Online Learning Module: Internet CyberHunts
Dixie School District Staff Development Day
January 16, 2002, 1:45 pm - 3:30pm
Presenter: Mary Ann Rechtfertig
Audience: 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers

I. Overview

Using this learning module, teachers will:

A) see and use examples of CyberHunts.
B) develop a CyberHunt, using a template.
C) view some outstanding online resources for Social Studies.

II. Introduction

Teachers are becoming innovative users of the Internet
to help improve their teaching.

They are developing learning activities that:

A) guide students through their use of the Internet,
B) help students meet learning objectives, and
C) help teachers assess student progress, and easily
report this progress to parents.

III. What Are CyberHunts?

A CyberHunt is an online scavenger hunt in which students search for answers to questions. A CyberHunt is one of the easiest online activities for students to use. While making a Cyberhunt, teachers learn and practice beginning technology integration skills.

Each month in the Electronic Learning section of Instructor Magazine, there is a CyberHunt (see Bears in North America.)

To see this month’s CyberHunt, go to Instructor Magazine.
Click on CyberHunt!.

IV. Why Make or Use CyberHunts?

Using CyberHunts helps students:

A) learn the basics of web navigation,
B) practice reading online information for meaning,
C) respond to comprehension questions, using the
Internet,
D) prepare for more complex online activities.

Making or Using CyberHunts helps teachers:

A) conduct online searches for information,
B) identify appropriate websites,
C) develop online activities that relate to teaching objectives,
D) manage students to complete online activities.

V. Steps for Making A CyberHunt

A) Select a topic.

B) Use Yahooligans, or any children’s search engine, to find five to
eight appropriate web sites.

1) Appropriate sites have interesting graphics and content that students can read and understand.

C) The CyberHunt templates below have been formatted with
pre-searched web sites.

1) To use a template for making your own CyberHunt, copy and paste it into a word processing document (e.g. AppleWorks,)

3rd Grade Template -- Native American Cultures
4th Grade Template -- California Missions
5th Grade Template -- People in Colonial America
Black History Month Template -- People and Events

D) Next, go to each web site in the template, and read the text.

E) Write a question for each site, using a variety of Questioning Strategies.

F) Make a CyberHunt Answer Key.

G) Add a graphic to your CyberHunt, if desired.

1) Mouse down on a graphic, select Copy this Image, toggle back to AppleWorks, and select Edit, Paste.

H) Save your finished CyberHunt. (Print out if desired.)

I) Publishing CyberHunts on a web site allows students to:

1) go online (alone or with a partner) in the classroom or lab,
2) read the questions,
3) click on the web site, and
4) use paper and pencil to record answers, paraphrased
in their own words.

J) After your students have done teacher-created CyberHunts, they can make their own!

1) For example, have students go to Stamp on Black History.

2) You (or they) select six to eight famous Black Americans.

3) Students write questions and an answer key, using paper and pencil. (Many students could use the Questioning Strategies; print these out for them.)

4) Students trade, and complete each other’s CyberHunts.

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