Integrating Webquests into Integrating Webquests into InstructionInstruction

Developed byDeveloped byRhonda Christensen Rhonda Christensen

Useful Resources: Useful Resources: WebQuestsWebQuests

A webquest is “an inquiry-oriented activity in A webquest is “an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the interact with comes from resources on the Internet”.Internet”.

WebQuest information adapted from Kathy Schrock, “WebQuests in WebQuest information adapted from Kathy Schrock, “WebQuests in Our Future: The Teacher’s Role in Cyberspace”Our Future: The Teacher’s Role in Cyberspace”

WebQuestsWebQuests

Short Term - designed to be completed in one to Short Term - designed to be completed in one to three class periodsthree class periods Instructional goal is knowledge acquisition and Instructional goal is knowledge acquisition and

integration.integration. Long Term - designed to be take between one Long Term - designed to be take between one

week and one monthweek and one month Learner analyzes a body of knowledge, transforms it, Learner analyzes a body of knowledge, transforms it,

and demonstrates understanding by presenting it in and demonstrates understanding by presenting it in some way.some way.

Longer Term WebQuestsLonger Term WebQuests

Requires various thinking skills (higher level in Requires various thinking skills (higher level in Bloom’s Taxonomy)Bloom’s Taxonomy) ComparingComparing ClassifyingClassifying InducingInducing DeductingDeducting Analyzing ErrorsAnalyzing Errors Constructing SupportConstructing Support AbstractionAbstraction Analyzing PerspectivesAnalyzing Perspectives

Attributes of a WebQuestAttributes of a WebQuest

Critical AttributesCritical Attributes IntroductionIntroduction TaskTask ProcessProcess Information SourcesInformation Sources EvaluationEvaluation ConclusionConclusion

Attributes of a WebQuestAttributes of a WebQuest

Non-critical AttributesNon-critical Attributes Most likely to be group activitiesMost likely to be group activities Include role-playing for learnersInclude role-playing for learners Single discipline or interdisciplinarySingle discipline or interdisciplinary

Why WebQuests?Why WebQuests?

WebQuests bring together the most WebQuests bring together the most effective instructional practices into one effective instructional practices into one integrated student activityintegrated student activity Strategies to increase student motivationStrategies to increase student motivation Develop thinking skillsDevelop thinking skills Cooperative learning processCooperative learning process

Additional Attributes of Additional Attributes of WebQuestsWebQuests

Create a central question that honestly Create a central question that honestly needs answeringneeds answering

Students are given real resources with Students are given real resources with which to workwhich to work

Included are questions that prompt higher Included are questions that prompt higher level thinkinglevel thinking

Students must transform informationStudents must transform information

Sample WebQuestsSample WebQuests

Matrix of Examples for all levels and all Matrix of Examples for all levels and all subject areas subject areas Anthem: A Utopian Society - 8th Grade Social Anthem: A Utopian Society - 8th Grade Social

Studies and Language ArtsStudies and Language Arts Statistics (Take Me Out the the Ballpark) - Statistics (Take Me Out the the Ballpark) -

High School MathematicsHigh School Mathematics

Assessing ProjectsAssessing Projects

Rubrics and checklists are useful tools for Rubrics and checklists are useful tools for assessing project-based learning or assessing project-based learning or technology-enhanced projects.technology-enhanced projects. Sample Rubric for Evaluating Sample Rubric for Evaluating WebQuestsWebQuests Sample Rubric for Evaluating Sample Rubric for Evaluating WebpagesWebpages Sample Rubric for Evaluating a Physics LabSample Rubric for Evaluating a Physics Lab

Creating your Own RubricsCreating your Own Rubrics