WebQuests

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WebQuests
Promoting Engaged Learning Online

• http//webquest.sdsu.edu/

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Definition

• A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in
  which most or all of the information used by
  learners is drawn from the Web.
• WebQuests are designed to use learners' time
  well, to focus on using information rather than
  looking for it, and to support learners' thinking
  at the levels of analysis, synthesis and
  evaluation.

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Why WebQuests?

• WebQuests bring together the most effective
  instructional practices into one integrated
  student activity
• WebQuests for Learning by Tom March
• http//www.ozline.com/webquests/intro.html

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Types of WebQuests

• Short-term
• A week or less in duration
• Instructional goal is knowledge acquisition and
  integration
• Student deals with a significant amount of new
  information and makes sense of it
• Long-term
• A week or more in duration
• Instructional goal is extending and refining
  knowledge
• Students analyze a body of knowledge, transform
  it, and demonstrate understanding by presenting
  it in some way

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Critical Attributes

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

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Critical Attribute 1Introduction

• Sets the stage and provides some background
  information
• Orients the student as to what is coming
• Raises some interest in the learner

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Critical Attribute 2 Task

• Describes what the student will have done at the
  end of the exercise
• Could be a product or a verbal presentation
• Should be doable and interesting

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Critical Attribute 3 Process

• Lets the students know the process to follow to
  accomplish the task
• Written in clearly described steps
• Can also provide learning advice

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Critical Attribute 4 Resources

• A list of websites which the instructor has
  located that will help the student accomplish the
  task
• May also include resources not found on the
  Internet
• Since resources are included, the learner is not
  left to wander through webspace completely adrift

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Critical Attribute 5 Evaluation

• Used to measure results
• Rubrics designed by the teacher are the most
  authentic

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Critical Attribute 6 Conclusion

• Brings closure to the activity
• Reminds students about what they have just
  learned
• Encourages them to extend their knowledge and
  experience into other domains

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A WebQuest on WebQuests

• http//people.ku.edu/cgerdes/web/webquest_package
  d/webquest.html
• Examples
• Top
• Middling
• New
• Grade/Level
• Subject/Topic

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Design Steps for Teachers

• Become familiar with online resources in your
  content area
• Identify topics in your curriculum that would
  work well as WebQuests
• Clearly link the WebQuest to previous and
  subsequent activities

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How To

• Templates
• http//webquest.sdsu.edu/LessonTemplate.html
• Resources
• http//webquest.sdsu.edu/materials.htm
• News, Articles, Forums
• http//webquest.org/
• Rubric Example
• http//edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquestrubric.html