WebQuests

1. WebQuests IT 544 Self-Chosen Project by Shelby Bruyn

2. What is a WebQuest? • A WebQuest is an inquiry based research assignment that is completed online. Books and other media (film clips, audio, etc.) can also be used, but all independent research is done via the internet. • A WebQuest begins with a question, task, or problem, then students are sent on an online “quest” to find answers. • A WebQuest requires higher order thinking, not just summarizing facts or data. Students are usually asked to synthesize, analyze, problem solve, and create new produts.

3. How does it work? Teachers assign WebQuests to students, using a classroom website, blog, or Wiki, or a word document. WebQuests have six parts: • Introduction • Task • Process • Resources • Evaluation • Conclusion All components of the WebQuestare created ahead of time by the teacher, to accommodate course objectives. The web resources are pre-selected and provided by the teacher in order to ensure accurate data.

4. Who uses WebQuests? • WebQuests are commonly used in Social Studies/History classes, but could be adapted for any content area. • Most already made WebQuests found online are categorized for students in grades 6-8 or 9-12, but components of the projects could be modified for younger learners.

5. How can I create a WebQuest? There are many online resources and tools available to create your own webquest, here are a few: QuestGarden http://questgarden.com/ This online tool provides step-by-step directions for creating a WebQuest, then hosts completed assignments on their website. Filamentality http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/ “Filamentality is a fill-in-the-blank tool that guides you through picking a topic, searching the Internet, gathering good Internet links” zWebQuest http://www.zunal.com/ “zWebQuest is a web based software for creating WebQuests in a short time.”

6. Where can I find created WebQuests? Many teachers upload their created WebQuests to hosting websites, allowing other educators (like you!) to use them in their own classroom. Here are a few great resources: • Quest Garden • Teacher Web • Zunal

7. Examples There are many great WebQuests already developed and ready for use, to get a feel for a WebQuest and follow along with a sample assignment, select an interest area below: • U.S. History (grades 9-12) • Ancient History (grades 6-8) • Geography (grades 3-5)

8. U.S. History WebQuest: Introduction What if JFK had not been assassinated during his first term? This project lets students examine the events of Kennedy’s presidency through the use of an imaginary re-election campaign. Students will use historical information garnered from internet sources to form their arguments. Grade: 9-12History Created by Amber Dudley, Jacksonville State University

9. U.S. History WebQuest: Task Objective: Students will be able to identify strengths and weaknesses in political campaigns and commercialsto analyze important information concerning the Kennedy era. After analyzing the provided information on the Kennedy administration, students will analyze whether they think a John F. Kennedy re-election campaign would have been successful. In partners or groups of 3, students will write a response paper and create a 3-5 minute media presentation of the group's choice (examples: pod cast, music video, commercial). Created by Amber Dudley, Jacksonville State University

10. U.S. History WebQuest: Process The following sites are approved by the instructor for research use. Groups may only use other sources if approved by the instructor. The sources found below provide speeches, videos and other informational research associated with the presidency of John F. Kennedy. • C-SPAN archival records • http://www.americanpresidents.org/presidents/president.asp?PresidentNumber=34 • The History Channel • http://www.history.com/topics/john-f-kennedy • The Official White House website • http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/johnfkennedy • The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum • http://www.jfklibrary.org/ • CIA information concerning the Bay of Pigs operation • http://www.foia.cia.gov/bay_of_pigs.asp • The Official CIA website • https://www.cia.gov/ Created by Amber Dudley, Jacksonville State University

11. U.S. History WebQuest: Evaluation Created by Amber Dudley, Jacksonville State University

12. U.S. History WebQuest: Conclusion John F. Kennedy's presidency is interesting in that it was shortened by the loss of his life. The assassination of altered the way in which President Kennedy is viewed. By researching the facts and examining other possibilities we can better understand  the impact of President Kennedy as a leader. Created by Amber Dudley, Jacksonville State University

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14. Geography WebQuest: Introduction Ever wondered where the mountains, rivers and lakes were in Arizona?  The state has many different types of terrains and it is a very diverse state.  Do you know where everything is located in our state?  Did you know that we have deserts and forests here too? Grade: 3-5 Social Studies Created by Marcia Smith, Grand Canyon University

15. Geography WebQuest: Task It is your job to create a map of the state of Arizona, it should include the rivers, lakes, mountain ranges, cities and deserts. Be sure to label surrounding states. Make sure to include all of this in your map and check the rubric to make sure that you have everything that is needed for this assignment.  Created by Marcia Smith, Grand Canyon University

16. Geography WebQuest: Process • Step 1: Take your paper with the blank map of Arizona written on it and start to label the mountain ranges, deserts, forests, lakes and rivers.  Be sure to carefully draw and use colored pencils to shade them in. All labeling should be done in black ink. • Step 2: Label major cities on the map, making sure to include Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and Flagstaff. Make sure to label them in black ink and put a dot where the city is to be.  Then make sure that you label the neighboring states. • Step 3: Go back to the websites and look at the map and compare it with your map that you created. Is your map correct?  If not correct your map and make sure that all rivers, lakes, mountains and cities are correctly labeled. Did you label neighboring states?  If not, make sure that you do. Is your map colored correctly?  Brown for mountains, blue for rivers and lakes and green for forested areas?  Resources: www.freeworldmaps.net/unitedstates/arizona http://geology.com/state-map/arizona.shtml Created by Marcia Smith, Grand Canyon University

17. Geography WebQuest: Evaluation Created by Marcia Smith, Grand Canyon University

18. Geography WebQuest: Conclusion Now that you have checked your map and are certain that everything is labeled, colored correctly and it is neat it is time to turn your map in.  If your neighbor is struggling with their map, please give them suggestions or help them find a map that will complete their map.  Do not do the map for them, but help them find things.  Created by Marcia Smith, Grand Canyon University

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20. Ancient WebQuest: Introduction Students will learn about Ancient Egypt and how the Egyptians lived. For this WebQuest students are to create articles for a newspaper, The Daily Desert. Articles will focus on activities and important people that existed during this very interesting period in history. Grade: 6-8Social Studies Language Arts Created by Simone Lefebvre, Azusa Pacific University

21. Ancient WebQuest: Task • Students will get in groups of four and create an ancient newspaper. They will begin by choosing and researching one of four topics which include: • Cleopatra advice column (Dear Abby of ancient times)  • "What Would You Take?" (Burial practices) • Queen Hatshepsut (female role-model)  • Pyramid Real Estate  • After selecting a role, students will develop an article that is creative, informative, and engaging.  Students must be able to validate their information based on historical and factual resources. Created by Simone Lefebvre, Azusa Pacific University

22. Ancient WebQuest: Process • Part 1:  Research/ Individual Article Assignments.  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/primary_sources_01.shtml • http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/ • http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/180468/ancient-Egypt/22286/Sources-calendars-and-chronology • http://www.historywiz.com/anc-egypt.htm • Part 2.  Writing the Articles. The article should be creative as well as educational.  Include an illustration or visual aid. • Part 3.Combine Newspaper with Groupmates Add the finishing touches to your copy of The Daily Desert. Created by Simone Lefebvre, Azusa Pacific University

23. Ancient WebQuest: Evaluation Created by Simone Lefebvre, Azusa Pacific University

24. Ancient WebQuest: Conclusion After completing this project it is my hope that you learned some interesting facts from a fascinating culture, while at the same time getting a feel for what it would be like to be a journalist.  There were many brilliant and wondrous things happening during this period in history.  It is a very fun and interesting time to explore. Thank you for being such diligent and creative journalists! Created by Simone Lefebvre, Azusa Pacific University

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