Followers of Classroom Freebies are familiar with my free internet scavenger hunts. These are resources I originally developed 10 years ago as a computer lab teacher. Technology has changed a lot in the last 10 years, so I am constantly updating these resources. A lot of the updates are simply fixing broken links. However as new technology becomes available, I have begun offering different formats to meet the needs of different classrooms. My newest updates make them a great addition to any distance learning or hybrid learning classroom.
What is an internet scavenger hunt?
At Raki’s Rad Resources’ Teachers Pay Teacher store, I have multiple internet scavenger hunts. These are a combination of old school web quests and new school directed internet research projects. Students are given a variety of websites to search and questions to answer. Instead of just “Googling it” students get a chance to read through a variety of different child friendly websites. They use these websites to find the answers to questions on a variety of science and social studies topics.
While students are completing internet scavenger hunts, they build research skills, reading skills, questioning skills and the ability to determine which information is important and which information isn’t. These resources helps students build their background knowledge and use the internet to research in a safe manner. Internet scavenger hunts make great centers in literacy, science or social studies for traditional classrooms. For distance learning, students can work through these independently with just a little guidance.
What are the different format options?
When I originally published these internet scavenger hunts, they only included a .doc version that could be e-mailed directly to students. At that time students had to download the document, type on it, save it and then upload it into an e-mail to get it back to their teacher. The second format I added was a .PDF option that can be printed, but shared electronically with students who do not have Microsoft Word. The third option I added was a QR code option for teachers who were starting to have iPads and other tablets in their classrooms. Students can scan the QR code on a printed paper version and use their tablet to do the research.
What version works for distance learning?
This school year, with everyone switching to distance learning, it became obvious that teachers needed a version that was easily compatible with Google Classroom. Luckily, I have had Chromebooks in my classroom and had already been slowly adding Google Classroom versions. I’ve spent the last few months adding these Google Classroom versions.
For most of the internet scavenger hunts, the Google Classroom version gives you 2 additional options. One is a Google Doc, which is similar to my original type on version. However, instead of needing to email the document back and forth, it can be assigned in Google Classroom using the “make a copy for each student” option. Additionally, I have added a Google Form version wherever possible. The Google Form versions are designed to grade all multiple choice questions. These forms can be sent to students with or without Google Classroom. Students have all the links, have a place to answer the questions, and you get access to all of their answers as soon as they submit.
What if I need to use more than one formatting options?
Since I am aware that different schools and different students have access to a wide range of technologies, each and every internet scavenger hunt comes with all 4 possible formats. With distance learning or hybrid learning, this will make it possible for you to assign different versions to different students. You might assign the Google Classroom version for students who have access to laptops and broadband at home. However, students who rely on cell phones, tablets and hot spot data can be given QR code versions. The current crisis has made it clear that we have to be flexible, and having different formatting options gives you the opportunity to better meet kids where they’re at.
Free Internet Scavenger Hunts
Now that I have explained everything available, take a look for yourself. You can download these internet scavenger hunts from my Teacher’s Pay Teachers store for FREE. All internet scavenger hunts come with all four formats that I have discussed – Editable (.doc), Clickable (.pdf), Scannable (QR codes) and Distance Learning Ready (Google Docs and Google Forms).
Geographical Features of the USA
Economics: Producers & Consumers
Constructive & Destructive Forces
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