WHAT IS A WEBQUEST?
- a lesson or unity format
- an inquiry oriented activity
- based on a doable, engaging task
- requires learner to transform information
- integrates predefined resources from the Web
- can be short term (a couple of hours) or long term (a full semester);
usually two to three weeks
WHY WEBQUEST?
- process relevant information
- work together
- solve problems
- be creative
WHAT SHOULD BE ON THE SCREENS?
- timely, authentic information
- clearly defined and authentic tasks
- problems that involve creativity
- ambiguity that invites clarification
ELEMENTS OF GREAT WEBQUESTS:
- "Real World" Tasks
- Roles: multiple perspectives
- Promotes teamwork and collaboration
- Quality resources: less is more!
- Rubrics: clear expectations
Building
Blocks of a WebQuest is a site where we can examine the five steps
(building blocks) of WebQuest design:
- Intro: engaging, clear, concise
- Task: one central, culminating focus
- Process: step-by-step with lots of "scaffolding"
- Resources: These are now build in to the other five steps.
- Evaluation: hard to produce but important for clarity and motivation
- Conclusion: important for a sense of closure
There are quite a few styles for creating WebQuests. In order to choose a
style that best fits your class visit the Taskonomy
of a WebQuest site.
The rest of this morning will be devoted to exploring several
WebQuest Projects which already exist.
Homework- Before we meet again, I would like you to think about a topic
for your WebQuest. Keep these things in mind when making your selection.
- Consider and include curriculum standards.
- Avoid approaching both new content AND the new challenges of the WebQuest
format at the same time. This is your first time. Start with content you're
comfortable with.
- Make good use of the Web: changing, current, raw material.
- Go beyond comprehension; ensure that students transform the knowledge
somehow.
A good source for helping you choose a topic is
Selecting a WebQuest Project .