What is a WebQuest?

By:

Mary Minor

Definition:

A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the internet, optionally supplemented with videoconferencing. There are at least two levels of WebQuests.

Bernie Dodge

Types of WebQuest

Short Term: is knowledge acquisition and integration

Learner acquires a large volume of information and is able to understand it.

Completion: one to two class periods

Longer Term: the extension and refining of knowledge

Deeper interpreting and demonstration of understanding of material

Completion: between one week and a month

Longer term WebQuest

Comparing Classifying Inducing Analyzing perspectives

Deducing Analyzing errors Constructing support Abstraction

Critical Attributes:

Introduction: sets the stage and provides background information

Task: doable and interesting Information Sources: enables completion of

task. Process: method of completing task Guidance and Conclusion

Non-critical Attributes

Group Activities Motivational Elements: role playing such as:

(scientist, detective, reporter) Capable of use within a single discipline or

interdisciplinary

Design Steps

Locate available resources Organize knowledge of available resources Identify topics that are aligned to curriculum Use appropriate materials on-line Use a template as a guide for the creation of

a short term, single discipline

References

Clarke,J.H.(19900. patterns of thinking: Integrating learnin)g skills in content teaching. Needham Heights MA: Allyn and Bacon

Marzano, R. J. , Brandt, R.S., Hughes, C.S. , Jones,B.f., Presseisen, B, Z.,Rankin,

Marzano,R.J.(1992). A different kind of classroom:

Samples and Guides to WebQuest Design

http://webquest.sdsu.edu/matrix.html Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators:

Webquests in Our future: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockquide/webquest/webquest.html

Coollessons.org

Samples WebQuest

video