Making Your Own Webquest

What is a webquestAn inquiry-oriented activity in

which some or all of the information that students interact with comes from resources on the web.

Key FeaturesAn Internet-based activity that is based around

an engaged and doable task

Emphasized higher-order thinking skills by challenging students to solve a problem

Allows students to work in groups while teachers facilitate their learning

Scaffolding alls ALL to participate

Answers are not predefined– they must be discovered and created

What it is NOT!An internet “scavenger hunt”

Only for gifted kids

Simply answering questions and regurgitating what is on the screen

One on answer to “solve” the webquest

How do Webquests Benefit Teachers

See the center of gravity of your room move to the students – your classrooms becomes student- centered

If you set it up right, you facilitate learning instead of directing it.

Observe all your students succeed since this typ eo teaching supports all learners.

Components of a Webquest

Introduction

Task

Process

Information sources

Evaluation

Conclusion

IntroductionShould orient learner to what is

coming

Should raise interest in the upcoming activity

TaskShould describe what the

learners will have done by the end of the Webquest

Description of the ProcessShould clearly describe the

steps

Should let the learner know the process to follow to successfully accomplish the task

May provide advice for handling certain tasks

Set of Information SourcesShould be list of web pages the

instructor has selected to help the students accomplish the task

EvaluationShould be clear criteria for how the

project will be evaluated

Evaluation rubrics designed by the teacher are the most effective

Rubistar is a good source for rubric makinghttp://rubistar.4teachers.org/index

.php

ConclusionShould bring closure to the

webquest

Should remind learners of what they have learned

Should encourage them to extend the experience

Your Chance to Explore Webquest

Break into groups

Go to http://webquest.org/index-resources.php

Under “A webquest about webquests” select and age group

Wait for my directions

Let’s share our impressionThe Good, Bad & Ugly

Where do you start?Making vs Using

1st Option: Don’t reinvent the wheel

2nd Option: Build/Alter it Yourself

Have an outline ready

Alter it! Found a good one, but need to make a few changes.

Whether you choose Option 1,2 or 3 Just follow

the steps below…1. Decide on the Topic

2. Pick the Task

3. Formulate the Process

4. Research Meaningful Resources

5. Decide upon the Evaluation

Ready to Use Webquesthttp://projects.edtech.sandi.net/projects/index.ht

ml

Grades K-3 http://eduscapes.com/sessions/travel/k3webquests

.htm

Grade k -2http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/k2webqu.htm

Winn-Dixiehttp://www.readingonline.org/electronic/

elec_index.asp?HREF=/electronic/ boswell

Ready to Use WebquestDinosaurs

http://home.comcast.net/~saponaro/dino/dinowebquest.html

Techtreckershttp://www.techtrekers.com/webquests/

Webquesthttp://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguid

e/webquest/webquest.html

Other sitesCSI for history

http://web.wm.edu/hsi/?svr=www

http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/computing/web_quests/