WebQuest

Today we have talked about what a WebQuest is. A WebQuest are activities, using Internet resources, which encourage students to use higher order thinking skills to solve a real messy problem. WebQuests are a sub-set of Problem-Based Learning (PBL).

WebQuest main advantages are:

            - Teachers around the world are making WebQuests for their own classes as well as to share.

            - Students of all ages and grades can use WebQuests.

            - Most, if not all, of the information used in WebQuests is drawn from the Internet.

            - Students are provided with online resources and are asked to use this information constructively to solve the presented problem rather than just cutting and pasting material into an assignment or project.

            - By eliminating the need to search or hunt for information the student is given more time to analyse, criticise and assess the information they find.

            - WebQuests are inquiry-oriented activities designed to make the most of the student's time.

            - Most schools cannot afford the time or resources required to allow students to search the Internet without a clear purpose in mind, and there is doubtful educational benefit in doing so. WebQuests allow students to use the Internet without the arduous task of filtering through the mountains of information contained within it. Teachers have done this work already!

            - Great WebQuests direct students to not only search for information but to debate, discuss or defend a particular stance with classmates.

WebQuests are designed:

            - From the perspective of student/learner

            - As coherent and relevant units - either as short term lessons (a few days/lessons) to long term projects

            - With a whole to part organisation

            - With the teacher as facilitator

            - With learning through the active construction of meaning

            - For flexible environments

            - To support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

WebQuest essential components are:

            - Introduction

            An introduction that draws the learners attention to the topic and inspires them into action. It should contain a hook.

            - Task

A task that is drawn from the introduction and sets out the goal. It is the most important aspect of the WebQuest. There is often a Focus Question that defines the task. The task needs to be based on Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and contain a messy problem to solve.

            - Resources

Resources that are necessary for the task, most of which will be Internet links.

            - Process

A description of the process the learners should go through in solving the messy problem. The process is broken up into clearly described steps and may designate roles or perspectives to the learners. Giving students roles helps them use their emotional intelligence and demonstrates how different people have different views within the community. 

            - Evaluation

An evaluation is the guidelines for how students will be assessed. It is usually in a Rubric. Evaluation rubrics come in many forms and rubrics designed by the teacher are the most authentic.

            - Conclusion

A conclusion brings closure to the quest, addresses the answering of the Focus Question, and should challenge the learner to act upon what they have achieved within their local environment.

Teacher's Guide

Not regarded, by most, as an Essential Component, the Teacher's Guide allows other teachers to quickly see if the WebQuest meets their requirements.

It should contain the following:

            - Learners: a description of the grade level and students

            - Curriculum Standards: at least a link to the Standards that this WebQuest complies with.

            - Duration: the amount of time needed to complete this WebQuest.

            - Implementation strategies

For finishing, I am going to show you the WebQuest which is going to serve us as guidance tool in our first work. Here you got it: http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=130058