Preservice Module #7: The Design and Development of Webquests
Introduction
A WebQuest is 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. The model was developed in early 1995 at San Diego State University by Bernie Dodge with Tom March.
We now turn our attention to the design and development of a WebQuest that you can integrate directly into your unit planning. There are several steps involved in the process:
This module addresses these three steps.
Task
Following the completion of this module, you should have:
- Identified a topic for your WebQuest.
- Accessed the Evergreen Curriculum for specific learning objectives.
- Located, assessed and gathered web-based resources for inclusion in your WebQuest.
Process
Activity A
If you have not yet had the opportunity, it is suggested that you review several examples of WebQuests to gain a better understanding of, and appreciation for the various types and approaches to designing WebQuests. Lists of excellent web sites are provided in the Resources section of this module.
Activity B
Once you are ready to begin, and you have a topic in mind (although this may change during the course of your resource gathering), then the next step in the process is to identify specific learning objectives from the Evergreen Curriculum. Copy and paste the learning objectives into a Word document and save the document in your home directory.
Activity C
The final step in this aspect of the design process is to locate, assess and gather web-based resources to support your WebQuest. This step is fundamentally important to the design process. If you cannot find sufficient web-based resources, it is suggested that you select another topic. Review Module 2 for search engines, image databases, assessment templates and background information. Copy and paste the URL’s (web site addresses) into your Word document.
Once you have chosen a topic, identified the learning objectives and started to assess, locate and gather web-based resources, you will have completed module 7.
Resources
- Use the links below to access collections of WebQuests
- Dr. Alice Christie's Matrix of WebQuests
- Saskatoon East School Division: List of WebQuests
- LSU WebQuests
- The WebQuest Page Matrices of Examples (select Top, Middling, or New)
- OCDSB Inquiry Based WebQuest projects (a Canadian site)
- Some Saskatchewan Developed WebQuests
- WebQuests from Indiana University
- WebQuests page on the iTeacherEd Project
- The Evergreen Curriculum
- Saskatchewan Learning Central iSchool features web-based resources including online courses, modules and units of study.
- Large educational websites compiled by Saskatoon East School Division.
- The iTeacherED resource section.
- Saskatchewan Learning website evaluation criteria provides a comprehensive checklist for critically evaluating web sites based on accuracy, currency, objectivity, coverage, and visual appeal:
- Kathy Schrock's Guide offers the ABC's of web site evaluation:
- Checklists for schools:
- Elementary: http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/evalelem.html
- Middle years: http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/evalmidd.html
- Web site evaluation worksheet:
- Checklist for evaluating web resources:
- The Yahooligans guide to website evaluation for teachers breaks web site evaluation down into the "Four A's", Accessible, Accurate, Appropriate, and Appealing.
- Techniques for evaluating Native American websites:
- Sixty Ticks for A Good Website:
- Evaluation rubrics for websites:
Critical Thinking
Read the online article, Creating a WebQuest: It's Easier Than You Think!. Be prepared to respond to the question, Why WebQuests?