http://www.westampton.k12.nj.us/datkinson/session_1.htmCreating and Using WebQuests
Prepared by Maria Matlack
I. What is a WebQuest?
A. Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University: "an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet."
B. Two Types:
1. Short-term
a. Intended to be completed in 1-3 class periods
b. Purpose: attaining and integrating new knowledge
c. Learners are exposed to a significant amount of new information and attempt to make sense of it
2. Long-term
a. intended to take between 1 week and 1 month
b. purpose: extending and refining knowledge
c. Learners deeply analyze a body of knowledge, synthesize it, and present it in a novel, personalized way
II. Why use a WebQuest?
A. Learning for a more authentic purpose
1. Rather than memorizing and regurgitating information, students are given tasks that allow them to use their imaginations and problem-solving skills
2. Students explore in a meaningful manner
B. Promotes cooperative learning and problem-solving
C. Facilitates differentiated instruction
1. Special needs students can be given defined roles that fit their abilities and make them feel that they are contributing.
2. Advanced learners can go above and beyond the average expectations.
III. Features of a WebQuest:
(* Please go to this website to follow along: http://home.earthlink.net/~s.russell/LC/webquest2.html)
)
A. Introduction
1. Orients the learner to the task to follow
2. Should raise interest and motivation
B. Task
1. Description of what the final outcome should be
2. This could be a final product or verbal presentation
3. Possibly the single most important part of the WebQuest
4. For a list of eleven different types of tasks, visit the Website: http://webquest.sdsu.edu/taskonomy.html
C. Process
1. Clearly describes steps to be taken
2. Outlines process learner must follow in order to complete the task
3. May provide some helpful learning advice or tips
D. Informational Sources
1. A list of pertinent websites that have been collected by the instructor
2. Also includes a list of other types of non-Web resources, such as print, video, etc.
3. Ordinarily, not all of the resources will be used by all of the learners
E. Evaluation
1. Describes how the final product will be evaluated
2. Like the learning, should be as authentic as possible but must also be measurable
3. Preferred format is usually a rubric
4. See this Website for assistance in rubric-building: http://www.harding.edu/USER/dlee/WWW/webquest/RUBRICBUILDING.HTM
F. Conclusion
1. Provides closure or wrap-up
2. Facilitates review and transfer of what students have learned
IV. Helpful preliminary design tips for teachers:
A. Become familiar with resources on the Internet that relate to your curriculum
1. “Bookmark” or add them to your “Favorites” and then organize them by categories
2. Make sure the related websites are valid. This website contains many pointers for this: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/quest.htm. Scroll down to “How Can I Make Sure My Sites are Valid?”
3. Don’t forget to look for non-Web resources to include as well
B. Choose a WebQuest topic that relates to your curriculum and for which you have collected a suitable number of resources
C. The Well-planned WebQuest
1. Has guidance for students
2. Facilitates a creative product with room for flexibility
3. Contains links that help answer questions and positively add to the project.
4. Is designed for students to work independently and for the teacher to be a facilitator
V. Special Technology Considerations
A. One computer with Internet Access
1. Pair students up and create a modular classroom for working on their WebQuests.
a. One rotating station could be the online computer,
b. one could use print-outs from Web pages
c. another group could use library books, magazines, videotapes, CD-ROMs, etc.
2. Students in this scenario would be in a good position to evaluate whether Web access made a difference.
B. A few computers with Internet Access
1. Try pairing students up for each role (therefore five roles could support ten students).
2. You might also look for access to an online computer lab that might be available for a few class sessions.
Internet Resources for WebQuests
How-To Websites
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/buildingblocks/p-index.htm
· Tabs for each part of a WebQuest.
· Explain each part and give examples
· Links to template
http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech/tech011.shtml
· Information about purpose and parts
· Links to help build a WebQuest and to resources
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/webquest/webquest.html
· Definition
· Tutorial
· Rubrics
· Template
· Resources
· Slide show
· List of the best WebQuests
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line_quest.htm
· Introduction
· How to Write a WebQuest
· Links to WebQuests
http://teacherweb.com/TWQuest.htm
· Includes links to index of prepared Webquests
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/materials.htm
· Training materials
· WebQuest about WebQuests by academic level
· Five Rules for Writing Great WebQuests
· Search Link for WebQuests
· Overview and FAQs
http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/webquest/class/index.html
· Materials and links from “WebQuest Academy”
· Overview
· Examples
· Examples of what a WebQuest IS NOT
· Interactive Web Adventures
· Web Treasure Hunts
· Search engines
· Tips for effective searches
· Online tutorials
· Templates
http://eduscapes.com/sessions/travel/use.htm
· Elements of a WebQuest
· Evaluating WebQuests
· Use of WebQuests
· Links to prepared WebQuests
http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/WebQuests.html
· WebQuest how-to
· Links to prepared WebQuests
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/wq_wq.htm
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/tpfs98/index.htm
· Six modules on building WebQuests
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestrubric.html
· Rubric for evaluating WebQuests
WebQuests on Preparing WebQuests/ Tutorials:
http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/webquest/teacher_quest/
· WebQuest on preparing a WebQuest
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestwebquest-es.html
· WebQuest on preparing a WebQuest at the elementary level
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestwebquest-3-4.html
· WebQuest on preparing a WebQuest for grades 3-4
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestwebquest-ms.html
· WebQuest on preparing a WebQuest for middle school
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestwebquest-hs.html
· WebQuest on preparing a WebQuest for middle school and high school
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestwebquest-hum.html
· WebQuest on preparing a WebQuest for high school humanities
http://www.teachersfirst.com/summer/webquest/quest-b.shtml
· Tutorial
http://www.teachingcompany.com/Designwebquest/sld006.htm
· Slide show tutorial
http://www.westampton.k12.nj.us/datkinson/session_1.htm
· First of a three-session tutorial prepared by Donna Atkinson at Holly Hills School in Westampton
· Excellent step-by-step guide for WebQuest creation
http://www.westampton.k12.nj.us/datkinson/session_2.htm
· Second of a three-session tutorial prepared by Donna Atkinson at Holly Hills School in Westampton
· Excellent step-by-step guide for WebQuest creation
http://www.westampton.k12.nj.us/datkinson/session_3.htm
· Second of a three-session tutorial prepared by Donna Atkinson at Holly Hills School in Westampton
· Excellent step-by-step guide for WebQuest creation
WebQuest Generators/ Templates Only
http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/web_quest/
· WebQuest generator
· Contains pop-ups
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/tpss99/mywebquest/index.htm
· Template
http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/WebQuestTemplate/webquesttemp.htm
· WebQuest template
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/LessonTemplate.html
· Variety of different types of templates
Websites that Provide Indexes of Prepared WebQuests
· Lists websites for early, middle, high, and adult and ranks them.
· Links to description which links to website itself
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/EDTEC596/Units/Bermuda/BTriangle.html
· Lists WebQuests by subject and then by educational level
· Links to WebQuests
· Includes teacher resources
http://teacherweb.com/TWQuest.htm
· Includes template
· Hosts your WebQuest
http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/wq/webqindx.htm
http://www.techtrekers.com/webquests/
· Alphabetical listing by title with grade levels in parentheses
· Links by subject at the top of the page