“the computer as an educational tool: productivity and problem solving” ©richard c. forcier and...

““The Computer as anThe Computer as an Educational Educational Tool: Productivity and Problem Tool: Productivity and Problem Solving” Solving”

©Richard C. Forcier and Don E. Descy©Richard C. Forcier and Don E. Descy

TodayToday IntroductionIntroduction Definition of termsDefinition of terms Finding the “right” WebQuestFinding the “right” WebQuest Anatomy of a WebQuestAnatomy of a WebQuest Evaluating a WebQuestEvaluating a WebQuest ExamplesExamples

Why WebQuests? (1)Why WebQuests? (1) Infuse technology into the Infuse technology into the

classroom and curriculumclassroom and curriculum Match Match YOURYOUR curriculum and curriculum and

your needsyour needs Match Match YOURYOUR students and their students and their

needsneeds Safe surfing for studentsSafe surfing for students

Why WebQuests? (2)Why WebQuests? (2) Use strategies to increase student Use strategies to increase student

motivationmotivation Ideal for cooperative learningIdeal for cooperative learning Develop thinking skillsDevelop thinking skills Use many resourcesUse many resources Encourage students to explore new Encourage students to explore new

ideas, ways to present these ideasideas, ways to present these ideas

Definition of a WebQuestDefinition of a WebQuest

An inquiry-oriented activity in An inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the which some or all of the information that students information that students interact with comes from interact with comes from resources on the Internet.resources on the Internet.

A Typical WebQuestA Typical WebQuest

Main Web PageMain Web Page1. Introduction1. Introduction

2. Task2. Task

3. Process3. Process

4. Information/Resources4. Information/Resources

5. Evaluation5. Evaluation

6. Conclusions6. Conclusions

Supplemental Supplemental Web PagesWeb Pages

Supplemental Supplemental Web PagesWeb Pages

Other MaterialOther Material(books, film, (books, film,

etc.)etc.)

Filtered Filtered WebsitesWebsites

Finding the “Right” WebQuestFinding the “Right” WebQuest

Use one that someone else has Use one that someone else has developeddeveloped

Modify someone else's to your needsModify someone else's to your needs Make your own WebQuestMake your own WebQuest Have students make them!Have students make them!

Use Someone Else’s Use Someone Else’s WebQuestWebQuest

Check for examples atCheck for examples at http://webquest.sdsu.edu or other siteshttp://webquest.sdsu.edu or other sites

Search the Web for “WebQuests”Search the Web for “WebQuests” Does it fit curriculum goals?Does it fit curriculum goals? Does it contain all of the required Does it contain all of the required

elements or information?elements or information? Don’t forget to evaluate: As a WebQuest Don’t forget to evaluate: As a WebQuest

and fitting your needs (pilot it!)and fitting your needs (pilot it!)

Modify Someone Else’s WebQuestModify Someone Else’s WebQuest

Modify for your class:Modify for your class:Grade level, interest, ability...Grade level, interest, ability...

Modify for your needs:Modify for your needs:Goals, resources, alternativeGoals, resources, alternativeoutcomes, scenarios...outcomes, scenarios...

Modify for your location:Modify for your location:Region, history, geography, Region, history, geography,

weather, famous weather, famous people/locationspeople/locations

Modify Someone Else’s WebQuestModify Someone Else’s WebQuest

Ask permission to modifyAsk permission to modify

Let original author use modificationsLet original author use modifications

Give original author credit for ideaGive original author credit for idea

Make Your Own WebQuestMake Your Own WebQuest

Yourself or with studentsYourself or with students Do you have equipment/expertise?Do you have equipment/expertise? Brainstorm ideasBrainstorm ideas Doable tasksDoable tasks Decide on resources: Web/othersDecide on resources: Web/others Diagram site (Use Inspiration!)Diagram site (Use Inspiration!) Get to work!Get to work!

