What is a WebQuest?

Why Should I Use One?

Definition of a WebQuest
According to Dr. Bernie Dodge, A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web. A lesson format for students to follow using Internet resources

History of WebQuests
Dr. Bernie Dodge from San Diego State University developed and named the concept Dr. Dodge is a Professor of Educational Technology Developed the concept in 1995 for a class of preservice teachers

Why Use a WebQuest?

According to Dr. Dodge, WebQuests are designed to use learners time well, to focus on USING information rather than on looking for it WebQuests support learners thinking at higher levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation

Essential Parts of a WebQuest

Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion

Introduction
Provides an overview of the learning goals to the students Captures the students interest Introduces the role the students will play ex: a teacher, an archaeologist, an explorer Provides background information

Task
Description of what the students will have accomplished by the end of the WebQuest Should be doable and engaging Should be one of the 11 tasks from WebQuest Taskonomy: A Taxonomy of Tasks http://webquest.sdsu.edu/taskonomy.html

Process
A list of the steps the students must follow Links should be included to any online resources that will be used Would be good to include a demonstration or example for each step

Evaluation
There needs to be a rubric for the students work Standards should be fair, clear, and consistent Rubric is provided for the students to use as a guide

Conclusion
Allows for reflection by the students A summary of the goals is provided Leave the students with food for thought

How Can I Create a WebQuest?

Templates are provided at different websites Examples can be seen Some WebQuests allow users to adapt for their own purposes Following websites are places to build WebQuests: www.zunal.com http://webquest.org http://createwebquest.com http://questgarden.com https://www.teacherweb.com/tweb/twquest.aspx

References
Concept to classroom. (2004). Retrieved from http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/webquest s/index_sub3.html Creating a webquest: it's easier than you think. (1996). Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech011.sht ml Dodge, B. (2007). Webquest.org. Retrieved from http://webquest.org