Using Webquests in the Classroom Webquest Introduction for Teachers Nancy Caramanico July, 2005
Webquests Defined Uses Internet resources to meet curricular goals and is inquiry oriented. May be short term or long term. Often are interdisciplinary. Designed to use cooperative learning and/or inquiry based learning. Supports learner thinking at analysis, synthesis and evaluation levels. Blooms Taxonomy of tasks is supported. Created by Bernie Dodge of San Diego State University Online resources abound for teachers and students
Advantages Excellent resources online –Webquests can be adapted –Created for every subject area and grade –Use of critical thinking skills –Cooperative learning/Group work Real World/teams
Webquest Format I ntroduction -Sets the stage and offers information about the goals Task -Defines the task in a way that is interesting and attainable. Tell the learner what final product is expected of them. Process- Gives the students a set of logical steps that they should go through in order to complete the task Resources/Information Sources -Websites and other resources-Details the resources that students will be using whether Internet, books or periodicals. Excellent web resources are linked to the Webquest itself. Evaluation -Guiding questions, rubrics and evaluation rubrics Conclusion -Summarizes what has been learned and offers ways to extend their learning
Types of Tasks Examples of Tasks Comparing Classifying Inducing Deducing Analyzing Errors Constructing Support Abstraction Analyzing Perspectives
Several Examples Fifty States Webquest Author Webquest Math Base ball Webquest htm#Task Tiered Webquest/Integrated
3 Ways to Incorporate Webquests 1.Use existing quests found at 2.Adapt existing quests 3.Create your own using templates and guidelines. Download templates and edit with Microsoft Word
QuestGarden A new development in making Webquests was discussed by Bernie Dodge at the NECC conference in June This tool will be called QuestGarden. QuestGarden promises to simplify the WebQuest creation process by providing step by step directions, easy browser access and sharing of resources and more. Read more about it at the following site
Webquest Introduction for Teachers Explore the many excellent examples Think about how to implement this in your classroom Be creative! Enjoy.