Have Your Students Make Have Your Students Make ThemThem

Groups work bestGroups work best Give examplesGive examples Use templatesUse templates Give detailed directionsGive detailed directions Use a filtered directory or give them Use a filtered directory or give them

the sitesthe sites Resources can be print or nonprintResources can be print or nonprint

Helpful Hints for Future ReferenceHelpful Hints for Future Reference

Become familiar with resources Become familiar with resources online in your content areaonline in your content area

Organize the resources into Organize the resources into categories like data bases, reference categories like data bases, reference materials, etc.materials, etc.

Identify topics that fit with the Identify topics that fit with the curriculum and that have materials curriculum and that have materials onlineonline

Two Types of WebQuestsTwo Types of WebQuests

Shorter TermShorter Term

Designed to be completed in one Designed to be completed in one to three class periodsto three class periods

Longer TermLonger Term

Designed to take between one Designed to take between one week and one monthweek and one month

Shorter-term WebQuestShorter-term WebQuest

Instructional goal is...Instructional goal is...

knowledge acquisition and knowledge acquisition and integrationintegration

Learner deals with a significant Learner deals with a significant amount of new information and amount of new information and makes sense of itmakes sense of it

Longer-term WebQuestLonger-term WebQuest

Instructional goal is…Instructional goal is…

extending and refining extending and refining knowledgeknowledge

Learner deeply analyzes a body Learner deeply analyzes a body of knowledge, transforms it, and of knowledge, transforms it, and demonstrates understanding by demonstrates understanding by presenting it in some waypresenting it in some way

Anatomy of a WebQuestAnatomy of a WebQuest

Developed in 1995 by Bernie Dodge Developed in 1995 by Bernie Dodge and Tom Marchand Tom March

Excellent site located at San Diego Excellent site located at San Diego State University:State University:

http://webquest.sdsu.eduhttp://webquest.sdsu.edu

Six Elements of a WebQuestSix Elements of a WebQuest

1. Introduction1. Introduction

2. Task2. Task

3. Process3. Process

4. Information resources4. Information resources

5. Evaluation5. Evaluation

6. Conclusion6. Conclusion

#1: Introduction#1: Introduction Should orient the learner to what Should orient the learner to what

is going to happenis going to happen Should grab learners and make Should grab learners and make

them want to continuethem want to continue Express a need to continueExpress a need to continue

““BatQuest” (ele)BatQuest” (ele)

Stellaluna became lost from her mother when Stellaluna became lost from her mother when she was a baby. She did not get a chance to she was a baby. She did not get a chance to learn about who she was. Stellaluna feels learn about who she was. Stellaluna feels very sad because she is not like her bird very sad because she is not like her bird friends. Let's help Stellaluna learn more friends. Let's help Stellaluna learn more about being a bat. Stellaluna is a very about being a bat. Stellaluna is a very unique mammal with special gifts. It will be unique mammal with special gifts. It will be your quest to learn the facts about bats. your quest to learn the facts about bats. You can help teach Stellaluna and others You can help teach Stellaluna and others about the special qualities of being a batabout the special qualities of being a bat..

““Basque Country Journey” (mid)Basque Country Journey” (mid)

The French and Spanish level one students are The French and Spanish level one students are planning a spring break trip to the Basque planning a spring break trip to the Basque country. Discover good surf, great beaches, and country. Discover good surf, great beaches, and delicious cuisine that contribute to the well-known delicious cuisine that contribute to the well-known reputation of the Basque country on either side of reputation of the Basque country on either side of the Pyrenees. Behind the touristy scene exists a the Pyrenees. Behind the touristy scene exists a profound and economically orientated lifestyle profound and economically orientated lifestyle and a culture striving to be stronger. You and a and a culture striving to be stronger. You and a partner will research a Spanish or French city in partner will research a Spanish or French city in the Basque region. You will gather information on the Basque region. You will gather information on its geographic location, history, tourism, and the its geographic location, history, tourism, and the three languages that are part of everyday life.three languages that are part of everyday life.

