!Essential+Questions



Understanding Start Pages using the ©Understanding by Design (UbD) Model.
A model of learning based on the precepts outlined by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTigue.

**Essential Questions** are based on the **Six Facets of Understanding.**
How are Start Pages used? || How might Start Pages affect my teaching? How might one use Start Pages to further student achievement? How might students use Start Pages? || How can Start Pages be used to increase understanding? How can Start Pages be used to keep current? How might I enhance the teaching of subjects through the creation of Start Pages? Should I promote the use of Start Pages with my students? || What do students feel about the use of Start Pages? What are the strengths and weaknesses Start Pages? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Start Pages? || What can be done to enhance learning for special needs students? What is the use of Start Pages trying to accomplish? || Am I helping to enhance student achievement through the creation of Start Pages? What are the limits of my understanding of this tool? How can I best show my students how to use this tool? How might I show other teachers and the administration how to effectively use Start Pages? How might I be instrumental in effectively showing students the benefits of a Start Page? ||
 * **Explanation** || What is a Start Page?
 * **Interpretation** || How is a Start Page different from a Web Page?
 * **Interpretation** || How is a Start Page different from a Web Page?
 * **Application** || How can I use this in my classroom to better student achievement?
 * **Application** || How can I use this in my classroom to better student achievement?
 * **Perspective** || What do other teachers feel about the use of Start Pages?
 * **Perspective** || What do other teachers feel about the use of Start Pages?
 * **Empathy** || How can this tool be used to meet the special needs of all students?
 * **Empathy** || How can this tool be used to meet the special needs of all students?
 * **Self-knowledge** || Am I using Start Pages effectively in the classroom?
 * **Self-knowledge** || Am I using Start Pages effectively in the classroom?

**WHERETO** highlights the key considerations and serves as an analytical tool for the design model.
Participants will become familiar with the various web services providing Start Pages. Participants will learn how to create Start Pages. Participants will understand RSS feeds. Participants will understand the concept of embedding widgets. Participants will learn how to manipulate widgets. || Introduction to the most frequenly used Start Page web services. Suggestions for the creation of a Start Page, in particular for educational purposes. || A pre-assessment survey should be taken as an initiation to the in-service. Each Start Page web service is presented with features and tutorials Videos detailing the set up of a Start Page should be watched. || Participants will use this tool in the classroom when appropriate. Participants will share their Start Pages with others when appropriate. Participants will use the discussion tab of this wiki for suggestions and revisions. || Participants will self-evaluate throughout the in-service through the use of the Start Page. Participants should ask themselves whether they are using Start Pages in the most effective manner. || Gadgets and widgets will be revised and updated according to need. || Participants will organize and optimize their time to reach a deep understanding of Start Pages so as to use it in the most effective manner for student achievement. ||
 * **W** || **Where and Why** || Participants will understand what Start Pages are.
 * **H** || **Hook and Hold** || Presentation by visual and audio tools for understanding the nature of Start Pages
 * **H** || **Hook and Hold** || Presentation by visual and audio tools for understanding the nature of Start Pages
 * **E** || **Explore, Experience, Enable, Equip** || An overview is presented to understand the nature of Start Pages
 * **E** || **Explore, Experience, Enable, Equip** || An overview is presented to understand the nature of Start Pages
 * **R** || **Reflect, Rethink, Revise** || Participants will actively explore all of the pages available in this in-service.
 * **R** || **Reflect, Rethink, Revise** || Participants will actively explore all of the pages available in this in-service.
 * **E** || **Evaluate** || A pre-assessment survey will be presented at the beginning of the in-service.
 * **E** || **Evaluate** || A pre-assessment survey will be presented at the beginning of the in-service.
 * **T** || **Tailor** || Participants will select the appropriate gadgets and widgets to their own personal taste.
 * **T** || **Tailor** || Participants will select the appropriate gadgets and widgets to their own personal taste.
 * **O** || **Organize, Optimize** || Participants will organize the gadgets and widgets on their personal Start Page to optimize their use.
 * **O** || **Organize, Optimize** || Participants will organize the gadgets and widgets on their personal Start Page to optimize their use.