A Web Quest is not much different from creating any kind of lesson. It
requires getting your learners oriented, giving them an interesting and doable
task, giving them the resources they need and guidance to complete the task,
telling them how they'll be evaluated, and then summarizing and extending the
lesson.
A Web Quest is an interactive learning exercise using a variety
of internet resources. According to Bernie Dodge from San Diego State University
there are two types of Web Quests: short-term and long-term. The short-term
involves knowledge acquisition and integration, making sense of a large amount
of information. It can be completed in one to three class periods. A longer-term
Web Quest extends and refines knowledge. Students transform information and
demonstrate what they've learned by developing a survey, discussion area, or
response form. Long-term Web Quests can take from one to four weeks to
complete.
Students participate in a Web Quest to maximize their learning
in the most efficient way and are guided through steps to organize the learning
process. Learners focus on a tangible, high-tech task with a Web Quest. Since
there is an audience to create for, students are motivated by the possibility of
getting feedback on their product.
Different forms of Web Quests include
searchable databases, microworlds that can be navigated, interactive story or
case study, forum-type documents that elicit analysis of a situation, and
on-line interview simulation. Non-electronic resources that could be used are
print materials from libraries and personal interviews to conduct an opinion
survey.
Pedagogical principles involve reflection, collaboration, cooperation, social
skills such as consensus-building skills, open minded thinking, multiculuralism,
critical thinking, problem-solving, and an interdisciplinary approach. The
underlying principles of webquests are active involvement of students in the
learning process and structured ways for students to guide themselves through
discovery of new material.
Web Quests lead students to use reasoning
skills not learned through memorization of specific facts, but rather developed
from engaging in a problem-based process and applying both past experience and a
wide variety of Internet information to the Web Quest outcome. Critical thinking
skills are utilized in a Web Quest to interpret, analyze, evaluate, and draw
inferences from the information obtained from Internet resources. By thinking
critically during a Web Quest, students are able to:
Cooperative learning is another essential aspect of Web Quests since
Web Quests encourage students to take ownership of their learning and use a
collaborative process of discovery to facilitate the learning that is taking
place. Cooperative learning fosters a communal learning environment, allowing
for constant comprehension checks and ample opportunities for exchange of
ideas.
In addition, social skills are developed when students participate
in Web Quests. Social skills such as listening, cooperating, affirming others,
giving constructive criticism, and accepting differing view points are
fine-tuned in the process of working with different personalities. While working
together in small groups, students also learn to express opinions effectively
and use language that will appeal to group members.
When participating in
Web Quests, students are often exposed to mutiple ways of viewing ideas or
content. The need to see things from a variety of perspectives fosters
open-minded thinking. Once students are accustomed to such thinking, they are
more able to understand and respect diversity and people from cultures different
than their own. Participation in Web Quest can promote multiculturalism and
diversity.
Reflection is another critical aspect of Web Quests. When
students reflect, they analyze and evaluate their own thinking and
problem-solving processes. Reflection is a careful, deliberate kind of thinking
that helps students make sense of what they experienced and how they should
proceed. The purpose of reflection is to shift emphasis from the product (or
answer to a question) to the process of constructing knowledge.
Web
Quests also foster an interdisciplinary approach to learning. When students make
essential connections between and across content in the curriculum, they begin
to relate their learning to their real-life experiences. Context which is
embedded in realistic problem solving allows for deeper understanding and more
meaningful learning.
When used fully, Web Quests can promote reflection,
collaboration, cooperation, open minded thinking, multiculturalism, critical
thinking, problem solving and an interdisciplinary approach.
Web Quests
should contain the following:
The purpose of the introduction section of a Web Quest is twofold: first,
it's to orient the learner as to what is coming. Secondly, it should raise some
interest in the learner through a variety of means. It is an introduction that
sets the stage and provides some background information.
The task in a Web Quest is a description of what the learner will accomplish during the exercise. It could be a product, like a HyperStudio stack or PowerPoint presentation, or it might be a verbal act, such as being able to explain a specific topic. The task should be doable and interesting.
In the process phase of a Web Quest, the teacher suggests the steps that learners should go through in completing the task. It may include strategies for dividing the task into subtasks, descriptions of roles to be played or perpectives to be taken by each learner. The instructor can also use this place to provide learning advice and interpersonal process advice, such as how to conduct a brainstorming session.
The resources in a Web Quest are a list of web pages which the instructor has located that will help the learner accomplish the task. They should be pre-selected so that learners can focus their attention on the topic rather than surfing aimlessly. Print resources may also be included.
An evaluation rubric is called for. Check out this sample rubric. Since the learning we're looking for is at the loftier reaches of Bloom's Taxonomy, we can't gauge it with (readily) with a multiple-choice test. Click here for an example of chart outlining Web Quest activities that use each of Bloom's seven levels of thinking.
A conclusion that brings closure to the quest, reminds the learners about what they've discovered, and perhaps encourages them to extend the experience into other domains. The Conclusion section of a Web Quest provides an opportunity to summarize the experience, to encourage reflection about the process, to extend and generalize what was learned, or some combination of these. It is a critically important piece, rounds out the document, and provides the learner with a sense of closure.
This activity encourages learners to reflect about which resources they found most helpful during the Web Quest. It also encourages learners to reflect on the collaboration process. Finally, learners should reflect on the validity and relevance of the resources they used.
Extension activities provide opportunities for students to extend their learning beyond the Web Quest both in and outside the classroom. It might also provide opportunities for students to create their own Web Quests to share with their peers.
This section includes the goals and objectives of the Web Quest, hints on managing a Web Quest, extensive resources for the teacher in planning and implementing the Web Quest, and other appropriate on- and off-line materials.
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