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WebQuest!? What's that?
You've probably arrived at this page because you've heard of WebQuest, but don't really know what it is. This page will lead you through a scanning activity that will help you get a better idea of what WebQuest is and how it might apply to a classroom situation.
This activity
can be done individually or in a group. Be sure to get together as a team
(the group of students and the teacher) once everyone is finished with
the activity to compare your thoughts about this activity.
This "scanning" activity is just that. A quick scan of three WebQuests that shouldn't take you longer than about 30 minutes. The goal of this activity is to expose you to the concept of WebQuest. You won't actually do a WebQuest or learn how to create one. That will come later if you decide that WebQuest is for you (see the note below).
Teachers: as you scan these WebQuests, try to answer the following questions.
- How are WebQuests different from other activities you do with your classes?
- Is WebQuest the kind of activity you have in mind for your classes?
- Is WebQuest the most suitable method for meeting the learning goal(s) you have in mind?
Students: as you scan these WebQuests, try to answer the following questions.
- Do you think it would be both fun and educational to do a WebQuest?
- How is WebQuest different than other things you do in class?
- What are some similarities and differences between each of the WebQuests you scanned?
Below are some WebQuests that you can scan. Scan no more than three. Spend no more than 7 minutes looking at any one of the WebQuests. Resist the urge to "surf" links on these WebQuests. You'll go way over time if you do. Instead, keep your questions in mind and focus!
Remember that the § symbol in front of the links means that the WebQuest will open in a new browser window. Just close that window to return to this web page.
- WebQuest: §DNA for Dinner?
- WebQuest: §Searching for China
- WebQuest: §Dolphin Safe Tuna?
- WebQuest: §Yellowstone Wolf Conflict
- WebQuest: §Radio Days
Once you've finished with this Scanning activity, get back together with the entire team (students and teacher) for about 10 minutes to share your thoughts about WebQuest. This is actually the most crucial part of this scanning activity, so don't skip it. Consider the note below as part of your discussion.
An important
link to WebQuest training is found to the left of the note
below. Don't miss it!
Note:
WebQuest is a special kind of Internet activity that's only right in certain
situations. You
might be having second thoughts about whether or not the idea you had
in mind for a class activity is suitable for WebQuest. Don't worry! Not
every lesson plan can be (or, in fact, should be) implemented using WebQuest.
If you are
having second thoughts, take a look at some other kinds of Internet
activities developed by Tom March. You may just discover one of these
other activities is a better fit for what you had in mind. Or, maybe you
need to adjust your learning goals if you're certain you want to use the
WebQuest concept. You'll learn how to do this later in the planning stages.
As you may have noticed, WebQuests take some real effort to create. Don't give up just because it will take work. A high quality WebQuest is a real asset to a teacher's instructional toolbox.
Students--you'll learn a lot about web page design and construction if you stick with this project.
On the other hand, don't waste everyone's time and energy trying to force a lesson to be a WebQuest if it isn't really an appropriate format for your activity.
If you think that WebQuest is right for you, then it's time to examine the concept more closely by learning some more.
Spider
graphics
courtesy of
§Lisa
Konrad.
This
web page
created on
July 10, 1999
and
last updated on
January 6, 2003.
©
1999-2003
David L. Young