WebQuest

= = =Overview=

A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web. WebQuests are designed to use learners’ time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners’ thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

=Important Links=

@http://zunal.com/webquest.php?user=38635 http://webquest.org/

=Improving Network Security=


 * Title:** Improving Network Security
 * Description**: For this WebQuest, students are charged with the task of designing a computer network. Beyond basic network design, students must tackle the issues associated with network security. As part of this process, students will examine security principles as they relate to Windows Active Directory.
 * Author**: Cubbage, Darius
 * Grade Level**: 9-12, College / Adult
 * Curriculum:** Technology
 * Co-Author(s):**
 * Keywords:** network design, computer networking

=Process & Relevancy=

The WebQuest that I created requires students to examine network security and come up with a list of security threats and vulnerabilities that exist within Microsoft networks. Once they have completed this task, they are charged with the task of developing network policies and security measures that can be use to combat the aforementioned threats. This particular WebQuest is very relevant to our vocational program because it deals with an issue that is at the very heart of our program and the courses within. Our vocational program focuses on computer network and, for obvious reasons, network security is one of the most important topics that we cover.

The process that I used to determine this topic was very involved and took quite a bit of time. Originally, I had decided that my WebQuest would deal with the basic elements of web design and coding with HTML. Upon review, however, we deteremined that there was no real inquiry aspect to this particular topic, so I began to brainstorm new ideas that would be more applicable to the true purpose of the WebQuest assignment - inquiry driven projects.

=Reflection=

I really enjoyed this assignment and found it to be very beneficial. I am a big proponent of web based projects and believe that students can really benefit from a project of this nature. Simply put, the Internet is a tremendous resource and truly needs to be incorporated into all lesson plans. I feel that this type of assignment really gets us moving in that direction, and I plan on using WebQuests in all of my classes moving forward.

For me, this was our most challenging assignment. As such, I think that it is going to be the assignment that has the most impact moving forward. While each of the assignments in the course provided a challenge, I would say that none was greater than the challenge the WebQuest assignment. This assignment really challenged me and forced me to think outside of the box. Because of that, I found the completion of this assignment to be the most rewarding.

media type="file" key="webquest_dariuscubbage.mp3" width="240" height="20"