““Prison: Punishment or Party?” Prison: Punishment or Party?” (HS)(HS)

Prison reform is a hot issue today and there is a Prison reform is a hot issue today and there is a great deal of conflict over what prisoners' rights great deal of conflict over what prisoners' rights should be. In this project, you will be exploring should be. In this project, you will be exploring the opposing viewpoints on this topic, evaluating the opposing viewpoints on this topic, evaluating statistics, and reading about life in American statistics, and reading about life in American prisons. As a team, you will be working to create prisons. As a team, you will be working to create a handbook of "Prisoners' Rights" in a fabled a handbook of "Prisoners' Rights" in a fabled prison. Team members will take the following prison. Team members will take the following roles: victim, prison warden, politician, taxpayer, roles: victim, prison warden, politician, taxpayer, or prisoner.or prisoner. Though you may have strong Though you may have strong feelings based upon the research you do, your feelings based upon the research you do, your team must reach consensus on the handbook.team must reach consensus on the handbook.

#2: Task#2: Task Tells what the learner will have Tells what the learner will have

completed at the end of the completed at the end of the questquest

May be a product or a May be a product or a presentation (PowerPoint, presentation (PowerPoint, speech, play, artwork, game, speech, play, artwork, game, movie, anything assessable...)movie, anything assessable...)

BatQuestBatQuestAfter reading the book, work alone or with a partner After reading the book, work alone or with a partner

to find out more information about bats. You will to find out more information about bats. You will investigate: investigate: *The different types of bats*The different types of bats*How bat mothers care for their babies*How bat mothers care for their babies*Echolocation*Echolocation*Unique bat characteristics*Unique bat characteristics*Why bats are important to the world*Why bats are important to the world

Basque Country JourneyBasque Country Journey

1. Decide on which city (according to the language you are 1. Decide on which city (according to the language you are studying) you would like to visit and describe the studying) you would like to visit and describe the geographic location, history, and language.geographic location, history, and language.

2. Depending on your city, find out the unit of currency and its 2. Depending on your city, find out the unit of currency and its current exchange rate against the U.S. dollar.current exchange rate against the U.S. dollar.

3. Find out typical spring weather conditions.3. Find out typical spring weather conditions. 4. Search for two hotels in the city you would like to stay at. 4. Search for two hotels in the city you would like to stay at.

Include information such as address, phone number, price Include information such as address, phone number, price range, and services they offer.range, and services they offer.

5. Find three restaurants for Spanish, French, and Basque 5. Find three restaurants for Spanish, French, and Basque cuisine. Include information such as price range, address, cuisine. Include information such as price range, address, and several menu items.and several menu items.

6. Find three activities to do while at the city. Include a brief 6. Find three activities to do while at the city. Include a brief description of each place and the cost if any.description of each place and the cost if any.

Prison: Punishment or Party?Prison: Punishment or Party?

Students will research prisoners’ rights today from Students will research prisoners’ rights today from a specific perspective as they assume one of the a specific perspective as they assume one of the following roles: victim, prison warden, politician, following roles: victim, prison warden, politician, taxpayer, or prisoner. Students will write taxpayer, or prisoner. Students will write individual proposals for the handbook and then individual proposals for the handbook and then debate the issues until consensus is reached.debate the issues until consensus is reached.

““Task-onomy” (1)Task-onomy” (1)

Re-telling tasks: Most common, Re-telling tasks: Most common, least challengingleast challenging

Compilation tasks: Familiarizes Compilation tasks: Familiarizes student with content, then student with content, then enables them to transform the enables them to transform the information acquiredinformation acquired


Mystery tasks: Find information Mystery tasks: Find information from multiple sources, infer, and from multiple sources, infer, and predictpredict

Journalistic tasks: Broaden Journalistic tasks: Broaden understanding by using multiple understanding by using multiple accounts/inputs and outputsaccounts/inputs and outputs


