites and watch the
videos on the ear. Go back to your K-W-L and write what you’ve learned in
the L column.
Science of Sound Video Watch this video to review sound and also learn how
the ear works.
How the Human Ear Works—Video Another video that will show you how
the ear picks up sound.
Are You Listening? This video also explains how our ears hear sound.
Then click on the link below. Print out a blank diagram of the ear and label
the parts of the ear. You’ll turn this in with your final piece at the end of the
WebQuest.
Blank Ear Diagram This site will take you to a blank diagram of the ear.
Please print it, label it, and turn it in at the end of the WebQuest project.
Labeled Ear Diagram Use this diagram to help you label your blank one if you
need it.
5. Finally, it is time to create your own musical piece. Visit the website
below. Explore all the areas of the site before then going to “Composition
Workshop.” By going to all the other tabs first, you’ll be more prepared to
create your own musical piece following the instructions. Once you have
your piece finished, raise your hand so that I may come as evaluate your
work. Then, revisit your Sound K-W-L to add any new learning. Before we
leave the computer lab today, we’ll each share our musical composition with
the class.
New York Philharmonic
6. Now that you know so much about sound, it’s time to show off. Back in the
classroom, you’ll use your knowledge to create a 2-page layout to share with
the class next week. You need to have 3 written parts, a visual text feature
(diagram, illustration, chart, graph, etc.), a boarder, a main title, and
subheadings. Your topic may be focused on anything related to sound that
you have learned and would like to share. Your presentation next week will
be your second “audition” to become the musical artist and composer you’ve
always wanted to be, so make it great!! I think you’re ready…let’s go!!!
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Evaluation
The following rubric will be used to assess your WebQuest work:
2-Page Layout
Content
Covers topic
in-depth with
details and
examples.
Subject
knowledge is
excellent.
Sound K-W-L
Shows indepth thought
about what
was Known,
Wanted to
know, and
Learned
throughout the
project.
Musical
Composition
Showed great
creativity and
understanding
of the science
of creating
sound.
Ear Diagram
Fully
completed in
an organized
manner;
shows strong
understanding
of the parts of
the ear.
Interesting,
well-rehearsed
with smooth
delivery that
holds audience
attention.
Oral
Presentation
Requirements
All
requirements
of the
WebQuest are
met and
exceeded.
Includes
essential
knowledge
about the
topic. Subject
knowledge
appears to be
good.
Shows
adequate
thought about
what was
Known,
Wanted to
know, and
Learned
throughout the
project.
Showed
adequate
creativity and
understanding
of the science
of creating
sound.
Fully
completed;
shows
adequate
understanding
of the parts of
the ear.
Includes
essential
information
about the topic
but there are
1-2 factual
errors.
Content is
minimal OR
there are
several factual
errors.
Shows
inadequate
thought about
what was
Known,
Wanted to
know, and
Learned
throughout the
project.
Showed
inadequate
understanding
of the science
of creating
sound.
Shows little to
no thought
about what
was Known,
Wanted to
know, and
Learned
throughout the
project.
Relatively
interesting,
rehearsed with
a fairly smooth
delivery that
usually holds
audience
attention.
All
requirements
of the
WebQuest are
met.
Delivery not
smooth, but
able to hold
audience
attention most
of the time.
One part not
completed,
shows
inadequate
understanding
of the parts of
the ear.
One or two
requirements
of the
Webquest
were not
completely
met.
Showed little to
no
understanding
of the science
of creating
sound.
More than one
part not
completed,
shows
inadequate
understanding
of the parts of
the ear.
Delivery not
smooth and
audience
attention lost.
More than two
requirements
of the
WebQuest
were not
completely
met.
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Conclusion
CONGRATULATIONS! You just had your second audition and you were
successful!
After completing this WebQuest, you should have learned that sound is a
type of energy created by vibrations. Shorter or faster vibrations create
higher pitched sounds while slower or longer vibrations create lower pitched
sounds. Sound can be changed in many ways some of which include:
changing the length of an object, changing the vibration frequency, changing
the material, and many more. Using the different parts of our ear, we are
able to take in sound messages and send them to our brain. All of this helps
us understand the science of sound just a little bit better.
Hopefully, you’ll now be more aware of the sounds around you.
Your research shouldn’t be over just yet though…
Think about animals: how do they use sound and change it to meet their
needs?
How about sign language? What’s the purpose of a language created without
any sounds?
Could you create an instrument of your own?
Do we find any sounds in writing?
Stay alert, there’s much more to be learned on the topic of sound!!
Credits
Thanks to all the above-listed websites for their resources in which to link to
in this WebQuest. Their information proved very helpful in the successful
creation of this project.
Thanks to Microsoft Word and http://www.clipartof.com/gallery/clipart for
providing the royalty-free images for this WebQuest.
Thanks also to STC 3rd Grade Science Kits for providing the necessary
background knowledge for me to create this project.
Teacher Section
PASS SKILLS:
Physical Science; Standard 1: Properties of Objects and Materials –
Describe characteristics of objects based on physical properties such
as size, shape, color, or texture. Vibration of materials causes sound.
The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process
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standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:
2. Sound is produced by vibrations (i.e., pitch and loudness).
3. Sound travels through air, water, and/or solids.
Oral Language/Listening/Speaking; Standard 2: Speaking - The
student will express ideas and opinions in group or individual
situations.
1.Speak articulately and audibly using appropriate grammar, enunciation,
and volume.
NETS-S STANDARDS:
#4 Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research,
manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using
appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for
investigation.
b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed
decisions.
d. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative
solutions.
# 5 Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to
technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information
and technology.
b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports
collaboration, learning, and productivity.
c. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
d. exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.
Resources and Materials
For this lesson, one teacher will need the following:
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A class set of computers (one per student)
A note-taking, working journal (one per student)
A printer connected to the student computers
Materials for the 2-page layout (writing utensils, poster board, stencils,
etc.)
A way to show individual student computer work to the whole class.
Everything can, and should, be completed at school during regular class
time. An aide or volunteer would be helpful during any and all parts of the
lesson but it not necessary.