WebQuests “The Computer as an Educational Tool: Productivity and Problem Solving” ©Richard C. Forcier and Don E. Descy

What is a WebQuest? Web pages with educational objectives Web pages with educational objectives Learning activities that extend classroom experiences Learning activities that extend classroom experiences Exercises using the Internet Exercises using the Internet

Six Parts of a WebQuest Introduction Introduction Task Task Process Process Evaluation Evaluation Conclusion Conclusion Teacher page Teacher page

Introduction Prepare student Prepare student Raise interest in learner Raise interest in learner  Relevant to past experiences  Relevant to future goals  Visually interesting  FUN!!!

Task Focus student on what to do Focus student on what to do Final product Final product Make assignments different Make assignments different Stay away from oral and written papers Stay away from oral and written papers

Process Outlines task step-by-step Outlines task step-by-step Strategies for making subtasks Strategies for making subtasks Description of roles Description of roles Learning advice Learning advice

Evaluation Criteria used to grade Criteria used to grade Rubrics used to help meet standards Rubrics used to help meet standards Most recently added part Most recently added part

Conclusion Brings closure to WebQuest Brings closure to WebQuest Encourages reflection Encourages reflection Additional links found here Additional links found here Rhetorical questions found also Rhetorical questions found also

Teacher Page Usually a separate page Usually a separate page Includes Includes  Target audiences  Problems  Questions that may arise  Examples of finished products

Resources (Optional) Websites for students to look at Websites for students to look at List of other information (books, videos) List of other information (books, videos) Preselected for students Preselected for students  Focus attention on topic  Prevents aimless surfing

Three Acceptable Uses Use a pre-existing WebQuest Use a pre-existing WebQuest Use pre-existing WebQuest as starting point Use pre-existing WebQuest as starting point Make your own Make your own

Possible Complications No computers No computers One computer One computer

No Computers Can print off pages Can print off pages Other aspects of learning used Other aspects of learning used  Lose computer  Lose Web

One Computer Pair up students Pair up students Use stations Use stations  One group online  One group uses printouts  One group uses books, magazines, movies, etc.

Choosing a WebQuest Excellence of site not the most important factor Excellence of site not the most important factor KNOW YOUR STUDENTS! KNOW YOUR STUDENTS!  Prior experiences  Knowledge  Interests  Your goals for what they achieve