WebQuests By Phil Brabbs
If it’s so amazing, why aren’t we all using the Internet in class? Shortage of computers Technical problems Having access to the Internet is not the same as knowing how to use it to teach English
PROJECT WORK Standard tool for English teachers Students need to collect information
THE INTERNET AND PROJECT WORK ADVANTAGES Fantastic source of information English is one of the main languages of the Internet PROBLEM Like looking for a needle in a haystack Students should spend time using information, not looking for it
WHAT IS A WEBQUEST? A project which uses the Internet as its main source of information
EXAMPLE OF A WEBQUEST Written by Cynthia Matzat And Now a Word from Our Sponsor A WebQuest on Propaganda
IMPORTANT FEATURES (1) Introduction - captures students’ interest Task - describes end product Process (including resources) - describes what students should do and provides websites Evaluation - explains how the work will be evaluated Conclusion - sums up the activity Standard building blocks:
IMPORTANT FEATURES (2) Y Motivating task - creativity, individual choice, interpretation Y Teacher supplies websites - students don’t waste time searching Y Higher level thinking skills - analysing, synthesizing, evaluating Y Cooperative work Y Scaffolding - guidance
EXAMPLES OF WEBQUESTS Choose ONE of the following: Our Vacation to France! by Lee Go to the WebQuest matrix page. Chooose a number and then a WebQuest (“And now a word from our sponsors” is in English Language/Arts 6-8) See also Australian WebQuests, etc
WEBQUESTS- AVANTAGES Y Opens up the possible range of projects Y Information on Internet includes text, pictures, audio and video Y Lots of example WebQuests available Y Lots of help on the Web Templates Different task types Advice on search engines Y Motivating for many students
PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES Access to the Internet Computer literacy (student and teacher) US bias of WebQuest materials Technical problems – broadband and plugins
Y Could you use webquests in your context? Why/why not?
? Questions ?
THANK YOU! © Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 Finished!