Forum: Best and Worst Webquests
Find out what a webquest is by reading the ?What is a WebQuest?? portion of the website webquest.org. Feel free to explore the website further if you?d like to learn more.
A real webquest:
1. Is wrapped around a doable and interesting task that is ideally a scaled down version of things that adults do as citizens or workers.
2. Requires higher level thinking, not simply summarizing. This includes synthesis, analysis, problem-solving, creativity and judgment.
3. 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.)
4. 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.
5. 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. (resource)
The building blocks of a webquest are:
1. Introduction – The purpose of this section is to both prepare and hook the reader. The student is the intended audience.
2. Task – The task focuses learners on what they are going to do – specifically, the culminating performance or product that drives all of the learning activities.
3. Process – This section outlines how the learners will accomplish the task. Scaffolding includes clear steps, resources, and tools for organizing information.
a. Scaffolding Strategies? activities to build background information and check for understanding
4. Evaluation- This section describes the evaluation criteria needed to meet performance and content standards.
5. Conclusion – The conclusion brings closure and encourages reflection.
6. Teacher Page – The teacher page includes information to help other teachers implement the webquest, including: target learners, standards, notes for teaching the unit, and, in some cases, examples of student work.
Select a grade level, and explore this Webquest about Webquests. You do not need to complete the activity, just look at the webquests that are listed in each area.
In the forum area of Oncourse:
Discuss a webquest in the site that you feel is one of the best as well as one you feel is the worst for the same common grade area section of the site. Use the elementary one