A Cooperative Learning Strategy
What WebQuests are
NOT!
WebQuests created by On the Job
WebQuest Index - OTJ
WebQuests are Rich Tasks. They take time to complete but the learning is deep.
WebQuests are Rich Tasks where students are asked to explore more deeply into a topic. Students use and develop their creative and critical thinking skills by researching, discussing, debating and in some cases, carrying out Community of Inquiries [Philosophy for Students].
A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web, but students don't go looking on the web for their resources - these resources are provided for them [to save lots of time!].
A WebQuest is distinguished from other Internet-based research by four characteristics.
- First, it is classroom-based.
- Second, it emphasizes higher-order thinking (such as analysis, creativity, or criticism) rather than just acquiring information.
- And third, the teacher preselects the sources [or they are indicated on the website], emphasizing information use rather than information gathering.
- Finally, though solo WebQuests are not unknown, most WebQuests are group work with the task frequently being split into roles or perspectives.
A WebQuest has
6 essential parts:
introduction, task, process, resources, conclusion
and evaluation.
Introduction
The introduction explains to the students the real life or fictional problem
to be solved. It provides an overview; whether global or local of this
problem.
Task
The task is the formal description of what the students will produce in the
WebQuest. The task should be meaningful and fun. Creating the task is the
most difficult and creative part of developing a WebQuest.
Process
The steps the students should take to accomplish the task. It is frequently
profitable to reinforce the written process with some demonstrations.
The process explains how the different roles are involved in the jigsaw of
the problem. As most WebQuests are group based, this solving of the problem
is collaborative. Students
research and look at the problem through
different perspectives.
Resources
The resources the students should use. Providing these helps focus the
exercise on processing information rather than just locating it. Though the
instructor may search for the online resources as a separate step, it is
good to incorporate them as links within the process section where they will
be needed rather than just including them as a long list elsewhere. Having
off-line resources like visiting lecturers and sculptures can contribute
greatly to the interest of the students.
Conclusion
Time set aside for reflection and discussion of possible extensions
and links to real life situations.
Evaluation
The way in which the students' performance will be evaluated. The standards
should be fair, clear, consistent, and specific to the tasks set.
Teacher's Page
Normally, there is also a Teacher's Page where
the assessment or evaluation, links to Curriculum
documents, purpose and duration are explained.
WebQuests are NOT:
- Worksheets online
- Retrieval of information only
- No problem to be solved
- Looking at the problem from the same perspective rather than from taking on different roles/perspectives
Click here to see and use the WebQuests created or adapted by On the Job
Click here to see and use WebQuests relating to a particular category.
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