1. Web Quests

2. 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

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

4. Examples For more check http://eduscapes.com/ladders/themes/w4.htm
Fairy Tales
Lord of the Flies
The Grapes of Wrath
Greek Mythology
Shakespeare
For more check

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. WebQuest Tasks Decision making Analysing Predicting Creating
More examples

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

12. 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

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

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

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

16. 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

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

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

19. 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

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

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

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

23. 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

24. Online Resources http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic4.htm