I' All about WebQuests

1
WebQuests
2
What are we going to do?

• Define a WebQuest
• Look at some samples
• Decide if it is good for us to use a WebQuest
• Learn how to make one
• Locate sites on the Web to help us
• Find out where we can go to make one

3
What is a WebQuest?
4
A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in
which most or all of the information used by
learners is drawn from the Web.
5
It is a thematic unit done on the WWW.

• You can probably adapt an old lesson or unit you
  already have in your files.

6
What does a WebQuest look like?

• Donna's Civil War Web site
• MaryLea's Special site
• The Holy Land WebQuest
• The Cold War Museum
• The Renaissance WebQuest
• Studying the Background of Arthur Millers The
  Crucible.

7
WebQuests are designed to

• Use learners' time profitably
• Focus on using information rather than looking
  for it
• Support learners' thinking at the levels of
  analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

8
Where can I find some already made?

• The WebQuest Page at SDSU
• Use Google and type Webquest Civil War or
  whatever.
• Example Civil War Personal Journal

9
How long and what kind should it be?

• Can be a short range - 1 or 2 classes
• Can be a long range 1 week, a month or more
• Can be one subject or multi-disciplinary
• Can be collaborative

10
The model was developed in early 1995 at San
Diego State University by Bernie Dodge and Tom
March.
The Web Quest Site at SDSU
11
Why a WebQuest?

• Utilizes and improves Computer skills
• A Quest can be accessed at any computer that has
  a connection to WWW
• Teacher chooses the links
• Students stay on task
• Allows students to work in a medium which may be
  their forte

12
Why a WebQuest? Continued

• Can be used year after year if maintained
  properly
• Can be shared by teachers in the school or all
  over the world
• The resources that you use are more current than
  print resources.

13
Why a WebQuest?

• Uses a lot of neat educational buzz words

Deductive Reasoning
Scaffolding
Higher Level Thinking Skills
Project-based
Collaborative
Knowledgeacquisition andintegration
Multiple Intelligences
Interactive
14
Where do I start?

• Start with what you already know or have or have
  available
• No sense in reinventing the wheel

15
Visit the "The WebQuest Page" by Bernie Dodge at
the San Diego State University
The WebQuest site

• Templates for students and teachers
• Rubrics
• Examples and everything else

16
The Parts of a Web Quest

• Introduction
• Task
• Resources
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion

17
Write the Introduction

• Directed to student
• Short paragraph should be motivating
• Can be a simulation or role playing

18
The Task can be a

• problem or mystery
• position to be defended
• product to be designed
• complexity to be analyzed
• personal insight to be articulated

19
The task can be (continued)

• a summary to be created
• persuasive message or journalistic account to be
  crafted
• a creative work
• anything that requires the learner to process and
  transform the new information

20
Resources to use

• Addresses to sites on the Web
• Choosing sites is tedious, but most important
• Any other resource in the room or wherever

21
The Process

• Simple step by simple step
• Remember address it to the student
• Include advice on doing tasks
• ex Make a flow chart...
• Don't forget to...

22
Evaluation

• Describes to students how they will be evaluated.
• Grading policy individual, group?
• Criteria for grades
• Use the student Rubric from the "WebQuest Page"

23
The Conclusion

• Tells students what they will have accomplished
  or learned
• Could have some rhetorical questions to keep the
  process of discovery alive
• Should have additional links

24
Where to Go

• Learn about WebQuests and find good examples
• http//webquest.sdsu.edu/
• Create a WebQuest and post it for FREE!
• http//www.instantprojects.org/webquest/

25
Summary Slide

• Creating a Web Quest
• What is a WebQuest?
• A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in
  which most or all of the information used by
  learners is drawn from the Web.
• It is a thematic unit done on the WWW.
• WebQuests are designed to

26
Summary Slide (cont.)

• The model was developed in early 1995 at San
  Diego State University by Bernie Dodge and Tom
  March.
• Why a WebQuest
• Continued
• Where do I start?
• Visit the "The WebQuest Page" by Bernie Dodge at
  the San Diego State University

27
Summary Slide (cont.)

• Use a familiar unit or lesson
• Write the Introduction
• The Task can be a
• The task can be (continued)
• Resources to use
• The Process
• Evaluation
• The Conclusion

28
Thank you!