Designing a WebQuest Created by Bernie Dodge San Diego State University

Definition of a WebQuest n Inquiry-oriented activity n some or all of the information comes from students interacting with the Web This is going to be FUN!

Two Types of WebQuests n Short term –completed in one to three class periods n Longer term –designed to take between one week and one month

Short-term WebQuests n Goal is knowledge acquisition and integration n Learner gets big amounts of new information and makes sense of it.

Longer Term WebQuests n Goal is Extending and Refining Knowledge n Learner –analyzes a body of knowledge –tranforms it –shows understanding by presenting it in some new way

Building Blocks for a WebQuest 4 Introduction 4 Task 4 Process 4 Resources 4 Evaluation 4 Conclusion

Non-critical Attributes n Most likely a group activity n Can include role-playing for learners n Can be single discipline or interdisciplinary n Can be assigned as homework

Introduction n Prepares and hooks the reader n Communicates the “Big Question” the WebQuest is about n Describes the scenario n About one or two paragraphs long n Provides an advanced organizer or overview n Immigration Today Immigration Today

The Task n Clearly describes what the end result of the learners’ activities will be. n Could include –Problem or mystery to be solved –Position to be formulated or defended –Product to be designed –Personal insight to be articulated –Persuasive message or journalistic account –A creative work n Gator Gazette WebQuest Gator Gazette WebQuest

The Process n Clearly describes learners’ steps n Provides guidance on how to organize the information gathered. –Flow charts, tables –checklist of questions –links n Vietnam Mural Vietnam Mural

Resources n List of Web pages the instructor has located that will help the learner accomplish his/her task n Can be Web or non-Web n All resources may not be used by all n Civil War Gazette Civil War Gazette

Evaluation n Describes how learners performance will be evaluated –summarizes your criteria –can link to a separate rubric –common grade or group grade n Authentic evaluation n Gator Gazette WebQuest Gator Gazette WebQuest

The Conclusion n Summarizes what learners’ will have to accomplish n Includes open-ended questions n Adds links for further investigation and discussion n The 1960’s Museum The 1960’s Museum

To Publish or NOT to Publish That is the Question!

To Publish (on Web) n Can share with the world community n Expands the student learning environment n Can be more interactive

Not to Publish n Can create a Quest with software or print material from your classroom or HTML n No need to learn Web software