WebQuest

The WebQuest model was developed by Bernie Dodge at the San Diego State University in 1995.

A WebQuest is a student-centred, inquiry- based activity that engages the critical thinking and problem solving skills of students as they engage in projects or solve real world problems in their collaborative groups.

In a WebQuest, the web is used as the primary (but not the only) source of information from which students conduct research for their quest.

The WebQuest is an excellent way to get students involved in using various technology tools for communication, collaboration, research, complete projects, create products, etc.

The quest is initiated by a problem/scenario and is complete when the problem is solved and a knowledge artefact is created. This artefact could take several forms and include student-created products eg, a PowerPoint presentation, a game, newsletter, a mock up, etc. The products that are created are determined by the tasks defined and are derived from the instructional objectives.

Main Components of a WebQuest  Title Page  Introduction  Task  Process  Evaluation  Conclusion

The Introduction The purpose of this section is to both prepare and capture the interest of the reader. The student is the intended audience. It sets the stage and provides background information. It provides an overview of what type of question or problem the individual or team may be facing. It is often written as a scenario.

The Task The task describes the activity's end product. The task focuses learners on what they are going to do - specifically, the culminating performance or product that drives all of the learning activities. The task describes what needs to be accomplished in order to finish the WebQuest successfully. It must be doable and interesting. Describe crisply and clearly what the end result of the learners' activities will be. Don't list the steps that students will go through to get to the end point. That belongs in the Process section.

The Process The process explains strategies students should use to complete the task. To accomplish the task, what steps should the learners go through?...Learners will access the on-line resources that you've identified as they go through the Process....In the Process block, you might also provide some guidance on how to organize the information gathered.

The Evaluation This section describes the evaluation criteria needed to meet performance and content standards. It measures the results of the activity. Describe to the learners how their performance will be evaluated. The assessment rubric(s) should align with the culminating project or performance, as outlined in the task section of the WebQuest. Specify whether there will be a common grade for group work vs. individual grades.assessment rubric(s) This is a description of the process the learner goes through in accomplishing the task. It is broken down into clearly described steps. It should provide instruction on how to organize students into teams with each team member taking on a particular role, gathering information on the topic form the perspective of the role they are playing, and reporting in the information gathered to other members of the team.

Conclusion The conclusion sums up the activity and encourages students to reflect on its process and results. The conclusion brings closure to the quest, reminds the learner about what they've learned, and encourages them to extend the experiences into other domains.