WebQuests

Jigsaw Activity

Introduction to WebQuests
1. What is a WebQuest?
An inquiry-based online project that guides students through research and problem solving
by giving them the tools they need to explore certain topics. WebQuests follow a formula
and structure to guide and facilitate learning.
2. Why use a WebQuest?
WebQuests support and encourage students to use critical thinking and problem solving
skills. WebQuests provide students with the resources they need to be creative, analytical
and use use higher order thinking.

Learning Theory
1. On what learning theories are WebQuests based?
WebQuests are mainly based on the social constructivism theory. This theory looks at how
people learn. Learning, which is creating your own understanding and knowledge, comes
from reflecting on concrete experiences. Students construct their knowledge through
questioning, exploring and assessing what we know. This theory allows students to gain
ownership of their learning as the teacher takes on the role of a facilitator.
2. What is project based learning?
Students are given a problem or challenge and have the freedom to choose HOW they will
complete this task and find a solution. Students are required to plan their own project,
present a final product, as well as creating a rubric to assess their own work.

Elements of a WebQuest
1.

What are the elements of a WebQuest?

THe key elements of a WebQuest are:

Group activity
Includes role-play
Single or interdisciplinary
They are designed from:
The perspectives of the students
As coherent and relevant units either as short term lessons or long term projects
With whole to part organisation
Teacher as facilitator
Learning through the active construction of meaning
Flexible environment, and
Support learner thinking at the level of synthesis, analysis and evaluation
A webquest is not a traditional lesson in disguise

Parts of a WebQuest
There are 6 essential parts for a WebQuest: Introduction, Task, Process, Resources, Evaluation and Conclusion. There is also a Teachers Page.

Teachers Page
1. Joint Statement - what is it?
A statement which expresses the group's understanding of what is required for the project. A
really broad overview statement.
2. ICT statement - what goes on this page?
Outlines the integration of particular ICT statements which will be used throughout the
project. This includes a justification of why these resources have been selected and how they
will be integrated into students learning.
3.
FPD - what is this?
An overview of 4 lessons which outlines the learning objectives, resources, lesson steps,
focus questions and skills as well links to the Australian Curriculum.
4.
Learning theory - what will go on this page?
How you will incorporate different learning theorists and learning styles into your teaching
style for example, accommodating for multiple intelligences according to Bloom's taxonomy,
social constructivist and cognitive theories.
**Teachers pages on some examples may not be the same as the one that we are required to do. Sometimes added resources are part of the teachers page but our
one is about helping us to do our webquest.

WebQuest resources and evaluation

1. Where can you find WebQuests examples?

2. How can you evaluate WebQuests?

For more resources, go to

http://gd2016ict.weebly.com/webquests.html
And
http://gd2016ict.weebly.com/4632-assessment-review.html