Design tasks: Anything goes; Design tasks: Anything goes; encourages creativityencourages creativity

Creative product tasks: Open-Creative product tasks: Open-ended creativity with guidelines; ended creativity with guidelines; a product needed by an a product needed by an individualindividual


Persuasion tasks: Combined Persuasion tasks: Combined with consensus building; with consensus building; trying to convince others of a trying to convince others of a particular viewpoint particular viewpoint


Self-knowledge tasks: Self-knowledge tasks: Compel learner to answer Compel learner to answer questions about themselvesquestions about themselves

Analytical tasks: Analysis of Analytical tasks: Analysis of the implications of taskthe implications of task


Judgement tasks: Learners Judgement tasks: Learners must create own criteria for must create own criteria for evaluationevaluation

Scientific tasks: Learners Scientific tasks: Learners make and test hypothesesmake and test hypotheses

#3: Process#3: Process Clearly described stepsClearly described steps Lets the learner know the Lets the learner know the

process to go through to process to go through to accomplish taskaccomplish task

Can also provide help, Can also provide help, comments, advicecomments, advice

BatQuest (1)BatQuest (1)1. Stellaluna is one type of bat, a megabat. Bats can be first 1. Stellaluna is one type of bat, a megabat. Bats can be first

classified into two groups, megabats and microbats. Then classified into two groups, megabats and microbats. Then there are several different types of bats within these two there are several different types of bats within these two groups. Choose who will investigate the megabats and who groups. Choose who will investigate the megabats and who will investigate the mircrobats. Click on the paper for your will investigate the mircrobats. Click on the paper for your task sheets and click on the megabat and mircrobat task sheets and click on the megabat and mircrobat buttons for more information.buttons for more information.

2. Stellaluna had a loving mother. You will work with your 2. Stellaluna had a loving mother. You will work with your partner and complete the assignment together. Your job is partner and complete the assignment together. Your job is to find out how bat mothers care for their babies until they to find out how bat mothers care for their babies until they are able to be on their own. Click on the mother bat for are able to be on their own. Click on the mother bat for information and the baby bat for the task sheet.information and the baby bat for the task sheet.

BatQuest (2)BatQuest (2)3. Bats can fly at night and not get hurt. Investigate their 3. Bats can fly at night and not get hurt. Investigate their

special gift called echolocation. Your job is to discover how special gift called echolocation. Your job is to discover how echolocation works. Could you use echolocation to see in echolocation works. Could you use echolocation to see in the dark like bats do? Click on the bat to find out. Click on the dark like bats do? Click on the bat to find out. Click on the paper for your task sheet.the paper for your task sheet.

4. Bats are unique mammals. Discover all about their special 4. Bats are unique mammals. Discover all about their special traits and how they help our world. traits and how they help our world. *After you become a "Bat Master", investigate why people *After you become a "Bat Master", investigate why people are afraid of bats. How could you change the minds of are afraid of bats. How could you change the minds of people who are afraid of bats so they might like bats?people who are afraid of bats so they might like bats?

5. Write a letter to Stellaluna and explain to her why she is so 5. Write a letter to Stellaluna and explain to her why she is so special. This is your opportunity to show that you are a bat special. This is your opportunity to show that you are a bat expert!expert!

Basque Country WebQuestBasque Country WebQuest

1. Go to the sites above to find the required 1. Go to the sites above to find the required information. information.

2. Design a travel brochure using the target 2. Design a travel brochure using the target language that represents the city and the places language that represents the city and the places you chose to visit. Include pictures and brief you chose to visit. Include pictures and brief information that would entice the reader to visit information that would entice the reader to visit the location. The brochures will be shared with the location. The brochures will be shared with the rest of the class. the rest of the class.

3. Create a detailed plan including all your 3. Create a detailed plan including all your information, prices, and web page addresses that information, prices, and web page addresses that you used to gather your information.you used to gather your information.

