All links are current as of 5/02/04

Introduction

Task

Process

  • StudentRoles
  • Daily Team Log.doc
  • Proposal Content Requirements
  • Site Reference Log

Evaluation

Websites

Conclusion

TeacherPage

Credits

Introduction [Top]

Is it not enough to just love Word Processing? Now you have the opportunity to participate in a customized WebQuest! The goal of this WebQuest is to synthesize all of the valuable word processing skills you have gained throughout Units 1-4. Efficient Word Processing students, not only know how to use the options in Microsoft Word 2000,but also know how to start from scratch, research necessary data, and format professional looking documents.

Wow! Get ready for this NEWS!!

Your class has been selected by the Count von Imabizzionaire (A.K.A. the “Count”) to participate in a once in a lifetime chance to win a grant proposal for the vacation of your dreams!! You will plan all the necessities of the trip for yourself and ONE guest of your choice. Use your imagination!! Cruise to Hawaii, sail in Australia, eat Chinese food in China………..

Of course you know that with anything FREE, there is usually a “catch” that is found in the fine print of the document. Please continue through the WebQuest to determine the task to be completed in your Quest.

Task [Top]

The Count von Imabizzionaire does not choose to give his dollars away without some form of required work. He has developed a fascination with customized business proposals and enjoys engaging high school students in design of such proposals. Count von Imabizzionaire appreciates the impact of teamwork in the world of business. He is also a very picky business man (and has earned respect from many, due to his technicality in some areas). Therefore, your task to prepare a customized business proposal for the Count will require an effort that you will be proud of in the end. The winning proposal will be admired by all!!!!

You will work with a team of 3 to create the proposal for your trip. The point of destination will be the same for the proposal; however, each individual member of the winning proposal may choose a different point of destination and guest for their dream vacation.

Pay special attention to the requirements set forth by the Count. The EVALUATION rubric is a tool to guide the requirements of your proposal. You may personalize the proposal, however, the component parts must be present. (See PROCESS for an outline of component parts). The following information will be necessary as you venture on to meet the challenges of this WebQuest:

The Count requires:

  • Teams must consist of 3 students to design a proposal for a common point of destination.
  • A BUSINESS LETTER to the Count will be written, within the proposal, containing information provided from research by each team member.
  • All component parts of the proposal must be present.
  • Proposal must include estimated expenses for you and one other guest.
  • Estimated expenses must not exceed$5,000.
  • Total time frame for vacation must not exceed 7 days and 6 nights.
  • Travel before August 1, 2004.
  • A letter requesting time-off from a part-time job, community or organizational commitment should be included within the proposal.

You will have 8 class blocks (12hours) to complete this WebQuest. You and your team may work outside of class. You must mail (via SPECIAL DELIVERY) your BOUND proposal to:

Count von Imabizzionaire’s

777 Bazillion Drive

Imatown, NJ 12874

Process [Top]

The following information will serve as the guide for specific roles you and your teammates will play in the proposal writing experience. Your team may choose the role each individual will fulfill. You will utilize the Internet to find the information needed to accomplish the task of completing the proposal.

The Teams

The Count has specifically divided your class into teams of 3. You will work together to create the business proposal during the 8 block time frame. Teamwork is important for successful completion of the task! Your team may choose any location within the classroom to work. Create your own office!!

Team A

BROOKBRANDINIKKI

Team B

TaraSamStephanie

Team C

BrandiKendraJosh

Student Roles [Top]

Activity Coordinator-

Responsible for defining “what your group will do”. Researches sites/points of interest/events/food dining. Collaborates with team to choose activities.

Documents to produce:

Specific sections of business letter

Itinerary (3 specific days) and a short summary of the highlights for the remainder of the vacation

Table of Contents

Portion of Reference Log

Memo to the Count describing how your team performed with the WebQuest

Logistics/Financial Coordinator-

Responsible for overall budget cost. Researches to find lodging and transportation options. Determines rate of exchange for foreign currency.

Documents to produce:

Specific sections of business letter

Estimated Expense Report

Portion of Reference Log

Memo to the Count describing how your team performed with the WebQuest

Research/Proposal Coordinator-

Responsible for research of cultural customs/laws/historical facts. Will ensure all portions of the proposal are within requirements of the Count.

