WebQuests in Science Teaching With Technology Presenter: Andrea Dormer

What is a WebQuest? A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which some or all of the information that students interact with comes from sources on the Internet. This model was developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in 1995.

Let’s Look At An Example!!! Here is Another One!!

What It Is… A Group Project Web-based Open-Ended Questions Higher-Level Thinking Student Centered (Teacher Facilitated) Collaborative 21st Century Learning

What It Is NOT… A “Scavenger Hunt” A Report A Question with a Predefined Answer A Way to Teach Factual Information

What are the benefits of WebQuests? The amount of information available will grow at an accelerating pace; much of it will come directly from a growing number of sources without filtering or verification. Tomorrow’s workers will need to be able to work in teams.

Help to create a lifelong process of learning, honoring multiple perspectives and evaluating information before acting on it. Combines a list of sequential steps and pre-selected websites. This allows for a controlled research environment.

How does this benefit you? Your classroom becomes student centered. You facilitate learning instead of lecturing or directing. You can watch all students succeed since this type of teaching supports all learners.

Basic Layout Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion (optional) Teacher PageTeacher Page

Introduction Capture their attention and preview the assignment. Usually contain background info and motivational scenarios (ex. You are an astronaut planning a trip to the moon.) Home

Task Describe the purpose to the activity and the end product. Home

Process Explain the step-by-step strategies students will use to complete the task. Provides links to pre-approved websites. Can be enhanced with videos, posters, maps, models, manipulatives, and more Home

Evaluation Shows the rubric and/or criteria by which the project will be graded. Measures the results of the WebQuest. Standards should be fair, clean, consistent, and specific to the tasks set. Home

Conclusion Sums up the activity Encourages students to reflect on the project and their results. Home

Teacher Pages This is an optional page. It can include state and/or national standards for the lesson as well as suggestions on how to make the WebQuest more effective. Home

So…Where Do You Start? The first question you need to ask yourself is… Should I make a WebQuest or use one I found on the Internet?

“Don’t Reinvent the Wheel” You can find a lot of already made WebQuests online with a little research. I have listed a few science examples on my CFF wikispace and have placed some helpful links at the end of this PowerPoint.

Adapt an Existing WebQuest Sometimes you can find a WebQuest that needs only minor adaptations. Use the following website for ideas on how to modify it to best meet your needs. Adapting A WebQuest

Create Your Own WebQuest Use a free online resource: –FilamentalityFilamentality This website allows you many options in creating your WebQuest online. –teAchnologyteAchnology This website allows you to fill in the blanks and creates a WebQuest for you. Make sure to Save File onto your computer after creating it.

Create a WebQuest in Word Create a word document outlining all the 6 steps. Include the websites on this document. The following template could be helpful: Word Template

Create a WebQuest in PowerPoint Create a PowerPoint with hyperlinks between pages You can use one of the following templates as a starting point to your PowerPoint WebQuest Template One Template Two (Look for PowerQuest Template) Template Three

How to Hyperlink Click on text or an object you would like to hyperlink. –AutoShapes Go to “Insert” and then “Hyperlink”

How do you make a WebQuest? 1.Choose a topic that you will be able to design a task around (one that has many websites & resources.) 2.Write an introduction. 3.Design your task.

4. Determine how you will grade the product and what the end result will look like. (Rubrics are helpful.) 5.Design the process and activities the students will have to complete. (Step- by-step processes can be helpful.) 6.Include your resources and websites.

Resources Used in This Presentation Bernie Dodge’s Website WebQuest 101 How to Design A WebQuest Concept to Classroom WebQuests: Teaching with Technology WebQuests: Growing with Technology

Interesting WebQuest Articles Interview with Bernie Dodge Interview with Bernie Dodge (Creator of WebQuests By Linda Sarr It’s Easier Than You Think It’s Easier Than You Think By Linda Sarr What WebQuests Are (Really) What WebQuests Are (Really) By Tom March 7 Red Flags when Sifting Through WebQuests 7 Red Flags when Sifting Through WebQuests By Tom March WebQuest Direct WebQuest Direct A List of Many WebQuest Articles A Road Map For Designing WebQuests A Road Map For Designing WebQuests PowerPoint by Bernie Dodge WebQuest Taskonomy 21st Century Skills in WebQuests

Pre-Made WebQuests WebQuest Locater –Find Pre-Made WebQuests Teacher Tap –Locate and Evaluate WebQuests RubistarRubistar Rubrics