Exploring WebQuests

As teachers, we're looking for ways to integrate technology into our curriculum. Bernie Dodge from San Diego State University developed a teaching strategy called WebQuest, that can help teachers achieve that goal. The use of WebQuest opens the possibility of involving students in online investigations without requiring students to spend time searching for relevant materials. The use of WebQuest is to plan and implement learning experiences with teacher identified relevant and credible web sites with which the students can work confidently. In this lesson, through readings, videos, and discussions we're going to learn more about WebQuests. We'll share with our classmates what and how WebQuests might work with our students and also address concerns we might have about successfully using them. We'll also evaluate a WebQuest using a rubric. This same rubric will eventually be used to evaluate the WebQuest you will create at the end of this unit. Finally in this lesson, you'll begin the process of implementing and integrating WebQuests into your curriculum when you decide on at least three goals that you want your students to accomplish in a WebQuest. Why do you want to use WebQuests?

Learning Outcomes for this lesson:

1. Explain the characteristics of an effective WebQuest.

This lesson will also focus on the following National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers:

# 1 PLANNING AND DESIGNING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND EXPERIENCES.
Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers:
1. design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.
3. identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.
4. plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.
5. plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology-enhanced environment.

# 2 TEACHING, LEARNING, AND THE CURRICULUM.
Teachers implement curriculum plans, that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning. Teachers:
1. facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.
2. use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
3. apply technology to develop students' higher order skills and creativity.
4. manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment.

Let's begin by watching a video that briefly introduces us to WebQuests. To watch this video, you will first need to log in to http://www.unitedstreaming.com After you have successfully accessed the site, you can click on the title of the movie to watch it.

• Using WebQuests to Perform Research on the Internet
• Now watch another video clip where a teacher is using a WebQuest in her classroom. Pay attention to how students work in groups during the WebQuest. What do you see as the role of the teacher in this learning strategy?
  Designing and Using WebQuests

Next, let's learn more about WebQuests by reading the following articles. Simply click on the hyperlink to access the articles. You may need to know your User ID/password to access EBSCOhost. Check with your teacher librarian, local AEA, or public librarian for that information.

• The Learning Power of WebQuests. By: March, Tom. Educational Leadership, Dec2003, Vol. 61 Issue 4, p42-47, 6p, 2c, 1bw; (AN 11863707) Focuses on the WebQuest, a model for integrating the use
  of the Web in classroom activities. Description of a real WebQuest; Use of Internet resources; Learning strategies used by WebQuests. (Make sure you understand the part scaffolding plays in the WebQuest learning structure.)
• 'I Guess It Was Pretty Fun' Using WebQuests in the Middle School Classroom. Source: Clearing House; Jan/Feb2003, Vol. 76 Issue 3, p152, 4p. Focuses on the use of WebQuest online courses in middle
  school education. Role of technology in the study of the Civil War at middle schools; Description of WebQuests; Ways that middle school social studies teachers can harness the power of Internet technology and integrate it into their instruction. (This article provides some great suggestions for teachers.)
• Reading, Technology, and Inquiry-based Learning Through Literature-Rich WebQuests. By: Teclehaimanot, Berhane; Lamb, Annette. Reading Online, Mar2004, p10-21, 12p; (AN 13515489) The use of technology in teaching and learning can help bring reading alive for children and young adults. This article focuses on how a technology-rich environment can facilitate the reading experience and help students meet challenging standards while addressing essential questions that bring meaning to learning. Through the use of Internet-based WebQuests, students engage in problem solving, information processing, and collaboration. When these WebQuests are literature based, books become the focal point for reading-centered learning activities. The article describes creation of original WebQuests, but also explores how teachers can locate, evaluate, adapt,and integrate existing resources.
• WebQuest: A Strategy for teaching SOSE Online. By: Faichney, Gavin. Ethos P-6, 2002 Term 1, Vol. 10 Issue 1, p9, 3p, 1 chart; (AN 6650679) Discusses the concept of using a WebQuest Internet resource as a strategy for teaching. Person who developed the concept; Online problems that are overcome with the use of WebQuest; Summary of the process involved in the development of WebQuest.
• 'The 3 R's of WebQuests'. By: March, Tom. Multimedia Schools, Nov/Dec2000, Vol. 7 Issue 6, p62, 2p; (AN 3764617) Presents recommendations for using the Internet to enhance the educational experience. Assessment of Internet-based learning resources based on content authenticity, quality and relevance; Development of Web projects that encourage critical thinking and creativity; Involvement of healthy portions of professional reflection and student feedback.
• 'WebQuests 101'. By: March, Tom. Multimedia Schools, Oct2000, Vol. 7 Issue 5, p55, 3p, 1 chart; (AN 3663276) Offers tips on choosing and assessing WebQuests, the most popular approach to integrating the Web in classroom learning. Helping teachers and students translate educational theories into classroom practices; Etiquette in posting WebQuests and adaptations on the Web.