Documents to produce:

Specific sections of the business letter

Planning Checklist

Portion of Reference Log

Memo to the Count describing how your team performed with the WebQuest

Title Page

Daily Team Log

The Daily Team Log will serve as a tool to communicate to the “Count” your progress. ONE log will be required to be submitted EACH DAY from EACH team. You will record the progress made with your proposal and evaluate the number of daily points that you should receive according to the rubric found within the “Daily Log.doc” link below. If no team log is submitted for the day---then no individual points will be awarded for any team members. You will view the “Daily Team Log” as your time sheet for work. If you do not punch in or punch out…..you do not get paid….and/or you will not receive daily participation points. What might happen if you do not communicate your progress to your team on a daily basis?

Daily Team Log.doc

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!! DON’T FORGET!!!!

Proposal Content Requirements [Top]

The Count requires the following information within the proposal and will not accept anything less:

(NOTE: refer to rubric in EVALUATION section of the WebQuest)

I.Title Page

Personalized with your team name, individual names, point of destination and date. Use appropriate Page Border

II.Table of Contents

Must contain leader tab settings and right-aligned page numbers.

Vertically align information on the page.

III.3 to 4 page Business letterto the Count (formatted with advanced features):

A.Introductory paragraph explaining why you should be chosen to win his contest and why you are choosing the specific point of destination.

B.Paragraphs concerning the following information:

(NOTE: each section of the business letter must contain a section title that is formatted with appropriate borderor shading).

1.Cultural/Historical Facts about your choice of destination

a)Money—will you be required to exchange currency? If so, what is the rate of exchange? How do you exchange your currency? Where do you exchange currency?
b)Customs/laws you should be aware of in your travel
As a tourist, you do not want to break a law that you are unaware of……
c)Food
Will you try the “local food”? Are there highly recommended restaurants within distance of your lodging quarters? The Count wishes to know about your dining preferences.
Don’t forget to estimate your food costs in your daily expenses.
d)VISA’s, Passports….do you need them? Other documents? Do you have them?
e)Shots, Medical needs prior to traveling….do you need them?

2.Transportation

a)How are you going to get there? Are you flying, boating, motorcycling? What will be your travel schedule? Dates of departure and arrival? Where are leaving from? Going to? With which travel company (American Airlines?, Greyhound?, what’s your choice?) Why is this the best choice for the Count to consider?
b)What time zone will you be traveling to/from?
c)Time in transit—what activities will you plan? book reading? Will you have extensive layovers?
d)How will you “get around” once you arrive? Rental car? Bike? On foot?

3.Lodging

a)Why did you choose this location for your lodging? Why are these locations the best place to stay?
b)What types of incentives or special facilities does this place of lodging offer?
c)Cite within your letter (using left & right indents) information you found in a review or article of your lodging choice. Be careful to use your own wording unless you document the source.

4.Sites/Events/Points of Interest

a)What will you want to see on your vacation? What will you do? The Count is extremely picky here…..just going to the “beach” the entire vacation will NOT win the contest.
b)You must select 4 specific points of interest or events to attend. For example, you may find museums, historical sites/landmarks, guided tours or other cultural events to attend. Explain to the Count why these are of specific interest to you and your guest.
c)What are the cost & fees for entrance to these locations? What are the opening and closing times for these events/points of interest?

5.Other information that you discover in your research that the Count should be aware of in consideration of your proposal.

a)This section will win MAJOR POINTS with the Count. This is where you show him you’ve really invested some research into your proposal and wish to outsmart him and his requirements.

IV.Estimated Expense Report

Must be formatted and organized using tabbed columns in Landscape page orientation

Must include everything you can possibly think of that might become an expense. You are on your own to determine the headings for your columns, but the total expenses should be added and formatted with borders and shading for a professional, attractive, easy read by the Count.

V.Itinerary (see sample in FBLA-PBL guideline handout)

Due to time restraints, the Count requires 3 days of a formal itinerary (1st two days of arrival and another of your choice). An itinerary is a guide to assist in vacation planning. While the Count expects your itinerary to include the high points of your vacation (arrival time, reserved times for tours/events, meal times, departure times), he will allow for gaps in time to allow for sunbathing and relaxation.

