Let`s go on Vacation!

A WebQuest

Introduction

This summer, you can't wait to go on vacation! You and your family are so excited you can hardly wait! But, as you and your brother are going out one day, you spot a note on the refrigerator. You go to read the note...

The Task

Kids:Your father and I had to leave unexpectedly for a business trip. This has left us with no time to plan our family vacation. Based on our family talks, we have narrowed the cities down to three choices: New York City, New York; San Diego, California; and Orlando, Florida. We have decided to leave the final location up to you.It is important for you to consider the following information as you make your decision. We are looking for the lowest possible airfares, hotels, and car rentals. Also, we want you to compare cost and time of driving our car to the respective city versus flying and renting a carWorking as a group, you need to research information about each of the three cities using the three Web sites provided. Use the spreadsheet provided to record your findings about each category to help you compare the three cities.In order to convince us, you must prepare a travel brochure for the city you choose to have the best value. In each brochure you must highlight the major attractions, and include the information you found on driving, airfare, hotel, and car rental costs. Remember to make your brochure colorful and attractive.Good luck! We know that this is a big responsibility, but we know you can do it. Some important information to remember:We will be leaving from Richmond International Airport. We will depart January 20th, 2012, a.m. or p.m. We will arrive back January 30th, 2012, a.m. or p.m. Remember that your Father and I are counted as adults, and you two are counted as children. Remember the three cities you will be exploring:Orlando, Florida San Diego, CaliforniaNew York City, New York

Resources

Expedia Yahoo! Travel Orbitz

New York Orlando San Diego

The Process

1. Split into groups of four. 2. Choose between driving and flying and renting a car and add that

cost to the cost of staying in a hotel room for the week. Remember, we only want the lowest prices of airfare, car rental, and hotel accommodation.

3. Record all the information gathered on the Comparison Chart 4. Prepare a list of the following: attractions, sporting events, theme

parks, tours, theaters, monuments, museums, parks, restaurants, and other features of the cities. You will include the costs of the activity . Choose at least five of these attractions to include in your brochure.

5. Organize the information you have found on the Trip Planner Worksheet

6. As a group, work together and evaluate the information you have gathered on the Comparison Chart and the Trip Planner Worksheet.

7. Choose a city and create a brochure for it including information and prices of travel and accommodation and attractions. Make sure the brochure is colorful and has pictures of the city and its attractions.

Evaluation

Objective Poor 1

Average 2

Very Good 3

Excellent 4

Score

You will complete chart detailing prices.(Individual)

Student has found some prices, and has partially filled in table.

Student has completed table, but failed to compare data.

Student has completed chart, compared the prices of each category, and found the

lowest fares.

Student has completed chart, compared prices, and has added their own city.

You will create a list of entertainment possibilities within each city.

(Individual)  

Student has found little information, and is still in the

process forming a list.

Student has found some information, and has listed a few entertainment possibilities

within each city.

Student has listed at least five places of entertainment for each possible category of

attractions.

Student has stated attractions clearly, developed a thorough list of ten or more

places of entertainment for each category of attractions.

You will develop a brochure on each of the three cities, including the travel costs

and attraction possibilities.(Group)

 

Students have not compared data and brochures are

incomplete.

Students have compared data, but have made an ill-informed decision about the

most cost-effective vacation city. The three brochures have not been completed.

Students have compared data and attractions, and have developed colorful and attractive brochures for all three cities. They make a well-informed decision to minimize

vacation expenses.

Students have made an informed decision using all of their data, and have added a fourth brochure on an additional

destination.

You will be evaluated on an individual and group basis. Individually, you will be graded on how well you completed your role in the group project. As a group, you will be evaluated based on how well your group has analyzed and combined the information you have gathered.**Remember! Each group member is responsible for completing their job. If one person does not finish their tasks, this will affect the grade of all members of the group.

Conclusion

Way to go! You were given a task to accomplish and you have succeeded. You should have learned how to search the Web sites to find exactly what you were looking for. You should have learned how to use a spreadsheet to compare results. Also, you have learned how to navigate sites to pick out important information and translated this information into a descriptive brochure. Finally, you have learned how to compare three different possibilities, along with their costs and advantages, and make a decision based on what you have found.

Comparison Chart

San Diego Orlando New York

Air Fare

Car Rental

Hotel

Total Cost

Trip Planner Worksheet

CITY:_______

name cost description

ATTRACT 1

ATTRACT 2

ATTRACT 3

ATTRACT 4

ATTRACT 5