WEBQUEST

A webquest is an assignment which asks students to use the World Wide Web to learn about and/or synthesize their knowledge a specific topic. A “true” webquest, as originally designed by Bernie Dodge and Tom March, requires synthesis of the new knowledge by accomplishing a “task,” often to solve a hypothetical problem or address a real-world issue. Simpler web activities designed for students to investigate and collect new knowledge from web-based sources can also be a more engaging and effective replacement for read-the-chapter-and-complete-the-review-questions.  This tutorial will walk you through the basics to create a simple or more elaborate activity. The assignment can be given on paper, certainly the simplest and most portable option. For an example, click here to print out a simple "on paper" webquest on Laura Ingalls Wilder. (You'll need Adobe's Acrobat Reader, which is available from the TeachersFirst Toolbox. A webquest assignment can also be given on the web itself by sending students to a web page which serves as the "home base" for the student’s information search. For an example, click here to see an "on the web" webquest bsed on Harper Lee's book To Kill A Mockingbird. You can also present a webquest using some other multi-media software such as Hyperstudio or Powerpoint. The quality of your webquest depends on the ideas and thought that go into in more than on flashy presentation technologies. It’s easy to create a mediocre webquest, and it’s far more difficult to create quest that really works well.

What is a Webquest?    

Research demonstrates that using WebQuests at the elementary level can be beneficial to students. Depending on the age group of the learners, teachers can design WebQuests that are more general or specific in nature. The key to designing an effective WebQuest is to have a clear purpose and objective in mind.WebQuests can be designed to be an effective use of student time by being organized and focused on using information instead of searching for it. These two factors contribute to ensuring that students remain on task while online. WebQuests extend the students' thinking to the higher levels of Bloom’s taxonomy; analysis, synthesis and evaluation. WebQuests also support a variety of instructional and cognitive practices such as critical thinking and problem solving through authentic assessment, cooperative learning, scaffolding and technology integration.Teachers may incorporate WebQuests into their instruction to introduce a unit or to conclude a unit, as a culmination activity. WebQuests may also be used to foster cooperative learning through collaborative activities with a group project. Teachers use WebQuests to encourage independent thinking and to motivate students; thus increasing learning. Finally, WebQuests can be designed to help enhance students’ technological competencies.

HOW TO DEVELOP A WEBQUEST

CREATE WEBQUEST