Web quests are inquiry-oriented activities where students interact with online resources to solve problems and complete projects. They involve research and collaboration in teams to produce a final product. Web quests bring together effective teaching practices like motivation, developing thinking skills, and cooperative learning. They come in short-term and long-term varieties. All good web quests include an introduction, task, process, evaluation, and conclusion. The introduction sets up the activity, the task defines the learning goals, the process provides online resources and guidance, the evaluation assesses student understanding, and the conclusion encourages reflection. Examples of web quests vary in quality, so templates and resources can help teachers create effective ones.

1. WEB QUESTS

2. DefinitionAn inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that students interact with comes from resources on the InternetStudents usually work in teamsActivity involves some level of problem-solvingWorks well with interdisciplinary lessonsOften begins with research and ends with a completed product of some kind (i.e., presentation, paper, book, etc. - something to show what the student has learned)

3. Why Web Quests?Bring together the most effective instructional practices into one integrated student activityIncrease motivationDevelop thinking skillsCooperative learning process

4. Two typesShort term1-3 class periodsInstructional goal is knowledge acquisition and integrationLong term1 week to 1 monthInstructional goal is extending and refining knowledge

5. Critical Attributes of a Web QuestIntroductionTaskProcessEvaluationConclusion

6. IntroductionIntroduces students to the online learning activityOften starts with a story in which the student plays a role, i.e., “You are about to embark on a powerful adventure.”

7. TaskDefines the learning outcomes of the WebQuest activityPrimary objective that students will undertake, general and brief overviewKeep the ‘inquiry-based’ characteristic in mind!!

8. ProcessThe ‘heart’ of the activity Generally the longest sectionThe step-by-step guidance about the expectations Resources, usually carefully selected web links, to provide information, exploration, etc. to accomplish taskNot ‘spoon fed’ though – room for independent and creative work

9. EvaluationEssential part to ensure students understand how success will be evaluatedGreat place for a rubric, since the end product is project-based!

10. ConclusionDesigned to encourage students to reflect, seek further informationEnd with additional web links to explore deeper,or with related games, extra credit, journal prompts to help students reflect on their learning.

11. ExamplesThere are many poor ones so think critically when reviewing other WebQuests for ideasSome resources (all available via Livebinders):WebQuest.org (Dr. Bernie Dodge, SDSU)Concept to ClassroomAnnette Lamb’s EduscapesTemplates:Zunal (free)Google Sites (free)WebQuest.Org – Quest Garden ($, but free trial)