WebQuests - Definition & History
Working at San Diego state University in 1995, Bernie
Dodge and Tom
March developed a set of lesson plans which they named
"WebQuest". These lessons focused on Internet resources and required
upper level thinking skills. Students are presented with a problem
usually in the form of a task. A list of resources is presented. This
list includes Internet and print resources, but it relies chiefly on
the Interenet resources. Students work in teams and specific roles
are sometimes assigned.
Parts of a WebQuest
Lessons which follow the WebQuest format include these specific
sections.
- An introduction - This section gives the background for
the the problem
- A task or problem for students to solve - It should be
something of interest to the student.
- A list of resources - This includes, but is not limited
to online resources. The purpose of the specific set of resources
is to make the best use of the student's time. Students don't
usually search for online resources while doing a WebQuest.
- A description of the process students should use to
accomplish the task - Roles may be assigned and the steps are
clearly defined.
- An evaluation of the WebQuest - As with the pocess,
this should be clearly defined.
- A conclusion - This step allows students to extend
their learning to other situations.
- A section of information for the teacher is optional -
This gives the teacher some additional information which helps in
the administation of the lesson.
This list was adapted from Carmen Gonzales' WebQuests:
What Are They?
List of Resources explaining the WebQuest process
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In the last four years WebQuests have become very popular learning
activities. This is a list of WebQuests I found which relate to the
environment or have some element which would be particularly helpful.
There are many more available.
Mission
Possible - Gulf Water Monitoring
- This WebQuest is designed for high school students. It is
designed to assist students in researching the water quality of
the Gulf of Mexico. The roles of the team members are very
specific and each member also has a different end product. It also
contains a good rubric. Sharon
Flanagan is the author.
-
The
Very Hungry Catapillar - A Miraculous Metamorphosis
- This is a WebQuest designed for third through fifth graders.
The Introduction is based on The Very Hungary Catapillar by
Eric Carle. It includes a variety of tasks, and is very well done.
Alexis Diel and Patricia
Fraser are the authors.
-
Will
That Volcano Spoil Our Party
- This WebQuest is a simulation of a report on the danger of a
volcanic eruption on a Caribbean Island. The students research
volcanos and produce a multimedia presentation. The author,
Bill Byles,
includes specific technology instructions to aid students in their
quest.
Let's
Have a Field Day
- This is a fun project which chalenges students to plan the
annual Field Day. Their tasks include researching local parks and
choosing one which best meets their needs, estimating the cost of
using that facility, and making a map and model of the park. There
is a very interesting "Learning Advice" section . Noelle Kreider
is the author.
-
Zelda's
Zany Zoo
This project challenges students to create new exhibits for a
faltering zoo. Students research animals and their habitats to
doscover if they could live in a zoo in their own neighborhood.
This is a new twist on the ever popular student animal research
project. This includes an excellent "Notes to Teachers" section.
Pat Bower is the author.
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ConclusionConclusion