Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts: I use them to help students learn how to use the resources of the library. Since, they have to search the library and the library’s website for the correct answer, they are learning about the library. They are filling out short answers to questions that are designed to move their learning levels in research in order to do an excellent job in their classes and in their future careers.
I used scavenger hunts when I taught Introduction to Computers. I set it up so that students had to search the web to find answers to a series of questions. In addition to learning how to navigate and effective search the web, they also needed to assess the validity of the information they found by comparing it to multiple sites. One of the items they searched for was where the first Mardi Gras was located. This was specifically picked because one site had conflicting information with the other sites. Students loved this assignment because it seemed like a game rather than work!
I would like to use this strategy as well to find good websites that are pertinant to my topic.
This sounds like fun! It also gets them up and moving helping those hands-on learners!
I think that's a fantastic idea! I think I could actually turn an activity where students have to complete an insurance form into a scavenger hunt -- only they would be searching through the made-up patient records to find the information they need to complete the form! That might be a way to present it in a little more interesting fashion.
i have used scavenger hunts in the past to help student familiarize themselves with the lab, and important sections and pieces of it. it allows them a chance to feel their way thru and learn at thier own paces.
I have even used this method when starting with a new text to get them to familiarize themselves with the text and all of it's contents.
I have been doing this myself but having the students also look for articles is a great idea.
HI Justin- Thanks for your post to the forum. You are also demonstrating the relevance of what they are learning to your students. Great work! Best wishes- Susan
I ask the students to keep their eyes peeled for interesting printed materials they encounter in their daily lives and to bring them into class every now and then. In the design field it's very important to see what's out there.
I find that students find things that they didn't know were available to them when we do the scavenger hunt.
HI David - What do you teach? I'll bet we can all come up with some great ideas for you! Anyone?? Best wishes - Susan
HI Martha- You make a great point - students will indeed remember better if they have had to find the info themselves. It's the same for me when I am in a car. If I am a passenger I will likely not remember the route, if I have driven it i most likely will. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Mark - Thanks for your post! I love scavenger hunts - they really get students involved and also make great ice-breakers. Thanks for sharing. Susan
sounds like a nice idea i am going to try and come up with some ways of using that in classroom
I do scavenger hunts in the clinical setting to assist the student in orientation to the new learning envirnoment. This eases the student's anxiety and allows them to function efficiently.
I like to do scavenger hunts when my students first step in to a new facility. They are required to locate certain departments and floors. It takes the work off the instructor and puts it on the student which I believe helps the student to remember better.
I use hunts for an Intro to some topics in the computer lab setting. Students "hunt" for terms on their computers. They learn to use the help menu which is one of the most important resources you have.
I use the same name for my activity in math class where I have a set of cards with different problems on the front of the card and some answer on the back of the card. As soon as the student has completed the front side they then have to wonder around the room searching for their answer on the back of another card. When the have found their answer they then begin working on the problem on the front of that card. Repeating the steps above until they make a full circle back to the card where they started. Sometimes I will put a letter with the coresponding correct answer that when the unscramble the letters will spell a silly saying.
