Using WEBQUESTS as Meaningful Reading Material

Adapted from a PowerPoint presentation developed by

Kristin Johnson

What is a WEBQUEST?

• “A WebQuest is 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.

• The model was developed in early 1995 at San Diego State University by Bernie Dodge with Tom March.

• While varying widely in content and skills stressed, by definition all WebQuests share a similar structure:

Introduction:
     • Should orient the learner to what is coming
     • Should raise some interest in the learner through a variety of means

Task:
     • A description of what the learner will have done at the end of the       exercise.
     • Product could be a Hyper Studio stack, PowerPoint presentation, or it       might be a verbal act, such as being able to explain a specific topic.
     • Examples of many task-types, and WebQuest examples:        http://webquest.sdsu.edu/taskonomy.html

Process:
     • Lets the learners know the process to go through to accomplish the       task
     • Clearly described steps (with detail for each group member)
     • Can also provide learning advice

Resources:
     • A list of pre-selected web pages which the instructor has located
       that will help the learner complete the task
     • May include resources not on the Internet

Evaluation:
     • Outlines how participants will be evaluated
     • Evaluation rubrics designed or modified by the teacher are the most      authentic assessment

Conclusion:
     • Brings closure to the Quest
     • Reminds the learners of what they have learned
     • Encourages them to extend the experience to other domains
     • For discussion of each component and exemplary examples, check       out:
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/buildingblocks/p-index.htm

How do the goals of WEBQUESTS align w/ EALRS?

Well-constructed WebQuests:
     • Elicit thinking in learners that goes beyond rote memorization
     • Challenge learners to use newly acquired knowledge to construct       meaning on a complex topic
     • Go beyond copy/paste, asking learners to write for a variety of       purposes and audiences

EALR Writing and Reading Goals:
     2. The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and        purposes.
     3. The student understands and uses the steps of the writing process.
     4. The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of written
        work.
     1. The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to        read.
     3. The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.
       AND any content area EALRs imbedded in the quest itself!

How do teachers use WebQuests effectively in class?

Then

Instructional Considerations

Do your students know how to work in groups?
      •http://members.rogers.com/c-hoice/guidelines.htm
       Practical tips for working effectively in a group learning situation
     •http://www.flinders.edu.au/teach/teach/groupwork.htm
        Teacher considerations when using groups
     •http://www.polyu.edu.hk/learn-to-learn/student/html/ GroupProject/basicElements.htm
       The 5Rs for successful group work (in student language;
       designed to be a handout!)
Do your students have presentation or public speaking training      •http://www.school-for-champions.com/speaking.htm
       Online modules for students
     • http://www.bradford.ac.uk/acad/civeng/skills/pubspeak.htm
       Tips for students – speaking anxiety
     • http://www.abacon.com/pubspeak/
       Help in writing speeches; scroll to the end for a PP you can use
        to teach your students about effective presentation skills

Presentation Ideas:(Imagine the possibilities.)

One group at a time to the entire class might take too long or demand equipment you don’t have. What are some other options?

     • Round Robin w/whole class follow-up
     • Pair & Share w/whole class follow-up
     • Brag Time to…(janitor, secretary, principal, parents, etc.)

How will you assess learning?

     • By definition, good WebQuests include this information.
     • Students generally produce a product that can be scored by
       points or a rubric. (usually included)
     • Students may also present information for a grade
     • An excellent activity for self-assessment
     • Arrange “check ups” along the way to completion so you can
       see gaps while you can still address them.
     •Give a more traditional test; did they learn the target material?

Low Risk Ways to Try Webquesting

Where do I look for WebQuests?

     •http://www.ouc.bc.ca/tltc/tr/webquest/default.htm
       Teaching Learning & Technology Centre sorts WebQuests by
       topic and grade level (LOTS of other resources here, too)
     •http://www.edhelper.com/cat311.htm
       Examples from all levels and content areas
     •projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/buildingblocks/p-index.htm
       Explains purpose of each part of a WebQuest including exemplary
       models
     •http://webquest.sdsu.edu/taskonomy.html
       Ideas for types of tasks with exemplary models
     •Search engine search (Google or Metacrawler)
       Just type in subject and term webquest

Happy Questing!!

http://www.marcopolo-education.org/home.aspx

Seven content Web sites with lesson plans, student interactive content, downloadable worksheets, links to panel-reviewed Web sites and additional resources created by the nation’s leading education organizations:

Arts Edge from the Kennedy Center; EconEdLink from the National Council on Economic Education; EdSiteMent from National Endowment for the Humanities; Illuminations from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; ReadWriteThink from National Council of Teachers of English; Science NetLinks from American Assocation for the Advancement of Science; Xpedition from National Geographic


http://www.score.k12.ca.us/
Schools of California Online Resources for Education provides resources for the major content areas. One highlight is CyberGuides, supplementary, standards-based, Web-delivered units of instruction related to literature. Each CyberGuide contains a student and teacher edition, standards, a task and a process by which it may be completed, teacher-selected Web sites and a rubric.