Hi, my name is Kelsey Shields and I am a junior at Penn State!

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

This phrase means that if you cannot handle the challenge, whatever it may be, you should remove yourself from the situation. For me, whenever somebody has said this to me, it becomes a sort of dare. It makes me feel as if they do not think I can do it and that I am weak. It instills in me a fear of failing, and I try even harder to make it. This saying does not just have to do with cooking, and I would say that most times it has nothing to do with a kitchen. This could be said at a sporting event, in a class, or at a job. It is rather broad, but always means, "If you are not tough enough, and this is breaking you down, you should leave." For most people it instills a drive to succeed.


http://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/

1. The text is readable, clear and succinct. I think that it is written in a way that the students will be able to understand. The visual design could be amped up a bit as could ours. Putting up pictures that show museum exhibitions and different works of contemporary art would be an awesome way to get them excited for the project.

2. Coming up with a theme definitely involves critical thinking. It is difficult to come up with themes in my own work so I know that they will have to really think about it, which is a good thing. Taking that to the next level of finding pieces by contemporary artists that are all related to that theme also involves a lot of critical thinking and research. Then creating their own piece to fit into the collection and theme involves even more critical and creative thinking. I think that in general your project will challenge these students and ask them to think and work in ways that they have not before.

3. There is no rubric here but writing out clear point values to their overall performance is important for them to know what is expected of them. It also makes it easier on you she you grade their final product.

4. This WebQuest uses Web 2.0 through the blogspot website. This is where the students create their exhibitions and look for contemporary artworks and artists.

5. Students are able to interact with each other through the blog. Will they be able to respond to one another's work. After they complete their project they have to compile a powerpoint, which will be uploaded to the WebQuest site. This is another way that the students can look at each other's final products.

1. The design of your website definitely conveys a theme. The images show Ancient Egyptian drawings and match the background well. The text is readable and age appropriate. The way you have written out the activities and information makes the assignment sound interesting. It puts the students into the mindset of actually living in Egypt in ancient times. I think that you wrote enough information, but not too much.

2. The task and process does facilitate critical and creative thinking. First the students have to figure out what job they would have had in Ancient Egyptian society. From there they have to research that trade and then create a story from it. In order to get enough information about their trade they have to explore the websites that are linked. Coming up with a story from there involves knowledge as well as creativity. I think that one thing that you could add is more of a step by step guide for completing the journal/storybook. When describing how to make the journal I think that you should be more specific. Just stapling papers together is not very specific and some students might be confused.

3. There is not a clear rubric on the website yet, but there is a grading outline. I definitely think that you should break down the number of points and what you are looking for in each breakdown so that the students know what is expected of them.

4. This uses Web 2.0 technologies because the students have to take pictures of their final works and upload them to a website. Uploading pictures onto the Web is important when having artistic goals. Uploading photos of works so that others may see them and creating online portfolios is an important skill to have.

5. Throughout this WebQuest students are able to interact with one another. As they research they are asked to work together and pair up with somebody who has the same trade as them. Students are also able to look at the artwork of other students online, which is a great way to show what students are doing outside of their small school. They are also able to see each other's work on the website when they are finished with their projects.