Adapting Existing WebQuests

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• Adapting Existing WebQuests
• Choose a standard or topic
• Search for existing webquests
• Determine if you can use one as is
• If you can use one and get the authors
  permission, skip the next seven steps.
• http//webquest.sdsu.edu/adapting/index.html

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• Adapting Existing WebQuests
• Select those with high potential
• Identify Changes Needed
• Get Author Permission
• Download the WebQuest
• Modify and Enhance
• Evaluate and Revise as Needed
• Publish and Share
• http//webquest.sdsu.edu/adapting/index.html

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Tasks vs. Process The task is the single most
important part of a WebQuest. It provides a goal
and focus for student energies and it makes
concrete the curricular intentions of the
designer. A well designed task is doable and
engaging, and elicits thinking in learners that
goes beyond rote comprehension. -from Web Quest
Taxonomy The task focuses learners on what
they are going to do - specifically, the
culminating performance or product that drives
all of the learning activities. - from Building
Blocks of a WebQuest
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Tasks vs. Process The process section is
where you explain to the learners exactly what
they are supposed to do when. It is also where
you direct them to specific resources to examine
at each point in the project and where you
provide links to help files, graphic organizers,
templates, and other forms of scaffolding. -
from Web Quest Taxonomy The process outlines
how the learners will accomplish the task.
Scaffolding includes clear steps, resources, and
tools for organizing information. - from
Building Blocks of a WebQuest
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Exploring WebQuests Start with the Taskonomy
site Explore WebQuests based on
Literature Explore Literature-based WebQuests
These three links are on your browsers
favorites bar.
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Create Your Own Create a MS Word
document. Write the task section (minimum of
one well-defined task.) Write the process
section (locate a minimum of two web
resources.) Save on the desktop. Email as an
attachment to yourself via the bbs.
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• Create Your Own
• Refer to Five Criteria for Evaluating Websites
  (handout)
• Search using
• Internet Public Library
• Librarians Index to the Internet
• Kidsclick
• These three links are on the browsers favorites
  toollbar.

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Technical Tidbits Tutorials for Netscape
Composer are on Atomic Learning. Netscape
Navigator is a free download. Ask your ITF or
webmaster for help. Convert Word document to
html. Adapting Existing WebQuests with Netscape.
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Technical Tidbits You do not necessarily have
to publish to the web. Documents in html format
will be read by the browser on the student
machines. Could burn webquest on CD ROM and load
onto student computers. All links to the web will
work.
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Creating Original WebQuests This is an example
of a WebQuest developed by a Fruitville
Elementary teacher. SPACE, The New
Frontier Original Word document Supporting
document
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Personal Reflections WebQuests engage the
learner. Beware of going over the top with the
planning. You need to teach technology skills to
the children along the way or work in conjunction
with your ITF. (example bookmarking sites,
collecting information for citing references, to
name a few.) Expect a few technical glitches
along the way.