Webquests Ann Howden UEN Professional Development May 25, 2005

What is a Webquest?  Developed in February, 1995, by Bernie Dodge with Tom March  A webquest is “an inquiry based activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the web.” (Bernie Dodge)

Webquest: Stereotype vs. the Real Thing  Most teachers believe a webquest is a group project that uses technology to complete a presentation, brochure or to collect facts and data.  A “real” webquest is not an internet scavenger hunt. A “real” webquest facilitates the transition from knowledge to understanding of a subject in the mind of a student.

A “Real” Webquest "A WebQuest is a scaffolded learning structure that uses links to essential resources on the World Wide Web and an authentic task to motivate students’ investigation of a central, open-ended question, development of individual expertise and participation in a final group process that attempts to transform newly acquired information into a more sophisticated understanding. The best WebQuests do this in a way that inspires students to see richer thematic relationships, facilitate a contribution to the real world of learning and reflect on their own metacognitive processes.“ (Tom March, 2003)scaffolded learning structure essential resources on the World Wide Web development of individual expertise The best WebQuests do this in a way that inspires students to see richer thematic relationships, facilitate a contribution to the real world of learning

Why Use a Webquest?  Students are directed to a specific learning goal  Random internet searching becomes obsolete  Students must decipher information and “learn” instead of “search” for material on the Internet  Directed activity with the internet as a primary resource

Types of Webquests  Short Term Webquest Knowledge acquisition and integration New information Make sense of information One to three class periods  Long Term Webquest Extend and refine knowledge Analyze and transform information Demonstrate understanding Create something One week to one month in a classroom setting.

Characteristics of a Good Webquest  Helps students learn about a specific subject in detail  Interests students and is age appropriate  Highly visual  Easy to use  Assessment mechanism

Six Components of a Webquest (Bernie Dodge, 1995) 1. Introduction Introduction 2. Task Task 3. Process Process 4. Evaluation Evaluation 5. Conclusion Conclusion 6. Teacher’s Page Teacher’s Page

Introduction  The “HOOK” to draw students interest  Prepare students for the purpose of the activity

Task and Process Task  The Task section helps focus the learner and clearly describes the essential questions and student learning objectives  Can be multiple tasks within a webquest Process  The Process section lays out the individual action steps the student will take, the resources to be used, and how students should organize their data.

Evaluation  Provide students with the evaluation criteria (generally in rubric form)  Important to include so that students are aware of their responsibilities with the webquest

Conclusion  Brings closure to the webquest  Encourages student reflection  Assignment to complete  Extension activity as homework (optional)

Teacher’s Page  Optional addition to a webquest  Directions and guidelines to assist other teachers with webquest implementation  Includes information about: Targeted learners Core standards, essential questions, lesson objectives Student work

How To Build a Webquest 1. Develop an “Essential Question” and storyboard the webquest 2. Decide what information students need to succeed 1. Find web resources 2. Determine tasks and procedures 3. Decide how long the project should take 4. Select a Design Pattern or other template as a modelDesign Pattern

What software do I use to build my webquest? Webquest typed and photocopied for students to use PowerPoint presentation Dreamweaver and launch your own website. Word Document with Hyperlinks Excel spreadsheet with hyperlinks

How do I Publish my Webquest?  The “Hard” Way Learn how to build your own website, build the website, and either turn the website into your webquest or host your webquest on your site.  The “Easy” Way Create your webquest in PowerPoint and upload it to your public my.uen page for students to access and use inside and outside of the school.

Or….  Use Bernie Dodge’s website at and build a quest in the quest garden template and have your quest hosted here for FREE*  *free until September 2006

Where Can I Find Webquest Examples?  San Diego State University Webquest page:  Tom March webquest page:  Teachers First webpage, (keyword search: webquest):

The “Best” Web Resources  Link Center/Curriculum Resources  Themepark  Multimedia presentation resources for educators  Marco Polo  Pioneer Online Library  PBS Teacher Source  The Library of Congress (American Memory Project)

Webquests Ann Howden UEN Professional Development May 25, 2005

Scaffolded Learning Structure  Scaffolds are "temporary frameworks to support student performance beyond their capacities…" (Cho & Jonassen, 2002).  Scaffolding in a webquest helps engage students, divides the activity into manageable tasks and focuses student attention on a specific learning goal.

What is an Essential Resource on the web?  A webquest must link to resources that foster learning, analysis, and evaluation  The best websites for student use are interactive, media- rich, and “exciting”

Development of Individual Expertise  Once students have been provided with sufficient background knowledge, then they are ready to become an expert in the assigned subject area. Students become investigators, filling their minds with “all the answers” and developing the ability to be critical thinkers.

Real World Learning? Serious? A webquest has the ability to expand students’ knowledge and create critical thinkers Webquests allow students to research issues, formulate opinions, and learn to defend their opinions with evidence Webquests help students to relate to the real world, to draw connections between their lives and the lives of others

The “Best” Web Resources  Link Center/Curriculum Resources  Themepark  Multimedia presentation resources for educators  Marco Polo  Pioneer Online Library  PBS Teacher Source  The Library of Congress (American Memory Project)