Web Quests

About WebQuests A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web Inquiry-oriented Based on a doable, engaging task Uses pre-defined resources from the Web (and others) Can be short or long term

Parts of a WebQuest Introduction Task Process with resource links Evaluation Conclusion

Examples For more check http://eduscapes.com/ladders/themes/w4.htm Fairy Tales http://www-ma.beth.k12.pa.us/jhoke/jhwebquest/jhwebquest.htm Lord of the Flies http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/lhs/teach/webq/lmasterjohnlord/index.html http://questgarden.com/16/50/2/060222203248/index.htm The Grapes of Wrath http://questgarden.com/46/66/8/070214095132/ Greek Mythology http://questgarden.com/45/47/9/070105194800/process.htm Shakespeare http://questgarden.com/10/81/0/070107150712/index.htm For more check http://eduscapes.com/ladders/themes/w4.htm

Steps to designing a WebQuest Step 1: Select a topic So, when choosing a webquest topic choose a topic that requires deep understanding, a topic that draws on creativity, require synthesis, analysis or judgment and which pose problems with multiple solutions, can have multiple interpretations or be seen from multiple perspectives.

Authentic Constructivist Tasks Make decisions on some issue WebQuest Tasks Step 2: Choose a task Webquest tasks are focused on developing higher order thinking skills in students. So choose a task based on an authentic constructivist activity. Authentic Constructivist Tasks Make decisions on some issue Retelling Predict outcomes Create something Design something Analyse a situation

WebQuest Tasks Retelling - easiest type of webquest - students absorb info then demonstrate that they’ve understood it - provides a good intro to the use of the web as an information source - students generate reports, presentations, posters etc. http://www.dedham.k12.ma.us/webquest/spring2002/lw/butterfly_webquest.htm#Introduction http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/grant/oceanpollution/index.html

WebQuest Tasks Compiling - students pull information from numerous sources and transforms this info by putting it into a new format. - E.g. compile a recipe book, dictionary, flash cards etc. - students learn to organise, chunk, and paraphrase info from a variety of sources. E.g. a webquest on diabetes where students have to take the information gained to develop a cookbook of healthy recipes they have developed themselves. Or Learning about types of leaves and developing a deck of cards identifying leaves in Trinidad

WebQuest Tasks Designing - students create a product or plan of action that accomplishes a pre-determined goal and works within specified constraints E.g. Designing a mini dreamhouse to teach mathematics http://www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=66291

WebQuest Tasks Decision making Analysing Predicting Creating More examples http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/king/investigatingacrime/ http://www-ma.beth.k12.pa.us/jhoke/jhwebquest/jhwebquest.htm

Theoretical Underpinnings Constructivism - compelling problem or task - create something new Cooperative Learning - working in groups Scaffolding - resource links - templates - guidance Fading

Steps to designing a webquest Step 3: Start planning your webquest Write the introduction Write up the task Gather the resources Design the process Design or source evaluation rubrics

Introduction Should orient the learner as to what is coming Should raise some interest in the learner through a variety of means

Task A description of what the learner will have done at the end of the exercise Could be a product or a verbal presentation

The Process Clearly described steps lets the learners know the process to go through to accomplish the task Can also provide learning advice

Information Sources A list of web pages which the instructor has located that will help the learner accomplish the task All resources may not be used by all

Evaluation Need to be able to measure results Develop an evaluation rubric

Conclusion Bring closure to the quest Remind the learners about what they’ve learned Encourage them to extend the experience into other domains

Design Steps for Teachers Become familiar with resources online in your content area Organize the resources into categories Identify topics that fit in with the curriculum and which there are materials online Clearly link the Web Quest to previous and subsequent activities

Why WebQuests? WebQuests bring together the most effective instructional practices into one integrated student activity student motivation thinking skills cooperative learning

Motivation WebQuests use a central question that honestly needs answering Students are given real resources to work with Information can be posted for feedback

Thinking Skills WebQuests include questions that prompt higher level thinking Students must transform information WebQuests use “scaffolding”

Corporative Learning Students take on a role in the group Not realistic that everyone learn all Students develop expertise which is valued by the group

Online Resources http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic4.htm http://eduscapes.com/ladders/themes/webquests.htm http://webquest.org/index.php http://bestwebquests.com/default.asp