WebQuests
By Phil Brabbs
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 2
If it’s so amazing, why aren’t we all using the
Internet in class?
Shortage of computers
Technical problems Having access to the Internet is not the same as knowing how to use it to teach English
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 3
PROJECT WORK
Standard tool for English teachers
Students need to collect information
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 4
THE INTERNET AND PROJECT WORK
ADVANTAGES
Fantastic source of information
English is one of the main languages of the Internet
PROBLEM
Like looking for a needle in a haystack
Students should spend time using information, not looking
for it
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 5
WHAT IS A WEBQUEST?
A project which uses the Internet as its main
source of information
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 6
EXAMPLE OF A WEBQUEST
Written by Cynthia Matzat
http://www.thematzats.com/propaganda/
And Now a Word from Our Sponsor
A WebQuest on Propaganda
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 7
IMPORTANT FEATURES (1)
Introduction - captures students’ interest
Task - describes end product Process (including resources) -
describes what students should do and provides websites
Evaluation - explains how the work will be evaluated
Conclusion - sums up the activity
Standard building blocks:
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 8
IMPORTANT FEATURES (2)
Motivating task - creativity, individual choice, interpretation
Teacher supplies websites - students don’t waste time searching
Higher level thinking skills - analysing, synthesizing, evaluating
Cooperative work Scaffolding - guidance
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 9
EXAMPLES OF WEBQUESTSChoose ONE of the following: Our Vacation to France! by Lee
Go to the WebQuest matrix page. Chooose a number and then a WebQuest (“And now a word from our sponsors” is in English Language/Arts 6-8)
See also Australian WebQuests, etc
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 10
WEBQUESTS- AVANTAGES
Opens up the possible range of projects
Information on Internet includes text, pictures, audio and video
Lots of example WebQuests available Lots of help on the Web
TemplatesDifferent task typesAdvice on search engines
Motivating for many students
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 11
PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES
Access to the Internet Computer literacy (student and
teacher) US bias of WebQuest materials Technical problems – broadband
and plugins
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 12
Could you use webquests in your context? Why/why not?
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 13
?
Questions
?
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002 14
THANK YOU!
© Phil Brabbs, Norwich NILE 2002http://www.volny.cz/brabbs/
Finished!