WebQuests
Hola!
Today's topic for educators are WebQuests (WQs). What are WQs, you say? Before today, I had never heard of WQs. A WQ is an inquiry-oriented lesson format that incorporates all parts of Bloom's Taxonomy. Much of or all gathered information that learners work with is from the Internet. The model was introduced to the world by a professor at the San Diego State University, who was assisted by a member of the Educational Technology staff at the San Diego Unified School District, and members of the Teach the Teachers Consortium. [The names of these individuals are purposely absent, because there may be a WQ created for you to find their names on your own dear reader.] The announcement was released in February of 1995. Where have I been?!
There are many benefits to using WQs. Here's a list of supportive reasons:
- to encourage high-level thinking (analysis, synthesis, and evaluation) from students
Today's topic for educators are WebQuests (WQs). What are WQs, you say? Before today, I had never heard of WQs. A WQ is an inquiry-oriented lesson format that incorporates all parts of Bloom's Taxonomy. Much of or all gathered information that learners work with is from the Internet. The model was introduced to the world by a professor at the San Diego State University, who was assisted by a member of the Educational Technology staff at the San Diego Unified School District, and members of the Teach the Teachers Consortium. [The names of these individuals are purposely absent, because there may be a WQ created for you to find their names on your own dear reader.] The announcement was released in February of 1995. Where have I been?!
There are many benefits to using WQs. Here's a list of supportive reasons:
- to encourage high-level thinking (analysis, synthesis, and evaluation) from students
- to motivate and engage learners
- to provide an avenue for students to learn more about a
topic/subject from their own research and use the data
- to increase interest in a topic/subject
- can be used across grade levels, ages, and subjects
- can be used across grade levels, ages, and subjects
- can be time savers
- can be universally designed for all learners (students with
special needs)
Successful WQs have 6 essential parts:
1. an introduction including objectives,
2. task or instructions,
3. the process or steps for completion,
4. a list of pre-screened online resources or web links,
5. an evaluation standard or rubric
6. A conclusion.
Some WQs add other parts, but these are the essentials. A good WQ does not bombard students with information, is logically set up/well organized, uncluttered, and has an attractive face. Students can be assigned roles or work independently in order to complete the quest.
If you are interested in reading more information on or viewing examples of valuable WebQuests visit www.webquest.org. The site includes an open forum, chat, and sharing options to assist in creating a WQ.
Successful WQs have 6 essential parts:
1. an introduction including objectives,
2. task or instructions,
3. the process or steps for completion,
4. a list of pre-screened online resources or web links,
5. an evaluation standard or rubric
6. A conclusion.
Some WQs add other parts, but these are the essentials. A good WQ does not bombard students with information, is logically set up/well organized, uncluttered, and has an attractive face. Students can be assigned roles or work independently in order to complete the quest.
If you are interested in reading more information on or viewing examples of valuable WebQuests visit www.webquest.org. The site includes an open forum, chat, and sharing options to assist in creating a WQ.
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