Webquests in the Classroom

The Father of Webquest Professor of Educational Technology, San Diego State University Webquest concept developed in 1995 as an inquiry-oriented activity to support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

What is a webquest? An inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by the students is drawn from the web. Constructed around a scenario of interest to students. Students communicate research by constructing a product: presentation, brochure, newsletter, newscast, skit, podcast, etc..

Why a Webquest? Brings together the most effective instructional practices Dynamic learning environment Student centered Strategies to increase student motivation Supports students’ thinking at the higher levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation 1

Two Types of Webquests Short Term Longer Term designed to be completed in one to three class periods Longer Term designed to take between one week and one month

Basic Elements Additional Elements Introduction Task A List of Resources Process Conclusion Evaluation Additional Elements

Introduction The purpose is to prepare and hook the reader A paragraph to introduce the activity or lesson to the students. You set the stage Communicate the “Big Question” Example: http://questgarden.com/22/04/3/060411191933/index.htm http://questgarden.com/73/76/3/081119135418/

Task Focuses the learner on what they are going to do…the performance or product that drives all of the learning activities Describe clearly what the end result of the learners’ activities will be Don’t list the steps, that goes in Process section. Examples http://questgarden.com/22/04/3/060411191933/index.htm http://questgarden.com/72/85/5/081109184839/

Resources The resources that the student must use to gather the information necessary to complete the task. A list of resources you have located that will help the learner accomplish the task, including non-web resources. Example: http://teacherweb.com/PA/HolyFamilyCollege/ConstitutionalConventionWebQuest/index.html http://teacherweb.com/PA/HolyFamilyCollege/RitaDuffield/index.html

Process Outlines how the learners will accomplish the task. Clear steps, resources and tools for organizing information foes here. Tell what steps the learner should go through. Learners will access the on-line resources that you’ve identified as they go through the process. You could also provide some hints on how to organize the information. Example: http://teacherweb.com/PA/HolyFamilyUniversity/BuyingYourFirstCar/index.aspx

Conclusion Brings closure and encourages reflection Summarizes what the learners will have accomplished or learned by this activity or lesson. You can also include some rhetorical questions or additional links to encourage an extension of their thinking into other content areas beyond this lesson. Examples: http://teacherweb.com/PA/HolyFamilyUniversity/AncientEgyptianAdventure/index.html

Evaluation Describes the evaluation criteria needed to meet the performance and content standards Describes how their performance will be evaluated. The assessment rubric(s) aligns itself with the culminating project or performance, as per the Task section. Examples: http://questgarden.com/22/04/3/060411191933/index.htm http://questgarden.com/73/76/3/081119135418/

Additional Elements Standards Role What State Standards are you addressing? You might also mention any National Educational Technology Standards that you use. Role If you are planning a scenario where the students each take on a different task or group then you may want to clarify their specific role here.

Samples http://www.middleschool.net/less_tut/webquests/mathwq.htm http://www.middleschool.net/less_tut/webquests/sciwq.htm http://www.middleschool.net/less_tut/webquests/lawq.htm http://www.middleschool.net/less_tut/webquests/webqmain.htm#general

http://teacherweb. com/PA/HolyFamilyCollege/MissGaughan'sWebQuest/h2 http://teacherweb.com/PA/HolyFamilyCollege/MissGaughan'sWebQuest/h2.stm http://teacherweb.com/WQ/ElementarySchool/NativeAmericans4/index.html http://teacherweb.com/ME/WarsawMiddleSchool/LewisandClarkWQ/index.html http://teacherweb.com/WQ/HighSchool/TheGreatEmpriesWebQuest/index.html http://teacherweb.com/OH/YSU/BillofRights/index.html

Webquest Information http://webquest.org/ http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/month8/index.html http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech011.shtml http://www.eduscapes.com/tap/topic4.htm http://eduscapes.com/sessions/travel/mhswebquests.htm http://www.aacps.org/aacps/boe/instr/curr/comed/hswebquest.htm http://www.colonialhall.com/biodoi.asp - biographies of the founding fathers http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/ -- Guide for educators

Websites http://www.findsounds.com - a free site for finding sound effects and musical instrument samples on the Web. http://www.freeplaymusic.com -comprehensive collection of High End Broadcast production music spanning all the popular musical genres, available for download