WEBQUESTS

What is a WebQuest?

A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet.

Types Short Term: it's designed to be

completed in one to three class periods. The instructional goal is knowledge acquisition and integration

Long Term: It will typically take between one week and a month in classroom setting. The goal is extending and refining knowledge

Putting a WebQuest together is not much different from creating any kind of lesson.

It requires:

*Getting your learners oriented

*Giving them an interesting and doable task

*Giving them the resources they need and guidance to complete the task

*Telling them how they'll be evaluated

Building Parts of a WebQuest

> Introduction

> Task

> Process

> Resources

> Evaluation

> Conclusion

Introduction

Sets the stage and provides some background information. In the introduction section the purpose is to both prepare and hook the reader.

Introduction ExampleTOPIC: HURRICANES

Hurricanes are a constant threat to the lives and well being of those people who live along the coast.

In September of 1999, Hurricane Floyd struck the eastern coast of the United States. Lives were lost, homes were destroyed, and many people are still awaiting financial aid to help them rebuild their lives.

Task

The task focuses learners on what they are going to do - specifically, the culminating performance or product that drives all of the learning activities.

Task Example

CNN has just hired you to create a 60 minute news special report on Hurricane Floyd. This news special will be aired by all major networks in August to help viewers prepare for the current hurricane season.

To complete this task, you will each assume the roles of a National Weather Service Research person. You will work together to create a presentation in which you will share your knowledge of hurricanes and help viewers be prepared.

Process

The process section outlines how the learners will accomplish the task. Scaffolding includes clear steps, resources, and tools for organizing information.

Process Example

The following are links of Internet resources available to help you complete this project. In addition to the Internet links.

USA TODAY WEATHER

NOAA - NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

THE HURRICANE HUNTERS

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HURRICANE PAGE

The Weather Channel

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER

FEMA STORM WATCH

HURRICANE FLOYD TRACKING MAP

FEMA FOR KIDS: HURRICANES

Evaluation

The evaluation section describes the evaluation criteria needed to meet performance and content standards.

Evaluation Example

A= 21-24 points B= 16-20 points C= 11-15 points D= 6-10 points

Conclusion

The conclusion brings closure and encourages reflection.

Conclusion Example

There are several benefits I hope you will obtain from this webquest project. I hope you gain a knowledge of hurricanes and understand the steps to take in order to be safe during these storms.

The second benefit I hope you receive is a better working knowledge of using the Internet as a research tool. Lastly, I hope you will be more able and willing to work collaboratively in a group while utilizing your problem solving skills.

Some thoughts about WebQuests

Additional Features:

Group activity (related to the notion of collaboration and developing meta-cognitive strategies leading to learner autonomy)

Motivational elements such as role play

Single discipline or multidisciplinary

The Learning Power of WebQuests

Some of the learning strategies WebQuests cater to are:

A scaffolded learning strategy

Use of essential Internet resources

Authentic tasks that motivate

Open-ended questions

Individual expertise

Transformative group process

Integrating WebQuests into Classwork

The most important factor related to student learning and technology use is how teachers relate the technology-based activity to other learning activities, in this case linking the

WebQuest to previous and subsequent activities.

How could you achieve this with the WebQuest we have just done?