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"A WebQuest is a scaffolded learning structure that uses links to essential resources on the World Wide Web and an authentic task to motivate students' investigation of a central, open-ended question, development of individual expertise and participation in a final group process that attempts to transform newly acquired information into a more sophisticated understanding. The best WebQuests do this in a way that inspires students to see richer thematic relationships, facilitate a contribution to the real world of learning and reflect on their own metacognitive processes." 'WebQuest' as defined by Tom March (2003)
WebQuests motivate the students to learn by asking them to confront an complex (real life) issue by answering a question that is authentic and important. The task requires them to 'assume a role', utilise the internet and it's resources, 'develop expertise' and submit their work for 'feedback and evaluation'(March, 2003). WebQuests include elements of the Engagement Theory, which states that “students must be meaningfully engaged in learning activities through interaction with others and worthwhile tasks”(Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999); and social 'constructivism' as students are encouraged to "construct their own meaning which connects with their prior knowledge and experiences" (March, N.D).
They are inquiry based requiring 'higher order thinking skills like error analysis, comparison, and synthesis'(March, N.D)Students to connect on a deeper level to the task and then explore it until they are expert in it.
In a good example of a WebQuest ((link)), students were asked to explore the topic of making schools safer. In one section they were given photos taken the day of the Columbine shooting from the perspective of the students, victims, the law enforcement and the parents. They were given the task of gravitating naturally to a perspective that appealed to them and then given support through the internet to explore that fully. One of the links lead to a very moving page full of people relating stories of losing someone to a death by gunshot.
You couldn't help but be engaged and interested in the topic and that is exactly what a WebQuest should do. Not give students a question then lead them towards a prescribed answer; but give them that question and allow them the freedom of exploring the issues from their own view points.
I did notice though that at no time was their a photo from the perspective of the shooters. Perhaps a very wise move but is that in itself stifling the authenticity of the task? Further into the WebQuest I found that those students who did identify with those students who caused the carnage actually did have an outlet and that was from the perspective of the bullied.
A WebQuest series on creating non-violent schools Link
WebQuests sort of exemplify how the internet and its various tools can be used not just to engage a students attention but to assume a role within a group that mirrors the issue they are exploring and work cooperatively in learning groups to solve problems(March, N.D).
Tom March and Dr. Dodge (the original creators of WebQuest) have each supplied a template for teachers to use in order to help us create our own WebQuests.
Tom March's template
Dr. Dodge's tmeplate
Tom March's page to help designers of WebQuests quickly think through some key elements.
Using WebQuests in the classroom involves making sure that students have sufficient time to access the internet. You would also need to give careful thought to the genre types they are using and whether lessons will be needed to teach the students how to use the WebQuest and how to filter information effectively. Students will need to be scaffolded through the learning experience especially if they are new to the concept. Students must know how to work as part of a group effectively and how to time manage.
I envision collaborative group seating and access to the internet for each child to really get the most out of this task. Some students will have access from home and this is were a WebQuest on a wiki might be ideal. However you do it, one thing is for sure, if it is done properly it will be well worth it.
A good link for anything to do with WebQuests is WebQuest.Org
References:
Kearsley, G. & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology based teaching and learning. Retrieved July 29, 2009, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
March, T. (n.d.). WebQuests for Learning – What are the benefits of WebQuests? Retrieved on August 8, 2009, from http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/ctl/Handouts/Benefits.htm
March, T. (2002) What WebQuests Are (Really). Retrieved 15th November, 2009 from http://bestwebquests.com/what_webquests_are.asp
A WebQuest series on creating non-violent schools Retrieved 15th November, 2009 from http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/nonviolence/
WebQuest.Org Retrieved 15th November, 2009 from
http://www.webquest.org/index-resources.php
Posts
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Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right.."Using WebQuestin the classroom involves making sure that students have sufficient time..." What I find is students need to work at thier own pace. I notice that students abilities ans competence using computer varies. Just like as adults ...By using other tools like PowerPoints and Word can extend their Learning. My mentor teacher in the past was so surprise when I get a prep students to type in just about anything to just get them use to technology. Im Math I have use a lot of patterning using paint.I'd like to use WebQuest for Prep one day just use a lot of images and symbols.
Cheers Mary-Ann
Hi Mary-Ann,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting idea! I haven't quite wrapped my head around the concept but I certainly see the potential use. If you do create a WebQuest for Prep students I would be really honoured if you would let me view it. Maybe if I could see how one person achieved this I might be able to better develop my own.
Cheers,
Sharon.
Hi Sharon
ReplyDeleteWhat about the time a WebQuests takes to make? Do you think that with an ICT like WebQuests that we are forgetting about the students here and focusing on the design? I enjoyed looking at the WebQuest and think that it would be a wonderful tool, however my thought is of the time and effort that it takes and may not even be put up on the Internet if it doesn't meet the requirements.
What do you think?
Till next time
Donna
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteI think you have just addressed one the bigget problems involved with ICT's. The amount of time they take to create and this problem is compounded when you have teachers overworked and generally not equipped with the skills to create WebQuests. of course training would help and then if during training each teacher made a WebQuest that addressed a 'Big Question' that was relevant to the curriculum in their grade and those were all pooled into resource libraries we could utilise WebQuests that were already available. What do you think?
Hi Guys
ReplyDeleteMaybe the design of webquests for use in schools could be part of assessment pieces for education students at uni? