An Internet WebQuest on WebQuests
created by The
Seekers
EDCI 4993, Fall
2000
Introduction | The Task | The Process & Resources | Conclusion
created by The
Seekers
EDCI 4993, Fall
2000
Introduction | The Task | The Process & Resources | Conclusion
Our society has gone from the one room schoolhouse to the one computer classroom--sometimes more. Many teachers don't know how to use that computer most effectively to benefit the greatest number of students. In this WebQuest will use the power of teamwork and the Internet to learn all about WebQuests and how you can create differentiated and independent learning in your classroom. Each person on your team will learn one piece of the puzzle and then you will come together to get a better understanding of the topic.
What's so different about WebQuests? To help shape your ideas into a solid answer, you'll look at the questions from four different roles, then combine what you know into an argument that persuades your school system to consider this learning tool.You may communicate your ideas the best way you see fit. Perhaps you will create a PowerPoint presentation or post a Web page? Maybe you'll write new policy for a school or school system and post it to the discussion board and presenting it to the class? Let your creativity and best thinking guide your choices and final product.
The main thing is that you and your teammates achieve a well-thought out answer to the question above and that you get feedback on your ideas from someone in the real world.
In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore web pages about WebQuests.You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic.
Use the Internet information linked below to explore the basics of WebQuests and the uses for teachers and students.* Bernie Dodge, the creator of WebQuests, gives his advice at WebQuests
* How WebQuests fit into higher order thinking.
* Kathy Schrock's guide to WebQuests.
INSTRUCTIONS:1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.
2. Read through the files linked to your group. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.
3. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.
Student
The role of the student is to help the WebQuest team understand the relevance of WebQuests for learners. How different is a WebQuest anyway? Go as far as you can because this will help your team make the most informed answer to the Question. Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to the Student:Questions
1. Why should teachers use WebQuests with their students?
2. What are the educational benefits of WebQuests for students?
3. How is learning from WebQuests different from using the Internet or traditional resources for research?New Mexico State University, Student WebQuests
Matrix of Examples, from Kindergarten through College
UCI Summer Science Institute
WebQuest on Democracy and the National DebtTeacher
The role of teachers in the creation of WebQuests is to be an eager participant in learning this dynamic method of enriching education. The teacher should collect information from the WWW on various topics covered in their classes. The teacher should then create WebQuests for their students.Questions:
1. How does a teacher create a WebQuest?
2. What are the building blocks of WebQuests?
3. How does a teacher find WebQuests on the WWW?WebQuests in Our Future
Teaching with WebQuests
The Student WebQuest
Web Quest Design
WebQuest Templates
Math WebQuestsTechnology Coordinator
The role of the technology coordinator is to share information with teachers within their school about the importance of creating WebQuests, and share literature which illustrates the benefits of WebQuests. The technology coordinator should also be available to the teachers to walk them through the creation of WebQuests, or provide enough online tutorials to the teachers that they are able to create their own.Questions:
1. Why should technology coordinators help teachers with WebQuests?
2. How should technology coordinators instruct teachers on building their own WebQuests?
3. What steps should technology coordinators take in teaching teachers about WebQuests?WebQuests in the Middle School Curriculum
WebQuest Taskonomy
AEA 7 Teacher WebQuests
EdHelper.com
Designing OnLine Curriculum
Yahoo WebQuest Page
WebQuests in our Future
The WebQuest Page
Teaching with WebQuestsPrincipal
The role of the principal is to provide supportive literature on WebQuests to both the technology coordinators and teachers within their school. The principal should also communicate with other schools in the district to determine if creating WebQuests should be done on the district level.Questions:
1. Why should the principal support the creation of WebQuests in his/her school?
2. How should the principals get this information to their teachers?
3. What are some ways school districts around the country are using WebQuests?Another WebQuest about WebQuests
WebQuests for Learning
Spartenburg County Schools, WebQuests
WNET Schools on WebQuests
Thoughts About WebQuests
WebQuests: A Strategy for Scaffolding Higher Level Learning
You have all learned about a different perspectives of using WebQuests in the classroom. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective. You must all now answer the Task / Quest(ion) as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task / Quest(ion). Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.
You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles. Now's the time to put your learning into a presentation you will give for real world feedback. Together you will create a presentation for your class that contains opinions, information, and perspectives that you've gained. Here's the process:1. Begin your presentation with a statement of who you are and why you are presenting your message to this class.
2. Give background information that shows you understand the topic.
STATE THE TASK / QUEST(ION) AND YOUR GROUP'S ANSWER.
3. Each person in your group should present two good reasons why WebQuests are different and should (or should not) be used. Make sure to be specific in both the information (like where you got it from on the Web) and the reasoning (why the information proves your group's point).
So what is a WebQuest, anyway? Is it a way to implement technology into the curriculum, another new fad? Now you all know a lot more about WebQuests and whether or not they would work for your class. Nice work. You should be proud of yourselves! How can you use what you've learned to see beyond the black and white of a topic and into the grayer areas? What other parts of could still be explored? Remember, learning never stops.
Web
page created by:
Rhonda
McMahon--rmcmahon@uno.edu
Last
updated: November 29, 2000