This document discusses using webquests and games for language teaching. It defines a webquest as an inquiry-oriented activity where students interact with online resources. It provides tasks for students to view sample webquests and complete one. It also covers how to create a webquest, the key attributes it should have, and websites for creating them. The document notes advantages of webquests like being interesting, interactive, encouraging independent learning, and improving research and internet skills.

1. WebQuests & Games for
Language Teaching
Elaine Riordan

2. Outline
• Discussion
• Definition
• Task 1 – View WebQuests
• Task 2 – Complete a WebQuest
• Creating a WebQuest
• Advantages

3. Discussion
• Do you use any games in your language
classroom?
• If so, what games do you use and how do
you use them?
• Have you ever used webquests?
• What are your views on the use of games
in language teaching?

4. Definition
• ‘A webQuest is a fun, inquiry-orientated
activity in which some or all of the
information that learners interact with
comes from resources on the internet ’
(Dodge, 1995)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4rel5qOPvU

5. Task 1
• Go to http://www.webquest.org/
o On the left hand side, click on ‘Find
WebQuests’
o Scroll down and click on to ‘Curriculum x
Grade Level Matrix’
o Select Subject
o Select Grade
• View some webquests

6. Task 2
• Complete a WebQuest – see handout

7. Creating a WebQuest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyht-ehlAWY
• Technologically, creating a WebQuest can be very
simple. As long as you can create a document with
hyperlinks, you can create a WebQuest. That means
that a WebQuest can be created in Word, Powerpoint,
and even Excel! If you're going to call it a WebQuest,
though, be sure that it has all the critical attributes.

8. Creating a WebQuest
• A real WebQuest....
o is wrapped around a doable and interesting task that is ideally a scaled down
version of things that adults do as citizens or workers.
o requires higher level thinking, not simply summarizing. This includes synthesis,
analysis, problem-solving, creativity and judgment.
o makes good use of the web. A WebQuest that isn't based on real resources from
the web is probably just a traditional lesson in disguise. (Of course, books and
other media can be used within a WebQuest, but if the web isn't at the heart of
the lesson, it's not a WebQuest.)
o isn't a research report or a step-by-step science or math procedure. Having
learners simply distilling web sites and making a presentation about them isn't
enough.
o isn't just a series of web-based experiences. Having learners go look at this
page, then go play this game, then go here and turn your name into hieroglyphs
doesn't require higher level thinking skills and so, by definition, isn't a
WebQuest.
(http://www.webquest.org/index-create.php, 2007 )

9. Creating a WebQuest
• Go to http://questgarden.com/
• Register for 30 day trial
• Complete Registration
• You arrive at the Quest Garden Member Home Page
• Create a New Webquest
• Follow Instructions

10. Advantages
• Powerful learning tool
• Interesting/interactive/fun
• Students use a variety of websources
• Integratation of technology into classroom
• Encourage development of intrinsic motivation for
learning i.e. learners own personal interest
• Students become ‘involved learners’
• Provide variety in the classroom routine
• Help students improve researching and internet skills
• Easy to use

11. Other Games for LL
• http://www.onestopenglish.com/ (under games and
activities – Free Games – Street Cats)
• http://www.lumosity.com/brain-games/flexibility-
games/word-bubbles
• http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/englishfile/
preint/i_games/
• http://www.languagegames.org/
• http://www.btinternet.com/~ted.power/games.htm

12. Useful Websites
• http://www.webquest.org/
• http://questgarden.com/
• http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat015.shtml
• http://www.teach-
nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/computing/web_quests/language/
• http://www.ucam.edu/corell/issues/issue-3-2010
• http://www.polyglot.pitt.edu/workshops/techfall03/webquests.html
• http://www.onestopenglish.com/section.asp?theme=mag&docid=145579
• http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/think/articles/webquests
• http://www.iptv.org/exploremore/ge/Teacher_Resources/webquests.cfm#w
q
• http://www.xtec.cat/crle/05/wq.htm