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January 1, 2003
WebQuests
By Pete MacKay
Many teachers who use the Internet as a learning tool may also be employing the WebQuest approach. A WebQuest is a natural extension of teaching with technology. In fact, it is such a logical tactic to teaching and learning in a technology setting, that many teachers may have been developing their own style of WebQuest without any formal awareness of the process!
In 1995, San Diego University's Bernie Dodge defined the WebQuest model of learning as an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web. WebQuests are designed to use learners' time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. (Peter Arthur, May 8, 2002)
This tour is a progressive look at WebQuests. We'll begin with a few sites that introduce the concept and then work through a couple on our own. We'll build on that by examining the qualities of a good WebQuest through an evaluation rubric and a study of each component. A couple of template tools are then presented that will help with the construction of your own WebQuest. We'll end with a collection of further reading and an opportunity to discuss and share with others.
Tour Stop One: What a WebQuest is All About
Some Thoughts About WebQuests
This is the first guide to the WebQuest model of learning. Dr. Bernie Dodge explains the process as he defined it in 1995, offering both advanced and novice teachers valuable information about why this technique works. This is a great article to read before using or designing your own WebQuest.
The WebQuest Page at San Diego University
Probably one of the most popular WebQuest sites on the Internet, The WebQuest Page at San Diego University is a perfect place to start if you want to find as much information as possible on this topic. The different sections offer training, theory, and hundreds of opportunities to share or participate in WebQuest projects. Be sure to check the Community section for information about who is doing what on the Net.
WebQuests 101
Tom March team-taught and co-developed the WebQuest concept with Bernie Dodge. This article represents his interpretation of the concept and how it is best used in the classroom. March presents several links and resources to increase knowledge and understanding of how to use this technique in your own classroom.
A WebQuest About WebQuests
Patty Simms created this interesting perspective on WebQuests. "To develop great WebQuests, you need to develop a thorough understanding of the different possibilities open to you as you create web-based lessons. One way for you to get there is to critically analyze a number of WebQuest examples and discuss them from multiple perspectives. That's your task in this exercise."
EdHelper.com - WebQuests
Once you have gained some foundational knowledge of the WebQuest, it is time to explore some examples. EdHelper.com's site contains over 1200 quests that you can use as is, or modify to suit your needs. The list is organized in alphabetical order by title and there is an onsite search engine to assist you.
Tour Stop Two: What Makes A WebQuest Worthwhile and Effective
A Rubric for Evaluating WebQuests
This rubric will help you pinpoint the ways in which your WebQuest isn't doing everything it could do. A team that included Bernie Dodge created it and last updated it in 2001. Print it out and use it yourself or pass it along for peer-evaluation before using it in your classroom.
Building Blocks of a WebQuest
Dodge's popular approach to building your own WebQuest is fully explained in this article. Dodge will provide the new author with definitions to each component and how best they contribute to the whole experience. This is a good starting point when you decide that you are ready to create your own WebQuest instead of using or modifying those of other teachers.
WebQuest Taskonomy: Taxonomy of Tasks
Dodge explores twelve ways to "task your learner" in this informative article that examines the most important component of the WebQuest - The Task. Learn about tasks such as Retelling, Analyzing, Designing, Persuading and others and how they can each enhance the learning experience of your students when they complete your WebQuest.
Tour Stop Three: Some Tools to Construct a WebQuest
A WebQuest Template
Spartanburg (South Carolina) District 3 County Schools modified the work of Dodge and March to create this template for creating your own WebQuest. Save the webpage to your computer then open it in your favorite HTML editor or word processor. Highlight each set of instructions and replace them with your own information. Resave either as a new webpage and post it online, or save it as a word processing document and print.
Filamentality - A WebQuest Tool
Filamentality is a collection of lessons and units in the form of WebQuests, Hotlists and others. One may use them and contribute new ones. Filamentality is a fill-in-the-blank interactive Web site that guides you through picking a topic, searching the Web, gathering good Internet sites, and turning Web resources into learning activities, one of which is a WebQuest. It helps combine the "filaments" of the Web with a learner's "mentality."
Tour Stop Four: Further Reading and Interaction
Articles and Writings on WebQuests
Educator and writer, Tom March, has been writing about the interaction between the Web and education since 1995. It is hoped that his collection of articles on this web site will provide some "big picture" vision as well as practical details for the classroom educator.
Yahoo Groups: WebQuest
The final stop on our tour offers you a chance to join this forum for sharing ideas, insights, problems, and solutions for those using the WebQuest model in their teaching. This list is a supplement to the WebQuest Page at San Diego State University.
Email: Pete MacKay
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