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WebQuests

Page history last edited by Sue Summerford 6 mos ago

WebQuests

 

WebQuest presents students with a challenging task, scenario, or problem to solve. It's not just about "surfing the web to find stuff" or even using websites to answer simple questions. It's a much more complex process. Students begin by learning some common background knowledge. Then they divide into groups and assume various roles that relate to the issue. Each student or group of students has a particular role, task, or perspective to master. They effectively become experts on that one aspect of a topic. Students complete a WebQuest by creating a unique summarizing project or activity of some sort.

 

Bernie Dodge, San Diego State University, has created a wealth of resources to help you design an appropriate task. See A Taxonomy of WebQuests Tasks or WebQuest Task Design Worksheet or WebQuest Design Patterns for ideas. There is even a graphic that identifies most of the webquest tasks and provides a quick visual overview of possibilities.

It's best to choose topics that are under dispute or that at least offer a couple different perspectives. Current events, controversial social and environmental topics work well. WebQuests are considered projects according to our "Quick Definition of Application Types" because the goals and outcomes are broad and activity duration can be long-term.

 

Each webquest consists of several parts:

  1. Introduction: sets the stage, provides background info
  2. Task: end result of the learners' activities
  3. Resources: sites where students will get factual information
  4. Process: steps learners should take to complete task, guidance on how to organize their information
  5. Conclusion: brings closure, reinforces what they have learned
  6. Evaluation: how their performance will be evaluated

                                                                               (from Filamentality's WebQuest Teacher Guide)

 

Critical Attributes of a Real WebQuest:

  • Is wrapped around a doable and interesting task that is ideally a scaled down version of things that adults do as citizens or workers.
  • Requires higher level thinking, not simply summarizing. This includes synthesis, analysis, problem-solving, creativity and judgment.
  • Makes good use of the web. A WebQuest that isn't based on real resources from the web is probably just a traditional lesson in disguise. (Of course, books and other media can be used within a WebQuest, but if the web isn't at the heart of the lesson, it's not a WebQuest.)
  • Isn't a research report or a step-by-step science or math procedure. Having learners simply distilling web sites and making a presentation about them isn't enough.
  • Isn't just a series of web-based experiences. Having learners go look at this page, then go play this game, then go here and turn your name into hieroglyphs doesn't require higher level thinking skills and so, by definition, isn't a WebQuest.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT WEBQUESTS . . .

What is a WebQuest?  Here are some great resources to get you started.  Be sure to pay attention to the video clips!  

 

Where to Start - The WebQuest Page  Click on "Find WebQuests" to see some examples.  The Curriculum X Grade Level Matrix allows you to focus on specific areas. 

  • The WebQuest Page - This is the mother lode of all WebQuest information. Make this your own professional development project!

 

Rubrics for WebQuests

 

Scaffolding

  • Scaffolding: Process Guides for Students - guides to processes that allow students to become more efficient - includes brainstorming, building consensus, evaluating web page content, using primary source documents, viewing a photograph, and interview techniques

 

Creating Your Own WebQuest -

  • WebQuest Portal - visit "QuestGarden" to set up your own WebQuest using their template or to see some of the 14,000+ other recently created WebQuests (since 2004)! Or explore some of the other recommended sites for hosting/creating a WebQuests online.  One option:  create a wikispace.  See how Carma Roesch followed a simple pattern to create this webquest on Information Literacy - this could easily be done in a wiki space!   
  • Use Filamentality's template to create a simple webquest online.

 

WebQuest Resources - More Examples

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