Make connections across content areas while earning badges as credentials

Submitted 8 years ago

Community Review for Smithsonian Quests

Jay V.
Jay V.
District Digital Learning Coach
My Rating
Pedagogy
Supports

My Take

I love the fact, and believe the students will prefer, the self-paced and passion based nature of this program. Students will also get feedback from experts in the fields aligned to the badges. Having valuable experiences plus relevant input from credible sources leads to powerful learning experiences. A useful tool for extending learning and interests in particular classrooms.

How I Use It

I would use this product as a way to extend student learning and experience particularly for science and social studies. The freedom for the students to decide which badges they would like to earn can provide valuable engagement and leverage. Student badges can serve as credentials for mastery within subjects depending on the alignment to the original assignment(s)/curriculum.

1 person found this helpful.

More community reviews for Smithsonian Quests

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Jennifer H.
Jennifer H. ITRT - Instructional Technology Resource Teacher Mechanicsville, VA
November 7, 2014

This is a great site for exploration of ideas and interests through discovery and collaboration.

This site is an excellent teaching tool. Students can choose their quest topic based on their own interests which makes the experience meaningful and motivating. Independent exploration helps build critical thinking skills,strengthen research skills,and allows students to apply information learned as they complete quests to earn badges. Smithsonian Quests offer something for learners of all ages.
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Cameron M.
Cameron M. Pelham, AL
March 12, 2014

Quality Engaging Lessons Assessed FOR you by trained Educators

The Smithsonian Quest website is a high quality, engaging site where most everything is done for you! In 5 minutes you can sign up your class and then invite your students (with parent permission if under 13) to join. Smithsonian takes over from there. Students are able to complete quests and earn badges across content areas. The best description comes from the web site itself. It reads, "From the art world to the zoo, from underwater to outer space, from current problems to future solutions, your students will have the freedom to explore their interests and make connections across subjects. They’ll develop skills and enhance their learning through discovery, while earning digital badges as credentials along the way."
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1 person found this helpful.