Preservice Module #9: Creating Webquests
- Introduction
- | Background
- | Task
- | Process
- | Resources
- | Critical Thinking
Introduction
This module addresses the final phase in the design and development of WebQuests. Now that you have selected a topic, identified the learning objectives for the WebQuest, located, assessed and collected web-based resources, and designed the learning activities, the last remaining step is to create the web pages for your WebQuest.
Templates provide an easy way to get started creating your WebQuest. The WebQuest Page provides framed versions of WebQuest templates in several flavors. The advantages that frames provide are that learners will have less scrolling to do and teachers will be able to concentrate on one small part of the design process at a time.
This module will provide instructions on how to select, download and edit the various WebQuest templates.
Background
Unlike the old WebQuest template, which consisted of just two separate web pages, the new template is an interconnected system of smaller sections designed to fit within a frame. The good news is that this allows you to focus on one segment at a time; the bad news is that you'll need to spend a few minutes learning what goes where. What follows is a short description of each of the web pages in the new system.
| Name | File Name | Description |
| Overall Page | index.htm | A frameset consisting of a navigation bar on the left and a main frame to the right. (You don't edit this; it's what holds all the other pages together. |
| Navigation Bar | navbar.htm | Navigation bar to allow skipping among the sections of the student page, along with a link to the teacher page. (You can customize this by adding your own background graphic or color, but you shouldn't change the links unless you really know what you're getting into.) |
| Top Page | top.htm | The title page that contains the title and author names. Would usually contain an appealing graphic that distills the content. |
| Introduction | introduction.htm | An engaging first statement that draws the reader in while setting the stage for the WebQuest. Includes the guiding or central question around which the WebQuest revolves. |
| Task | task.htm | A description of the end result of the students' work; the culminating performance or product that drives all the activities of the lesson. |
| Process | process.htm | Describes step by step how the learners will accomplish the task. Includes online (and offline) resources, role descriptions (if any), and guidance on individual steps in the process. |
| Evaluation | evaluation.htm | A rubric or other means to evaluate the final task. May include rubrics or tests to measure competencies or accomplishment of interim skills. |
| Conclusion | conclusion.htm | Final statement that may include reflections on the lesson or extensions of the content for further exploration. |
| Credits | credits.htm | Description of sources used in the creation of the WebQuest, acknowledgement of help received, etc. |
You will edit all of the above files to create your WebQuest, with the exception of the first two (index.htm and navbar.htm). There are three choices for WebQuest templates:
- Traditional, No-Frame Version
- Framed Versions with Text Links
- Framed Versions with Graphic Text Rollovers
Task
Following the completion of this module, you should have:
- Selected a WebQuest template.
- Copied the information from your Word document in to the WebQuest template to create the WebQuest.
- Proofread and spell-checked your WebQuest.
Process
Activity A
- Review the WebQuest templates provided and select one that best suits your learning objectives. Click here to select and download a WebQuest template.
- Choose one of the templates
- Click on the "zipped version (for PCs)"
- Choose "Save this file to disk" and click OK
- Locate you home directory h:/username on the desktop
- Click on your website folder
- Click on your webquest folder (If you do not have a webquest folder create one by choosing FILE; NEW; FOLDER. Name your new folder "webquest")
- Save
- Open your Home Directory folder (h:/) from the desktop screen. Open your website folder. Click on your webquest folder. Open lesson-template1.zip (file names may very depending on the template you have picked but the file will end with .zip)
- Click on "lesson-template1.htm"
- Choose File; Save As
- Name the file “H:/username/website/webquest/index.htm”
- Return to your H:/ folder on the toolbar at the bottom of the screen. Open your website folder. Click on your webquest folder. Open ‘t-lesson-template1.htm”
- Choose File; Save As
- Name the file “H:/username/website/webquest/teacher.htm”
- If you chose one of the framed version templates you will need to repeat the above steps (#10 and #11) to save each file to your webquest folder. (introduction.htm, top.htm, task.htm, etc)
Activity B
Open your Word document that contains the completed sections of your WebQuest. You will need this document so that you can copy the information from your Word document into the WebQuest template. Begin to edit the pages of your WebQuest template: (If you choose the Traditional, No Frame Version your information will not be divided into separate pages but you will need to separate your information under the headings provided within index.htm)
- Title Page:
- Open the page titled top.htm (the title page that contains the title and author names) Add the title and any graphics that make this page more appealing and interesting. Save the page.
- Introduction Page:
- Open the page titled introduction.htm Copy the introduction that you wrote in your Word document into the web page. Save the web page.
- Task Page:
- Open the page titled task.htm Copy the learning objectives from the Task section that you wrote in your Word document into the web page. Save the web page.
- Process and Resources Page:
- Open the page titled process.htm Copy the learning activities as well as the list of online and offline resources that you have gathered in your Word document into the web page. Save the web page.
- Evaluation Page:
- Open the page titled evaluation.htm Copy the rubric that you have in your Word document into the web page. Save the web page.
- Conclusion Page:
- Open the page titled conclusion.htm Copy the conclusion that you wrote in your Word document into the web page. Save the web page.
- Credits Page:
- Open the page titled credits.htm Add all references, web sites and related information to this page to acknowledge and give credit to your sources for information into the web page. Save the web page.
- Teacher Resource Pages:
- Open each teacher resource page (ex. t-evaluation.htm). Add the relevant teacher material for each section. Save each web page.
Activity C
The final step is to re-view and proofread your WebQuest. Begin the WebQuest by
- Open a new internet browser (Netscape Navigator, Mozilla, Internet Explorer) window
- Change the web address to http://education.uregina.ca/username/webquest
- Proofread your WebQuest
- Check all links to make sure that they are linked correctly
Once you worked your way through all aspects of your WebQuest and proofread and spell-checked the entire WebQuest, you will have completed module 9.
Resources
Critical Thinking
How does the process of designing and developing a WebQuest compare to that of designing and developing a traditional lesson plan?