A New Kind of Quest: CultureQuest
Dr. Sheila Offman GershCity College of New York
Esther Feffer – President S.T.C
http://www.culturequest.us
http://www.schoollink.org/twin
CultureQuest projects are:
inquiry-based investigations of other peoples and cultures that are rooted in student questions and based upon student interests
CultureQuest Projects may: Focus on foreign cultures Focus on your country’s culture and/or
subcultures Focus on the diverse cultural heritages
of the students Compare and contrast any of the
above.
Greek Holiday Foods
CultureQuest Goals To promote knowledge and appreciation of
other peoples and cultures. To foster understanding and appreciation of
one’s own culture and cultural heritage. To enhance enthusiasm, interest and
motivation for school.
CultureQuest Goals To promote authentic, creative and better
school work. To strengthen technology skills. To increase literacy, inquiry and research
skills. To provide a model for technology
integration.
literature art music history government
religion language everyday life customs & traditions Values, beliefs and
behavior
WHAT APECTS OF CULTURE ARE EXAMINED?
Music in Russia
CULTUREQUEST PROJECTS MAY RELATE TO OTHER DISCIPLINES Social Studies Music, Dance, Performing Arts Art Science Math Economics Geography
Environment Impact of Fishing in Spain
21ST Century Model of Education
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Technology Skills
Access Internet resources for the study of culture. Promote communication with students and
experts in the target country (ePals). Internet Basics --searching, evaluating Web sites,
use of proper citation, appropriate and ethical use policies, etc.
Teaching with the Internet Creating Concept Maps (ex.
Inspiration—http://www.inspiration.com) Creation of an educational Web site.
Related CultureQuest Skills Academic
Reading
Technology
Internet Use
Learning Styles
Problem
Solving
Culture
Appreciation of Diversity and Multi-culturalism
Writing Computer Skills
Research
Skills
Acting as Cultural Informant
Music, Art, Literature
Web Site Design
Creativity Knowledge of Another Culture
History, geography
Presentation & Graphics
Collaboration Knowledge of American and own Culture
CultureQuest Pedagogy Student-Centered
Constructivist Project-Based Authentic
Ownership Interdisciplinary Inquiry-Based Collaborative
Teacher as Facilitator
Multicultural Standards-Based
Real Audiences for Work
Multiple Intelligences
Humanistic and Caring
Students as Workers
Product/Action
The CultureQuest Process Decide on target culture Brainstorm what students know about the
culture Brainstorm what students want to know
about the culture Cover the core areas with whole class
The CultureQuest Process (cont’d) Use ePals.com to find classrooms Students communicate with counterparts using e-mail on ePals.com
Divide students into small groups by interest area using e-mail on ePals.com Divide students into small groups by interest area
In Gathering Information about the Culture:
Use books and library resources Use Internet resources Explore resources in own city/community
Museums People (oral history) Visit neighborhoods (shops, restaurants, etc.) Cultural Centers
E-mail to students and/or adult experts
Final Products Class creates Web site with general
information and links to group projects Other multimedia products:
PowerPoint HyperStudio Digital stories with stills and videos
Countries Participating in CQ (besides the US)
Australia Chile India Israel Japan Spain Sweden
A Project about Tourism in Dominican Republic
Culturequest in Israel The first Israeli CultureQuest project will be done at the Bialik
School in Holon,. Holon city is known for her investments and achievement in education, With assistance from the Kibbutzim College of Education in Tel Aviv, teachers and students will receive the training and assistance to plan and carry out the project.
Three schools will do a CultureQuest, . Looking at the project from the perscpective of Arab students, Religious Jewish Students and Secular Jewish.
The schools include the assistance of 3 teachers colleges: El Kasimi- in Balka in El Garbis Kibbutzim College of Education in Tel Aviv Academic Talpiyot (Jerusalem)
Culturequest in Israel Acre (Acco) city 2 schools will do a CultureQuest project based on the theme “ I am
proud of my city, that ‘s why I like others cities. Looking at the Acco City from the perscpective of Arab students,
and Secular Jewish. The Arab school El Amal will do the CQ in Arabic
Gordon the Jwish school will do CQ in Hebrew at the end they will compare the CQ . They will have the assistance of :
El Kasimi- Arab college for teachers Academic Arabic College of Education in Haifa , Municipality , Ministry of Education – Dr Nimer Baaya Students in both cities will have a dialogue about their city and create
a project. In addition to the websites, students will also create huge posters of their town.
Culturequest in Israel Hod Hasharon – Two 5th grade Hebrew classes in Hod
Hasharon Reut school will do a CultureQuest project about “60 Years of Israel”, reflecting the history of Israel through posters, coins (have changed several times), people, etc. The end project will be websites in Hebrew and posters.
http://www.culturequest.us
QUESTIONS???