For additional information about WebQuests visit these online sites:

• Some thoughts about WebQuests: http://webquest.sdsu.edu/about_webquests.html
• WebQuest Training Materials: There's much information on this page. http://webquest.sdsu.edu/materials.htm
  • Be sure to visit the Education World site: Interview with Bernie Dodge, Creating a WebQuest
  • WebQuests in Our Future by Kathy Schrock,
  • WebQuest Design Process.
• WebQuest 101: http://www.teachersfirst.com/summer/webquest/quest-a.shtml
• Ozline.com - WebQuests and More

Another good way to learn about WebQuests is to examine existing WebQuests. Choose at least three WebQuests that appeal to you (by topic or grade level) to examine. As you examine the WebQuests, make notes about specific aspects of the WebQuests that you like and about what will work well in your classroom with students. These WebQuests will serve as models when you build your own WebQuest. Bookmark them in your browser. This activity will also be helpful when you share ideas with your classmates.

• Matrix of WebQuest Examples: http://webquest.org On the left side of the screen click on Find Web Quests. Next search using the curriculum/grade level matrix.
• WebQuest Overview: http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/webquests.html
• Spartanburg Schools Teacher Designed WebQuests: http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/WebQuests.html
• WebQuests Examples and Resources: http://www.biopoint.com/WebQuests/wqlists.html

  As a way to review all of the information covered, view the PowerPoint on WebQuests. (You may need to adjust the size of the presentation in order to read it.)

Now let's evaluate a WebQuest using a rubric. This same rubric will be used to evaluate your WebQuest at the end of the WebQuest unit. Again, this activity will be useful when you share your ideas about WebQuests with your classmates. What worked with this WebQuest? What do you feel could be improved?

The rubric can be found at: http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestrubric.html

Let's find out a little more about the WebQuest by watching a short video clip about the WebQuest. Once again, you will need to log in to http://www.unitedstreaming.com before you can access the video.

Classroom Profile: Integrating the Internet Into Science Projects on Acid Rain.

The WebQuest can be found online at: http://www.swlauriersb.qc.ca/english/edservices/pedresources/webquest/rainwq.htm

Idea Sharing: Using the blog created for this class, share what you like about WebQuests and any ideas you have for using in them in your classroom OR describe an aspect of WebQuests you think will be particularly difficult to implement in your classroom and why you think so. Respond to at least two other posts. Each week you will be expected to respond to questions posed by your instructor and also respond to your classmates as well. A rubric will be used to assess your responses as well as your weekly assignment that will be submitted to your instructor. (See #8) Weekly assignments and postings to the blog discussion will count as 50% pf your grade.

Using what you have learned about WebQuests, submit at least three goals that you want your students to accomplish in a WebQuest. You might want to target higher order thinking skills or you might want target specific content knowledge. Email these goals to your instructor as an attachment in an email. Use Word or create a PDF document as the format to submit your assignments.