Scaffolding Web Exploration: Use of WebQuest By: Ledong Li

What is WebQuest? A WebQuest is “…an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet..." (Definition given by Bernie Dodge, the originator of this format for web based lessons.) Example: Searching for China

A WebQuest is “…an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet..." (Definition given by Bernie Dodge, the originator of this format for web based lessons.) Example: Searching for China

Why WebQuests The Impact of the Internet and WWW -The World’s Biggest Encyclopedia?? -The Information Superhighway!? -The World’s “Junkyard”?! WebQuest’s Impact on Teaching and Learning -Student motivation and authenticity -Thinking skills / Scaffolding -Cooperative learning -Technology integration / Web access

The Impact of the Internet and WWW

-The World’s Biggest Encyclopedia??

-The Information Superhighway!?

-The World’s “Junkyard”?!

WebQuest’s Impact on Teaching and Learning

-Student motivation and authenticity

-Thinking skills / Scaffolding

-Cooperative learning

-Technology integration / Web access

Basic Elements of WebQuest There are five basic components of an average WebQuest: Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion

There are five basic components of an average WebQuest:

Introduction

Task

Process

Evaluation

Conclusion

Introduction The purpose of the Introduction section is to: set the stage for the activity catch the reader's attention to draw them into the quest provide background information Example: Introduction

The purpose of the Introduction section is to:

set the stage for the activity

catch the reader's attention to draw them into the quest

provide background information

Example: Introduction

Task The Task block in a WebQuest is a description of what the learner will produce by the end of the activity. It also describes the tools that are to be used to produce the expected product – such as a HyperStudio stack or PowerPoint presentation, a written report, or an oral presentation. Example: Task

The Task block in a WebQuest is a description of what the learner will produce by the end of the activity.

It also describes the tools that are to be used to produce the expected product – such as a HyperStudio stack or PowerPoint presentation, a written report, or an oral presentation.

Example: Task

Process The purpose of the Process block is to: give a step-by-step description, relatively short and clear provide links to Internet sites interwoven within the steps Example: Process

The purpose of the Process block is to:

give a step-by-step description, relatively short and clear

provide links to Internet sites interwoven within the steps

Example: Process

Evaluation The Evaluation section is designed to: display a rubric to measure the product as objectively as possible (Note: It should leave little room for question) Example: Evaluation

The Evaluation section is designed to:

display a rubric to measure the product as objectively as possible

(Note: It should leave little room for question)

Example: Evaluation

Conclusion The Conclusion section of a WebQuest provides an opportunity to: summarize the experience encourage reflection about the process extend and generalize what was learned add higher level questions that may be researched at another time Example: Conclusion

The Conclusion section of a WebQuest provides an opportunity to:

summarize the experience

encourage reflection about the process

extend and generalize what was learned

add higher level questions that may be researched at another time

Example: Conclusion

Constructing WebQuests Use Netscape Composer to construct your WebQuest. Start with a template . (Please use the handouts for directions.) Write a WebQuest in the form of a Word document. ( Download ) Use multiple-page WebQuest templates. ( Download )

Use Netscape Composer to construct your WebQuest. Start with a template .

(Please use the handouts for directions.)

Write a WebQuest in the form of a Word document. ( Download )

Use multiple-page WebQuest templates. ( Download )

Locating Resources Use “search engines” Examples: Excite ; Yahoo ; Dogpile Collect useful WebQuest sites Example: WebQuest Page Collect useful websites for your content area teaching and learning activities

Use “search engines”

Examples: Excite ; Yahoo ; Dogpile

Collect useful WebQuest sites

Example: WebQuest Page

Collect useful websites for your content area teaching and learning activities