VI.Planning Checklist

Formatted using tabbed columns and providing a location within the document for you to manually check off each task as it is completed. You know! To help keep yourself organized! Don’t forget your underwear! This will include items you will need for the vacation and responsibilities that must be taken care of at home while you are away.

VII.Reference Log [Top]

All resources must be listed on the reference log. Keep track as you research using the provided “REFERENCE Log”. You must use a minimum of 10 internet sites to gather your information. You may use MORE if necessary! The Count will be greatly impressed if you find and list sites that are not already provided in this WebQuest!

Site Reference Log.doc

VIII.Team Performance Memos

All team members must write an individual memo to the Count describing your experience with the WebQuest and how you think your team performed. The Count is looking for a true reflection of the “good”, the “bad”, and the “ugly”. Please be honest with your opinion.

Team performance memos will be included in the hard copy of the proposal. The memos should be listed on the Table of Contents.

You will submit a peer evaluation form for each member of your team. Please print the following evaluative form, and submit separate from your

proposal.

Peer Evaluation Form

Another Guideline

You will submit an electronic copy (in addition to your hard copy to the COUNT) consisting of ONE Word document that contains the :

  • Title Page
  • Table of Contents
  • Business Letter
  • Estimated Expense Report
  • Itinerary
  • Planning Checklist

Use Sections and Section Breaks appropriately to format the document with different margins and page orientation—according to guidelines.

Websites [Top]

You may venture on your quest via use of common search engines to find the necessary information for your proposal.

To name a few:

The following links may provide specific information for your proposal.

“Tourism Offices Worldwide”

“Travel tips”

everything from how to get a passport to tipping etiquette

convert your currency

about the “United States of America”

Evaluation [Top]

The Count will use a scoring sheet for each individual proposal. The following link permits you to take a look at what the Count is LOOKING for. Prior to submitting your proposal to the Count, evaluate your own work. Include a copy of your evaluation within your proposal. Remember! Your proposal will be the best!

Evaluation Rubric.doc

Conclusion [Top]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Your WebQuest is complete and you are a master at creating business proposals according to written guidelines. You should be PROUD of your accomplishments and your ability to work in a team atmosphere. Perhaps the Count will hire you as a professional business proposal writer? What salary would you require? Would you create the proposal in the same manner that you created this one….or would you take different measures?

The Count is also open for recommendations to make this WebQuest more clear or challenging. To finalize your WebQuest experience, e-mail the Count a reflective paragraph in which you critique this project. The Count may be contacted at the following web e-mail address .

Teacher Page[Top]

Word Processing must be one of the greatest courses to teach! So much freedom to create projects such as this for students to apply their skills learned in Microsoft Word 2000.

The overall goal of this WebQuest is to create an environment for students to begin from scratch and process professional document(s) according to written guidelines. Examples of real-world scenarios where specific proposals might be written according to guidelines would include grant proposal writing. Students will have opportunity to use critical thinking skills to search, summarize, and compose required information within the documents (business letter, expense report, memos).

The students LOVE the opportunity to “surf” on the Internet to find the necessary information, and many (from my experience) wish to start a savings plan for their vacation after completing the project. Although the details for the proposal are minutely defined (to encourage use of previously obtained formatting options), there is still room for the students to expand the project and illustrate creativity. The following formatting options are required to complete the project according to the “Evaluation Rubric”:

  • Basic file retrieval & storage (site reference log, daily team log)
  • Text formatting
  • Margin/Page Layout options
  • Tab settings (Expense report, Table of Contents, & Planning Checklist) Note: each team member is responsible to complete ONE of the documents requiring tabs.
  • Section breaks
  • Page Numbering, Headers & Footers

The WebQuest also promotes an exciting opportunity for classmates to work in teams and hold one another accountable. The “Daily Team Log” is important to assist in monitoring team progress within the team and for the instructor. An additional teacher observation log might be beneficial to monitor teamwork throughout the 8-day project.

Future enhancements to this WebQuest include a link for teachers to access the FBLA-PBL approved business document handout. Other industry approved format styles may be used in the meantime.

Credits[Top]

WebQuest created by Marissa Conway.

Special appreciation for all tech and morale support provided by Pam Callahan.