Using to

teach Content:
Comparing Instructional
Strategies
Citation

Strickland, J. (2005). Using

WebQuest to teach content:
Comparing instructional strategies.
Contemporary Issues in
Technology and Teacher
Education, 5(2), 138-148.

2
Contents

1 Introduction
2 Background
3 Methodology
4 Results
5 Critiques

3
Definition of WebQuest

“An inquiry-oriented activity in which

some or all of the information that
learners interact with comes form
resources on the internet…”

(Dodge, 1995)

4
Introduction

Using presentation software to enhance

a lecture or students using the computer
to publish the research paper using a
word processing program.

(Maddux, Johnson, & Willis, 1997)

5
Introduction

Using technology to foster innovative

teaching and learning.

(Maddux et al., 1997)

6
Gap

Teachers may feel that WebQuests are useful for

developing critical thinking skills.

There is no study examined the link

between WebQuest and teaching content.

7
Purpose

- to compare the use of WebQuests with

traditional instruction

8
Research Questions

1. Do students gain needed content as a

result of completing a WebQuest?

9
Research Questions

2. Is there a difference between the

information learned by students who
completed a WebQuest activity and
those completing traditional classroom
activities?

10
Background

Exposed Facilitative
Environment Learning
Critical
Thinking
Increased
Cooperative Motivation
Real-life
Learning
Sources

Why WebQuests?
11
FOCUS Principle

Find great site

Orchestrate learners and resources

Challenge to think

Use the medium

Scaffold high expectations

12
WebQuest Approach

Standard
Unambiguous
Evaluation
Process

Reflective
Reachable Conclusion
Resources

Attractive
Clear
Introduction
Tasks

13
Participants
School: Dallas, Texas
Course: Texas history course
Ss: 86
Grader: 7th

18 males
20 females
24 males
24 females

Experimental group

14
Research Design

Instructional
strategies

Control Group Experimental Group

Traditional Classroom Traditional Classroom

Poster Activity WebQuest Activity

Topic: Roadmap to freedom Topic: Ss’ interests

15
Teaching Procedures
The same instructor
2 weeks

16
Results

17
Results

18
Results

19
Critiques

WebQuest is not supported by the administrators and

instructor.

The assessment focused on content not on the

innovation.

The topic chosen is different.

20
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION.