1. Using WebQuests to Increase Student Learning
Hannah Mohs
NNU Graduate Student
May 5, 2011

2. When do students struggle?
The fifth grade studentsof Hiawatha Elementary School exhibit low grades in Social Studies classes when teachers use standard, face-to-face instructional methods.

3. What can I do to help?
Try a new strategy
Reach as many learners as possible

4. How can a WebQuest help?
WebQuests prompt transformational thinking, defined as an activity that goes beyond the acquisition of facts and allow the learner to transform knowledge to make it their own (March, 2008)
Students engage in higher order thinking

5. What is the goal of a WebQuests?
to help students think critically at higher cognitive levels, and use information to solve problems (Young and Wilson, 2002).

6. Factors to consider:
Find an adequate, REAL WebQuest
Student learning styles
Student technological experience

7. Methodology
Two units
Traditional lecture styleinstruction
Facilitated electronic instruction, WebQuest
This study will measure results by comparing student scores from traditional and electronic instruction.
The results will be analyzed through descriptive statistics, a t-test, and a one-way ANOVA test.

8. Possible Findings
Some students may excel because of prior technological exposure
The WebQuest may not target a students preferred learning style.
Some students may connect to the content better than others.

9. Future Possibilities
Students will learn to use the internet to acquire knowledge
The teacher-researcher will use a WebQuest again in Social Studies and other subject areas.

10. References
March, T. (2008). What WebQuests are (really). BestWebQuests.com. Retrieved from http://bestwebquests.com/what_webquests_are.asp
Young, D. L., & Wilson, B. G. (2002). WebQuests for Reflection and Conceptual Change: Variations on a Popular Model for Guided Inquiry. Retrieved from EBSCOhost: (ED477112)