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 Why Teach? WebQuest Created by: Melissa Olson & Katie Schultz
 * An Internet WebQuest on Why Teach**

[|Introduction] | [|The Task] | [|The Process] | [|Conclusion] |



**Introduction** In the following WebQuest, you will use the power of teamwork to learn all about why a student should pursue a degree in education. Each person on your team will become an expert on some aspect of education and then you will come together at the end to share and get a better understanding of the topic as a whole. 

**Task** Why should a student pursue a degree in education? 

**Process** You will be working together as a group exploring web sites. You should start with the pages that are labeled 'Background Information' before dividing into groups. Each role has their own task to complete.

**Phase 1 - Background Information** These sites are important because they will provide basic information about the topic as a whole. Everyone should explore these sites before starting your role.
 * [|The History of Education in America]
 * [|Teachers-Bureau of Labor Statistics]
 * [|Education World]
 * [|Teaching Pre-K through 8]

**Phase 2 - Roles** These roles were chosen because they each define the most important elements of why a student should pursue a degree in education. Each of you has been assigned a particular role with links and instructions below. Here are the general instructions for all of you. Please see your specific instructions and questions below. INSTRUCTIONS: 1. One or two members from each WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below. 2. Read through the webpages designated for your role. You can print out pages and underline the parts that you feel are important or cut and paste from the webpage into a word processor. 3. Remember to include the URL of the page you take information from so you can return to it and use it as a citation. 4. Focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task.


 * High school student**:
 * [|What is the Job Like?]
 * [|Teacher Education Programs]
 * [|Career Voyage in Education]
 * [|Decide if Teaching is Right For You]
 * [|Career Summary: Teaching]

Use these links to answer the following questions: 1. What type of education & training do you need before becoming a teacher?

2. What are the tasks & skills required of a teacher?

3. How could someone tell if a teaching degree is right for them?

**Undecided college student**:
 * [|Benefits of Being a Teacher]
 * [|Elementary Education Program Checksheet]

Use these links to answer the following questions. 1. What are some of the benefits of being a teacher?

2. What are some of the classes that education majors must take?

** College of Education Student: **
 * [|College of Education Website - Dakota State University]
 * [|Continuing Your Education]
 * [|Master's Degree in Education]

Use these links to answer the following questions: 1. What types of majors and programs are included in the College of Education?

2. What does a master's degree in education involve?

**Current Teacher**:
 * [|Teacher Resources]
 * [|Sites for Teachers]
 * [|SD Department of Education]

Use these links to answer the following questions. 1. As a teacher, are there resources that help you to do your job? Do you feel supported?

2. What are some of the resources available to teachers?

3. What is required of teachers to keep their teaching certificate current?

**Phase 3 - Reaching Consensus** You have all learned about different aspects of education and teaching. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective. You must all now answer the question, 'Why should someone pursue a degree in education?' as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the web sites you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's response. Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with. 

**Conclusion** Now that you have exlored this webquest answer the following question. Why is a degree in education appealing to high school students, an undecided college student, a student in the college of education, and a current teacher?

klschultz611@pluto.dsu.edu mrolson4860@pluto.dsu.edu ||
 * || Content by: Melissa Olson & Katie Schultz