WebQuests

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WebQuests
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Why WebQuests?

• Originated with Dr. Bernie Dodge in 1995.
• Based on the concern that K-12 students spent far
  too much time searching the web, and not enough
  time thinking about, or thinking with, what they
  find.
• WebQuest
• specific kind of web page
• usually built by a teacher
• design focuses on helping students use particular
  web-based (or other) materials as resources
• for problem-solving
• Enormously popular!

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Parts of a WebQuest

• Introduction
• The hook, often a fictional scenario or cover
  story
• Task
• What do students need to do (produce)? Often
  involves playing a specific role in a life-like
  scenario
• Process
• Guidance on how to approach the task, with
  pointers to necessary resources and (sometimes)
  advice or hints on how to organize and think
  about these
• Evaluation
• How will students performance on the task be
  evaluated?
• Conclusion
• Helps students understand what they have
  accomplished and how it might be extended

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WebQuest Resources

• WebQuest building blocks and examples
  http//projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/building
  blocks/p-index.htm
• Create a task rubric http//webquest.sdsu.edu/rubr
  ics/rubrics.html
• Reading and training materials http//webquest.sds
  u.edu/materials.htm

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WebQuest Activity Groups

• Divide into Groups 3-4 people per group
• Elementary
• Grades 6-8
• Grades 6-12
• HS Math/Science

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Activity Instructions

• Go to http//webquest.sdsu.edu/materials.htm
• Under A WebQuest about WebQuests, select
  Elementary or Middle and High School
  depending on your group.
• Take 10 minutes to read the instructions and
  organize your group
• Individually, spend up to 7 minutes on each site
  to complete your worksheet (35 minutes max.)
• Regroup and answer the questions as a group. Make
  sure you have someone recording and ready to
  report out (25 minutes max. Let David know when
  youre done)
• Larger group discussion