Prison: Punishment or Party? (1)Prison: Punishment or Party? (1)

1. Within your group, either choose a role or draw for 1. Within your group, either choose a role or draw for your role.your role.

2. Examine the Web-based and print resources to 2. Examine the Web-based and print resources to discover what the issues are from your unique point discover what the issues are from your unique point of view. Use the set of Questions for exploration to of view. Use the set of Questions for exploration to help you get started (but don't limit yourselves!)help you get started (but don't limit yourselves!)

3. Create an outline of rights prisoners should have in 3. Create an outline of rights prisoners should have in the newly created prison. Write a statement the newly created prison. Write a statement summarizing your point of view. Use HyperStudio. summarizing your point of view. Use HyperStudio. Be sure to include a bibliography of the resources Be sure to include a bibliography of the resources used. These should be in a variety of formats: used. These should be in a variety of formats: websites, magazines, newspaper articles, books, etc.websites, magazines, newspaper articles, books, etc.

Prison: Punishment or Party? (2)Prison: Punishment or Party? (2)

4. Present your "demands" to your group using 4. Present your "demands" to your group using HyperStudio. Take notes while the other HyperStudio. Take notes while the other members of your group present their outlines.members of your group present their outlines.

5. Debate the issues within your group.5. Debate the issues within your group.6. After reaching consensus, create a presentation 6. After reaching consensus, create a presentation

of the group's Prisoners Rights Handbook to the of the group's Prisoners Rights Handbook to the class at-large using PowerPoint, HyperStudio, class at-large using PowerPoint, HyperStudio, Posters, or another format approved by the Posters, or another format approved by the teacher.teacher.

7. Use the rubric to grade your individual work and 7. Use the rubric to grade your individual work and the group's performance.the group's performance.

#4: Information Resources#4: Information Resources

List of teacher-selected websites List of teacher-selected websites for learnerfor learner

May use external or internal linksMay use external or internal links May include non-Web resources: May include non-Web resources:

books, worksheet, video, etc.books, worksheet, video, etc.


Go to the Go to the Pays BasquePays Basque page (in French) to find out page (in French) to find out more information on the Region. more information on the Region.

Click hereClick here for language information. for language information.

Links Links to different activities in Basque Country. to different activities in Basque Country.

Go to Go to TourAdour.comTourAdour.com to find information on to find information on history, hotels, and leisure activities. history, hotels, and leisure activities.

Go to Go to City.netCity.net to find information in Spanish about to find information in Spanish about the Pais Vasco. the Pais Vasco.

Go to Go to Buber's Basque pageBuber's Basque page for lots of information for lots of information in French and Spanish.in French and Spanish.


1. Use 1. Use InspireInspire to find newspaper or magazine to find newspaper or magazine articles on prisons in the United States.articles on prisons in the United States.

2. On-line articles2. On-line articles

(six sites listed)(six sites listed)

3. Print resources - Please consult at least one 3. Print resources - Please consult at least one print resource.print resource. (three books listed)(three books listed)

#5: Evaluation#5: Evaluation Needed to measure resultsNeeded to measure results Must fit goals and objectivesMust fit goals and objectives Evaluation rubrics often best for Evaluation rubrics often best for

authentic assessmentauthentic assessment Is it the Quest, the question, or Is it the Quest, the question, or

the student?the student?

All SitesAll Sites

All had detailed rubrics for group and All had detailed rubrics for group and individual assessmentindividual assessment

#6: Conclusion#6: Conclusion Brings closure to the QuestBrings closure to the Quest Reviews learningReviews learning Reflection, review, rethinkingReflection, review, rethinking Ideas for future studyIdeas for future study

BatQuestBatQuestNow that you have become a bat expert, visit these Now that you have become a bat expert, visit these

fun and exciting sites. You can learn even more fun and exciting sites. You can learn even more about bats or play bat games and make bat art. about bats or play bat games and make bat art. Maybe you would like to build a bat house in your Maybe you would like to build a bat house in your backyard!backyard!*Crossword*Crossword*Stellaluna Online*Stellaluna Online*Bat Quiz*Bat Quiz*Build a Bat House*Build a Bat House*Bat Games*Bat Games


By researching the city of your choice you will By researching the city of your choice you will come in contact with the Basque culture before come in contact with the Basque culture before our spring break trip. This project will sharpen our spring break trip. This project will sharpen your Internet research skills and will help you your Internet research skills and will help you learn different cultures.learn different cultures.


