WebQuests:My quest for

knowledge regarding the impact of

WebQuests in studentlearning

NCTE/IRA Standard 8Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

WebQuests

Stand up and touchyour toes if you have

heard of the wordWebQuest!

Now, if you knowwhat a

WebQuest is,explain it to the people

at your site (or your imaginary classmate).

Was your definition . . .

It’s not this:

The first musher in the 2008 Yukon Quest leaves the starting grid in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Image from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2008_Yukon_Quest_start.jpg

Or this: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Quest map

Image from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Star_Wars_Galaxy_Map_KOTOR_Quest.jpg

Or this:

From: http://www.mapquest.com/

And definitely not:

From: http://www.gameogre.com/reviewdirectory/reviews/Adventure_Quest.php

But this:

“A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web.”

(WebQuest.org, 2007, “What is a WebQuest?,” para. 1)

Developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in 1995, alongwith Tom March.

Relatives of WebQuests (have been around

longer than computers )

Scavenger/Treasure Hunts

Pathfinders

WebQuests, Scavenger/Treasure Hunts, and Pathfinders

ALL

Organize learning opportunitiesGuide students to using sources

Provide a framework for instruction

Scavenger/Treasure Hunt

Pathfinder WebQuest

Based on a specific topic Covers one topic Built on an inquiry-based task to finish

Students find own sources of information

Students go to specific sources of information that are listed

Students follow tasks, going to listed websites

Can be timed Sources are prescreened Activity is all-inclusive—can be used to introduce, practice, and assess

Students finding bits of information to answer questions or fill-in-blanks

Students gathering information for a report

Students synthesizing information to solve a problem

Benefits of WebQuests:

• Higher-Order Thinking—students need to transform information

• Cooperative Learning—work in groups

• Authentic Assessment—links to other class activities/real world

• Technology Integration

Back to:NCTE/IRA Standard 8Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

With a WebQuest, students:• Use a Word document, a wiki, a piece of paper, a

website, etc. to engage in the WebQuest• Use any type of resource to learn the content--

the computer, books from the classroom or library, video clips, podcasts, magazines, etc.

• Use technological and traditional sources for the final product

NCTE/IRA Standard 8Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

With a WebQuest, students:• Use websites, online databases, paper sources,

people, and more to gather information• Use spreadsheets, graphic organizers,

worksheets, tables, and more to help synthesize information

NCTE/IRA Standard 8Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

With a WebQuest, students:• Use digital cameras, web cameras, Web 2.0 tools,

Word documents, online drawing programs, and more to create knowledge

• Use cell phones, Twitter, wikis, websites, blogs, presentations being recorded, and more to communicate knowledge

So . . .

WebQuests

The Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIh59qcZdRU

http://fablewebquest.wikispaces.com/

http://animoto.com/play/R1i060UGfzoa3RRp07zbqQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQxBI-r4PgY

Student Comments/Observations

• Within their groups, they discussed the Animoto explaining fables

• Read/Watched fables together as a group• Helped each other understand morals• Thought it was a fun way to learn• Many did not want to be done with the

project . . . wanted to write another fable with group, keep adding more pictures, etc.

• Were proud of final project and wanted copies for each team membe

Back to:NCTE/IRA Standard 8Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

With this WebQuest, students:• Used a wiki, Animoto, Voki, Aesop Fable

databases, printer, Word document, videos, TuxPaint

NCTE/IRA Standard 8Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

With this WebQuest, students:• Gathered and synthesized information about

fables from resources listed on previous page

NCTE/IRA Standard 8Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

With this WebQuest, students:• Created a fable using paper and pencil, then a

Word document and TuxPaint• Communicated knowledge through printed Word

document and TuxPaint picture

Insights/Outcomes• Effective for incorporating group

collaboration• Specific directions help, specific worksheets

to print• Maybe give them a group name, or a

category to choose from• Expect noise• Assign groups areas to work in• Try to complete within a close timeframe of

a few days• Keep papers for groups• One role could be the “printer”

Possible New Questions

• What would differentiated instruction with WebQuests look like?

• What other topics would be effective with WebQuests?

• What is the approximate grade level for students to work on WebQuests within their independent groups?

• After how many WebQuests would students start to tire of them?

A WebQuest IS

an effective methodfor

student learning!

Internet Scavenger Hunts

Education World Printable Internet Scavenger Hunts

TeacherWeb Computer Lab page

Pathfinders

Internet Public Library Pathfinders

John Newberry Elementary School Pathfinders

Suggested Pathfinders for School Libraries

Resources

WebQuests

http://www.bestwebquests.com/

http://internet4classrooms.com/using_quest.htm#collections

http://www.scsk12.org/why_webquests/wbresources.htm

http://www.iss.k12.nc.us/schools/webquests/summer.htm

http://kathyschrock.net/webquests/index.htm