This document reviews and summarizes three different WebQuests: The first WebQuest guides students through analyzing geometry in art and creating their own geometric artwork and posters. The second has students investigate functions and transformations by creating graphs of absolute value functions. The third addresses digital citizenship by having students research topics like access, communication, and rights/responsibilities online and create a word cloud and bills of rights. All three received positive reviews for engaging students in higher-order thinking and having them synthesize their learning through creative projects.

1. WebQuest 101 Part 1- What is a WebQuest?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4rel5qOPvU
The first video in the series discusses an overview of what a WebQuest is.
WebQuests “allow students to search the internet to answer deep and meaningful
questions about the world around them”. These Quests are typically broken into
three main sections for the students: Introduction, Task and Process. Then through
this they form their own opinion and conclusions.
WebQuest 101 Part 2- How to Make a WebQuest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyht-ehlAWY&feature=relmfu
This video discusses how to create your own WebQuests. These WebQuests require
higher order thinking skills in order to complete. The task is the central focus and
should be a higher level question and should not have one straight forward answer.
The goal of a Quest is for the students to investigate the idea and then be able to
produce something to show their learning. This can be done in a multitude of ways
such as a project, creating their own end result, being prepared for a discussion, etc.
But the central question is how to design a WebQuest? The video suggests to start
with task that you want the students to do. Then from there you can build the
design. WebQuest (http://www.webquest.org), QuestGarden
(www.questgarden.com) and other tools can be used to help create WebQuests.
Reviews:
#1- QuestGarden: Find the Geometry WebQuest
http://questgarden.com/89/25/8/091029084413/
This WebQuest takes students through different steps where the students
analyze how Geometry is in the world around them. The students first look to
describe parallel and transversal lines, vertical angles, circles and concentric circles,
etc. in a picture or object that they know. They then summarize their findings in a
paragraph. For the next step, they create a picture that uses specific geometric
properties such as perpendicular lines, concentric circles, midpoints, etc. Then next
step they take is to extend their knowledge. The students create their own picture
and directions on how to create the geometric picture using the appropriate
properties and vocabulary. The last step has the students search for artwork in the
world around us that is inspired by mathematics. The students are to then write
about the piece and how math is used in this. Once the students have completed all
four steps, the students then create a poster that shows their four steps and
creations.
Scoring: 6/6
Overall Design: 2 Ease of Use: 2 Higher Order Thinking Skills: 2
This WebQuest has many resources for students to use, provides examples, has very
detailed directions that allow students to follow through easily. The students are
expected to do a great deal of inquiry, searching and synthesize the worlds of math
and art.
#2- Zunal: Fun with Functions WebQuest

2. http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=247118
For this WebQuest, students investigate functions and transformations of
functions. I chose this WebQuest because it is a subject that we struggled with
teaching this year. Additionally, as a teacher who has both Algebra 1 and Geometry
students, typically it is easier to find applications and extensions for Geometry but it
is more difficult for Algebra 1. Through this investigation students create graphs of
absolute value functions and then transform them to discover how the equation
changes. Through this investigation students access a wide variety of online tools
from Online Graphing Calculator tool to Khan Academy and Math is Fun.
Scoring: 5/6
Overall Design: 2 Ease of Use: 2 Higher Order Thinking Skills: 1
The overall design of the WebQuest is very user friendly and easy to use. The Quest
expects students to use some higher order thinking skills but I would have liked to
see something more that the students created, rather than just a worksheet with
questions. There is a lot of potential with how the students could show their
learning and I would have liked to see something the students create as a result.
#3- Weebly; Digital Citizenship WebQuest
http://digitalcitizenshipwebquest.weebly.com
I chose this WebQuest because our school is constantly struggling with how
to address Digital Citizenship with our students. We have the students sign
contracts and watch videos, but do they really take away why it is important to
analyze what information and voice you are putting out there. We feel that what we
have done up to this point hasn’t highlighted all of the complicated nature of Digital
Citizenship. This WebQuest has students look at nine different topics surrounding
Digital Citizenship: Access, Commerce, Communication, Literacy, Eqiquette, Law,
Health/Wellness, Security, and Rights/Responsibility. The reason that I like this is
that there are multiple things that the students read and do for each of the nine
topics. The final step has them creating a Word Cloud through Tagxedo and then
creats 5 “Bills of Rights” for Digital Citizenship. Through this process students
investigate and learn a great deal about the power that their digital footprint leaves.
Hopefully, inspiring them to be more thoughtful about what they do online.
Scoring: 6/6
Overall Design: 2 Ease of Use: 2 Higher Order Thinking Skills: 2
I think this WebQuest is GREAT! I can see so many benefits for our students! This
webstie is easy to use, very aesthetically pleasing and easy to read. And best of all
students do something with everything they are learning. Giving them more
investment in their education. I know this is always a hot topic in education so this
would be great for students, teachers and administration to use!