As the number of prisoners increases yearly and the number of new As the number of prisoners increases yearly and the number of new prisons does not increase to meet the overflow of prisoners in the prisons does not increase to meet the overflow of prisoners in the United States criminal justice system, more and more individuals United States criminal justice system, more and more individuals are placed into potentially explosive places. Prisoners' rights are are placed into potentially explosive places. Prisoners' rights are sometimes abused in this fragile system. At the same time, sometimes abused in this fragile system. At the same time, prisoners are known to abuse the system themselves by filing prisoners are known to abuse the system themselves by filing ludicrous lawsuits and demanding unreasonable accommodations ludicrous lawsuits and demanding unreasonable accommodations for someone who has committed a crime. Some people believe that for someone who has committed a crime. Some people believe that prison life is too easy and thus not a deterrent to crime. Others prison life is too easy and thus not a deterrent to crime. Others point to the recent case in Jasper, Texas, where a man who did not point to the recent case in Jasper, Texas, where a man who did not grow up to hold racist beliefs learned racial hatred in prison and grow up to hold racist beliefs learned racial hatred in prison and ended up brutally murdering a black man, causing an outraged ended up brutally murdering a black man, causing an outraged nation to wonder, "How bad is prison life that prisoners leave more nation to wonder, "How bad is prison life that prisoners leave more violent and prone to crime than when they entered the system?" violent and prone to crime than when they entered the system?" These are all valid, powerful viewpoints that deserve to be explored These are all valid, powerful viewpoints that deserve to be explored and evaluated. Ultimately, some consensus must be reached in for and evaluated. Ultimately, some consensus must be reached in for change to be made.change to be made.

Noncritical AttributesNoncritical Attributes May be group or individual May be group or individual

activitiesactivities May include role-playingMay include role-playing Single subject or Single subject or

interdisciplinaryinterdisciplinary

Evaluating WebQuestsEvaluating WebQuests

Is the information accurate?Is the information accurate? Does the page look inviting and Does the page look inviting and

appealing?appealing? Is it easy to use?Is it easy to use? Is it a good use of class/student/your Is it a good use of class/student/your

time?time? Is it a good use of Web/technology?Is it a good use of Web/technology?

ExamplesExamples San Diego State WebQuest Page:San Diego State WebQuest Page:

http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquest.htmlhttp://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquest.html WebQuest World: WebQuest World:

http://www.ci.swt.edu/faculty/http://www.ci.swt.edu/faculty/peterson/webquestworld2/WebQuestWorldpeterson/webquestworld2/WebQuestWorldHome.htmlHome.html

WebQuest Workshop Resources: WebQuest Workshop Resources: http://http://mciunixmciunix..mciumciu.k12.pa.us/~.k12.pa.us/~spjvweb/webquests.htmlspjvweb/webquests.html

SitesSites BatQuest: http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/BatQuest: http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/

chavez/batquest/navigator.htmlchavez/batquest/navigator.html Basque Country WebQuest: Basque Country WebQuest:

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/6360/basque.htmlOlympus/6360/basque.html

Prison: Punishment or Party?: Prison: Punishment or Party?: http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/hschool/http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/hschool/webq/webq63/webq/webq63/

Questions?Questions?

PowerPoint available at:PowerPoint available at:descy.netdescy.net

“the computer as an educational tool: productivity and problem solving” ©richard c. forcier and...

Documents

webquest examples

descy slide

nonprint slide

idea slide

month slide

way slide

right webquest use

materials online slide