Objective:

1
WebQuests An Introduction
Objective Participants will learn how to locate
and use quality WebQuests in their classrooms.
Diane Mentzer Bester Elementary
2
What are WebQuests?

• A webquest is an interactive learning activity
  but it has three key elements that make it
  different from just searching for knowledge.
• 1. There is a problem to be solved.
• 2. Information about the problem is gathered from
  the web by a group, all of whom have different
  roles based on those who would have different
  vested interests in the solution - eg a land
  planning issue might have the developer, the
  local council, the residents' organisation and
  the environmentalist as roles.
• 3. The solution to the problem is reached through
  negotiation and agreement of all the parties.
• - or -

3

• WebQuests A strategy for scaffolding higher
  level learning
•  - or -
• Definition
• inquiry oriented, based on a do-able, engaging
  task, uses pre-defined resources from the Web
  (and others) can be short or long term
•  

4

• A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format
  in which most or all the information that
  learners work with comes from the web. The model
  was developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State
  University in February, 1995 with early input
  from SDSU/Pacific Bell Fellow Tom March, the
  Educational Technology staff at San Diego Unified
  School District, and waves of participants each
  summer at the Teach the Teachers Consortium.

5
Why use Web Quests?

• WebQuests challenge students to explore the web
  for information.
• A well designed Web Quest emphasizes a synthesis
  of basic skills, thinking skills, and personal
  qualities.
• WebQuests are a very popular method for
  integrating curriculum with technology.
• WebQuests tend to require higher order thinking
  skills.

6
WebQuests vs Regular Research

• Webquests are much more focused than normal
  internet search research assignments
• Webquests require more teacher setup, but it
  provides a much more effective use of classroom
  time.
• There are some advantages of open-ended
  research, but if you want more depth and specific
  information webquests are better.
• Web Quests help the teacher manage where the
  students go, keeps them on task, and allows them
  to get results without wondering around the
  internet or wading through thousands of hits from
  a search engine.

7
Locate or Write a WebQuest?

• There are a lot of WebQuests available on the
  internet. All you need to do is search.
• If you want to use a webquest someone else
  created you may need to adapt it to your needs or
  requirements.

8

• If you want to create a webquest there are a lot
  of resources to help you.
• There are webquests about making webquests.
• There are planning sheets and templates available
  too.
• You either need to upload the completed webquest
  to the internet or your school server so the
  students can use it.

9

• If you use a webquest created by someone else be
  sure to check the links.
• Links get outdated quickly and easily
• Links may be blocked by the WCPS filter. If the
  website is blocked you can print the information
  at home for the students or locate an alternative
  website that contains the same or similar
  information.

10
Best Places to Search

• Google (803,000 for webquests)
• Search Webquests.org - http//webquest.org/search/
  - This database is kept up to date and weeded
  out when a link goes bad (as volunteer time
  permits). As of this writing, the database
  contains over 2500 WebQuests. You can search for
  any string of characters in the Title,
  Description, Author name or URL.
• Look at Collections of Webquests
  -http//www.spa3.k12.sc.us/WebQuests.html

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• NetTrekker - ( 1-8 of 150 )
• WebQuests designed by education students
• Lousiana State University -http//asterix.ednet.ls
  u.edu/edtech/webquest/
• UMD education majors http//www.education.umd.ed
  u/Depts/EDCI/edci385/webquests3/webquests301.html
• WebQuest Collections by Individuals/Districts and
  Schools
• http//www.siue.edu/jandris/north/quest97.html

12
Places to Create Your Own WebQuests

• 1,2,3 WebQuest for free - http//www.aula21.net/Wq
  facil/webeng.htm
• Quest Garden - http//questgarden.com/index.php
  (costs to join - 20 for 2 years, does offer a
  free 30 day trial)
• Webquest planning sheet - word document

13

• If you have any questions or need help feel free
  to contact me at mentzdia_at_wcboe.k12.md.us
• - or
• techmom_at_comcast.net