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Creating Successful WebQuests

Creating Successful WebQuests. What is inquiry-based learning?. Learning that involves exploring the world, making discoveries, testing those discoveries, in the search for new understanding.

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Creating Successful WebQuests

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  1. Creating Successful WebQuests

  2. What is inquiry-based learning? • Learning that involves exploring the world, making discoveries, testing those discoveries, in the search for new understanding. • Traditional education discourages the natural process of inquiry. Students learn not to ask too many questions, and instead are asked to repeat expected answers.

  3. Closed system Emphasis on facts Resources limited to classroom Questions “outside the box” are put off Assessment on retained knowledge Open system Emphasis on learning Resources are open-ended Explore all questions that may come up Assessment on all steps of the process Traditional vs. Inquiry-based

  4. Advantages of Inquiry Based Learning • Helps students identify and refine their “real” questions into learning opportunities • Validates the experience and knowledge that all students bring to the learning process • Awakens confidence, interest, and self esteem of students • Well-suited to collaborative learning environments • Can work with any age group

  5. What’s important • Change from a focus from what we know to how we know. • Give kids a desire to raise questions and continue looking for answers throughout life • Internet can be overwhelming. Our task is to help kids understand how to make sense of the information.

  6. What is the teacher’s role? • Facilitator of learning - ask questions that lead to more questions • Think about purpose and make plans • Constantly be alert to obstacles

  7. Essential Questions "Schools often engage students in collecting answers, in accumulating information. But essential questions require that students spend time pondering the meaning and importance of information." from “Trivial Pursuit to Essential Questions and Standards-Based Learning” http://www.fno.org/feb01/pl.html

  8. What is a WebQuest? • An inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web. WebQuests are designed to use learners’ time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners’ thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. (Bernie Dodge)

  9. Why WebQuests? • Offers exposure to different viewpoints that are usually needed to construct meaning on complex topics. • Allows students to benefit from being linked to a variety of web resources so they can explore and make sense of issues. • Involves or places students in situations which compel them to read, speak, listen, think and write.

  10. WebQuest vs. Other Web-based Activities • Subject Sampler • Includes a smaller number of links (3-5) organized around a main topic. Students do, read, or see something at each site and are asked to respond to it by carrying out activities. • Treasure Hunt • Contains a collection of links (8-12) essential to understanding a given topic. One key question is posed for each link. A culminating “big question” gives students the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the topic.

  11. Characteristics of Effective WebQuests • Increases student motivation • Authenticity • Develops critical thinking skills • Cooperative learning • Technology integration

  12. Parts of a WebQuestCritical • Introduction • Task • Process • Resources • Evaluation • Conclusion

  13. Parts of a WebQuest- Non-critical • Group Activities • Motivational Elements • Role to play • Scenario to work within • Single discipline or Interdisciplinary

  14. Introduction • A concise paragraph or two that supplies students with background information and motivation for completing the project. • Includes a question that students will ponder. • Example- Rock the Vote • http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/lewis/rock/index.html#Introduction

  15. Task • Provides a clear outline of what students will accomplish • The task is considered the single most important part of a WebQuest. • Task categories- retelling, compilation, mystery, journalistic, design, creative product, consensus building, persuasion, self-knowledge, analytical, judgement, scientific • Example-Tail of 2 Millenniums • http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/ofarrell/calendars

  16. Process • A detailed, step by step guide each student team follows to accomplish the task, complete with Web links embedded in each step. • Example- An Insect’s Perspective • http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/grant/insects

  17. Resources • Contains a list of the information sources (Web sites, print books, magazines, atlases, etc.) students should use to complete the task.

  18. Evaluation • A rubric that evaluates the work of each student team and should relate specifically to the central task. • Example- A New Twist on an Old Tale • http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/as/education/projects/webquests/cinderella

  19. Conclusion • Wraps up the activity and gives students a chance to reflect on what they’ve learned. • Example- Finding the Lighthouse Diamond Thief • http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/kroc/scimethod

  20. Activity • Examining WebQuest Scenarios • Take Me on Vacation! http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/as/education/projects/webquests/vacation • Let’s Have a Field Day! http://www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/sbcss/services/educational/cctechnology/webquest/fieldday.html • DNA for Dinner? http://www.gis.net/~peacewp/webquest.htm • Look Who’s Footing the Bill! http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/democracy/debtquest.html

  21. Finding Existing WebQuests • Search Bernie Dodge’s WebQuest Site http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/matrix.html • Tom March’s Best WebQuestshttp://bestwebquests.com • Knowledge Network Explorer Search http://www.kn.pacbell.com/kne_search.html • GEC Computers in the Classroom WebQuest Locator http://www.gecdsb.on.ca/d&g/DP/main.htm • edHelper.com- Lesson Plans and WebQuests http://edhelper.com/cat311.htm

  22. Evaluating WebQuests • Some rubrics for evaluating WebQuests • WebQuest Rubric http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquestrubric.html • Ozline WebQuest Rubric http://www.ozline.com/webquests/rubric.html • WebQuest Evaluation Form http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/webquestrubric.htm

  23. Contact Information Sun Associates Suite 216 55 Middlesex Street N. Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01863 www.sun-associates.com 978-251-1600 978-251-8700 fax Kerry McLaughlin- kmclaughlin@sun-associates.com

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