WebQuests

By Phil Brabbs

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 2

If it’s so amazing, why aren’t we all using the

Internet in class?

Shortage of computers

Technical problems Having access to the Internet is not the same as knowing how to use it to teach English

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 3

PROJECT WORK

Standard tool for English teachers

Students need to collect information

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 4

THE INTERNET AND PROJECT WORK

ADVANTAGES

Fantastic source of information

English is one of the main languages of the Internet

PROBLEM

Like looking for a needle in a haystack

Students should spend time using information, not looking

for it

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 5

WHAT IS A WEBQUEST?

A project which uses the Internet as its main

source of information

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 6

EXAMPLE OF A WEBQUEST

Written by Cynthia Matzat

http://www.thematzats.com/propaganda/

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor

A WebQuest on Propaganda

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 7

IMPORTANT FEATURES (1)

Introduction - captures students’ interest

Task - describes end product Process (including resources) -

describes what students should do and provides websites

Evaluation - explains how the work will be evaluated

Conclusion - sums up the activity

Standard building blocks:

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 8

IMPORTANT FEATURES (2)

Motivating task - creativity, individual choice, interpretation

Teacher supplies websites - students don’t waste time searching

Higher level thinking skills - analysing, synthesizing, evaluating

Cooperative work Scaffolding - guidance

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 9

EXAMPLES OF WEBQUESTSChoose ONE of the following: Our Vacation to France! by Lee

Go to the WebQuest matrix page. Chooose a number and then a WebQuest (“And now a word from our sponsors” is in English Language/Arts 6-8)

See also Australian WebQuests, etc

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 10

WEBQUESTS- AVANTAGES

Opens up the possible range of projects

Information on Internet includes text, pictures, audio and video

Lots of example WebQuests available Lots of help on the Web

TemplatesDifferent task typesAdvice on search engines

Motivating for many students

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 11

PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES

Access to the Internet Computer literacy (student and

teacher) US bias of WebQuest materials Technical problems – broadband

and plugins

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 12

Could you use webquests in your context? Why/why not?

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 13

?

Questions

?

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 14

THANK YOU!

© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002http://www.volny.cz/brabbs/

Finished!