Introduction

Day 4-5 Virtual Field Trips

Day 1- 2- 3

Richness:  How much does your curriculum provide?

Definition: A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web. WebQuests are designed to use  learners' time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to  support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. The model was developed in early 1995 at San Diego State University by Bernie Dodge with Tom March, and was outlined then in Some Thoughts About WebQuests.   For a more current definition, go to:
What WebQuests Are (Really) and get Tom March's up-to-date view.  I encourage you to read this paper as an aid to your WebQuest understanding.

Assignment #1:  Beyond read and recall: An introduction to web-based learning using WebQuests.   Read this article and answer the following: In what ways has research indicated that information and communications technology (ICT) improves learning?  What is meant by "scaffolding" and what role does it play in WebQuests? 
You may email your responses to me.

Assignment # 2:  Why WebQuests?, an introduction.  Read (in class) this article by Tom March and criticize it.  Citing examples from your classroom develop a short position as to why you agree or not?  Some of it?  All of it?  Why or why not?  

Assignment #3:  All Tom March’s Writings.  Select at least three from the list and develop a brief summary to be discussed in class.  Provide an opinion statement and reference supportive materials/studies. No conjecture, please. Summary is to be emailed to the instructor. 

Examples of Web Quests

Assignment # 4:  Use the following links to view some useful WebQuests.

Search for WebQuests: by text or grade level matrix.  

Best WebQuests 

Sandiego City Schools

Yorkville District 115's WebQuests 

Choose at least three that you could use in your classroom.  Write down your impressions, likes, dislikes, usefulness, etc.  Print out a copy of the Assessing WebQuests evaluation matrix/rubric (by Tom March) or the WebQuest Rubric and use either one to guide your evaluations.  You will then have an opportunity to share your findings with the class by means of on oral report.  Base your selections/evaluations of WebQuests using the rubric and the current definition.

A few of my personal favorites:

Searching for China            Look Who's Footing the Bill        Acts of Parliament, in Defense of the British

Building Web Quests

Time to get your hands dirty!

Assignment # 5  Create a WebQuest!

Quoting Bernie Dodge, "Technologically, creating a WebQuest can be very simple. As long as you can create a document with hyperlinks, you can create a WebQuest. That means that a WebQuest can be created in Word, PowerPoint, and even Excel! If you're going to call it a WebQuest, though, be sure that it has all the (current) critical attributes.

A real WebQuest....

  • is wrapped around a doable and interesting task that is ideally a scaled down version of things that adults do as citizens or workers. Keep it authentic!
  • requires higher level thinking, not simply summarizing. This includes synthesis, analysis, problem-solving, creativity and judgment.
  • makes good use of the web. A WebQuest that isn't based on real resources from the web is probably just a traditional lesson in disguise. (Of course, books and other media can be used within a WebQuest, but if the web isn't at the heart of the lesson, it's not a WebQuest.)
  • isn't a research report or a step-by-step science or math procedure. Having learners simply distilling web sites and making a presentation about them isn't enough.
  • isn't just a series of web-based experiences. Having learners go look at this page, then go play this game, then go here and turn your name into hieroglyphs doesn't require higher level thinking skills and so, by definition, isn't a WebQuest."

But, how do I create one?   Where do I go?   How do I start? 
As you are introduced to the world of WebQuest-ing, I am sure you are asking yourself  these same questions. For step-by-step directions on WebQuests, you can follow A Roadmap for Developing WebQuests .  This site will help answer most of those questions.  And may even generate some new ones.  If you are more graphically oriented, use the WebQuest Design Map flow chart.

Let's not re-invent the wheel.  Let's see more of what others have done.  Visit the WebQuest Portal from San Diego State University to search for examples of WebQuests

Another good reference to use when constructing Web Quests is: Quests for the Facts About WebQuests  A are good tutorials.


More helpful tools for constructing & using WebQuests.

You may want to use the WebQuest Templates located here to help get started.

Still not sure? Try the WebQuest generator at  Teach-nolgy.com

More WebQuests for use in your classroom: Developing the WebQuest Strategy, by Pacific Bell

Well, still haven't had enough?  Here are the results for a search of WebQuests at Pacific Bell's Knowledge Network Explorer site.  You will find over sixty WebQuests and other web based activities. 

WebQuests ctegorized by grade level:  Inquiry oriented Internet Activities

Great site for WebQuest construction:   Internet 4 Classrooms

Instant WebQuest.  Just add content.  They even host it for you.  zWebquest is a web-based software for creating WebQuests in a short time. No writing HTML code or using any web editor software. Good selection of existing projects too.

WebQuest.org. Need I say more?

Introduction

Day 4 & 5 Virtual Field Trips