Anna Cliff ord, Ed.D.EDU555/Science & Social Studies

Spring 2011

Webquest … a teaching tool

What is a Webquest?

Webquest Assignment Web - learn about and/or synthesize

knowledge of a specific topicBernie Dodge and Tom March

Original - required synthesis of the new knowledge by accomplishing a “task,” often to solve a hypothetical problem or address a real-world issue

Created –Webpage OR multi-media software OR

Bernie Dodge 1995

Blog post: 2008http://webquest.ning.com/forum/topics/2025678:Topic:75

“I think Web 2.0 tools offer great opportunities to enhance WebQuests. The collaborative nature of Web 2.0 applications offer so many opportunities for tasks to be taken to a whole new level. For example, I look back at the very first WebQuest I wrote way back in 1997 (Radio Days - http://www.thematzats.com/radio), and with the Web 2.0 tools available now, this WebQuest could really be amazing. Students could create podcasts and get feedback from real listeners all over the world. WebQuests and Web 2.0 are definitely complementary, at least from my small perspective.”

Why Bother?

Stimulates learningPuts power of the web behind topicWorks at their own pace - individually/teams Explores areas in more depth, but within

limits that - differentiationTeaches value of research - modeling Increases "comfort level”

Characteristics - Making it successful?

Curriculum based Content in context—topic as part of a larger

framework“Hook” - (e.g., treasure hunt, a game, or some other

activity which is embedded in the Webquest - incentives)Material is age/ability appropriate—differentiationCan be collaborative—individually or teamsHighly visual—lots of pictures, maps, animations,

soundsUser friendly—smooth navigationBuilt-in evaluation mechanism—relates to the hook,

AND more!

Webquest search …

Let’s browse the Web for Webquests!

Before you Begin

Thoughts of design –1. Are the concepts and skills TN Curriculum

Standards-based? Across the curriculum?2. What do I want my students to learn as a

result of this lesson? 3. Why is this information important?4. Where does the information fit into the

specific context of this unit?

Limitations - Operating constraints?

Number of computers – teams? individually? Computer lab - lab rules doable Work at home -parents support and supervise

Remember Murphy’s law, and anticipate the unexpected!

Webquest Elements

1. Introduction2. The Task3. The Process4. Evaluation5. Conclusion6. Credits & References

7. Teacher or Student

Introduction

Short paragraph introduces the activity or lesson

Role or scenario involved (e.g., "You are a detective trying to identify the mysterious poet.") then here is where you'll set the stage (This is a must!)

Purpose - to prepare and hook the readerCommunicates the Big Question

The Task

Describe crisply and clearly what the end result of the learners' activities will be

The task could be a: problem or mystery to be solved position to be formulated and defended product to be designed complexity to be analyzed

Final product involves using some tech tool (e.g., Audioboo, Glogster), mention it here – JobAid!

The Process

What steps should the learners go through? Use the numbered list format. Student - use second personThoughts –

Teams of three students will be chosen.... Once you've picked a role to play....

Access on-line resources identified – hyperlinks?Provide guidance on organization of information

gathered (e.g., flowcharts, summary tables, concept maps, checklist of questions to analyze the information with, or things to notice or think about). Important!

What about using JobAids?

Evaluation

Describe to the learners how performance will be evaluated

Specify whether there will be a common grade for group work vs. individual grades

Include detailed rubric students

Conclusion

Summarize what they will have accomplished or learned by completing this activity or lesson

Include some rhetorical questions or additional links - encourage them to extend thinking into other content beyond this lesson

Credits & References

List here the sources of any images, music or text that you're using.

Provide links back to the original source. Say thanks to anyone who provided resources or help.

List any books and other analog media that you used as information sources as well.

… and Teacher or Student?

Search Begins - Locating Materials

Research by Wandering Around Locate one Website for your topic that you like,

review the references - mining Structured Researching

Uses search engines…searching

Organizing Your Sites

Common themes or contrasts your Webquest could incorporate

Different opinions, approaches, or perspectives on the topic

Students move logically from one site to another –must plan and follow through

Packaging Your Quest

Templates Filamentality Teacherwebquest    Webquest Simple Tool Blogs2Teach tool

Weebly http://weebly.com Create and login your account

Test and Tweak! What if …

they want more – Give them more! they don’t get it – they get bored – they can’t follow the directions –they don’t remember anything once the

computer is turned off – the computers don’t work – a site is down –

Presenting Students’ Results (rubric, please)

Students learn in different ways“Real world” task that students try to accomplish

a presentation to the board of directors of the Art Museum a design for a war memorial

Requires students – take new knowledge and synthesize it into a “product” of some kind

Provide opportunities for students to show their strengths by taking different roles within their group or different project options: written projects, such as e-reports, e-booklets multimedia presentations visual/artistic displays or e-posters

Provide a clear rubric of the expectations for the different options (search the web for examples)

References

http://www.internet4classrooms.com

Bernie Dodge Webquest:\blogs and wikis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWi2kHD-Kw0 Webquest Pitfalls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yfo8B3PdmI-----and search more “Bernie Dodge” at http://youtube.com

Ready? Let’s go Webquesting!

http://weebly.comCreate an account OR Log in your account (hide pages, as needed)

Create title page and pages for each Webquest Element, using hyperlinks (suggested)OR

Create a page which included and components

You Are the Designer

1. Webquest2. Student Sample Suggestion: (Glogster, Audioboo, Prezi,

Kidspiration (software is available), Voki)OR take a look at Top 10 Web2.0 Tools for the Classroom(http://murcha.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/hers)

Take a jump!

Webquesting?

?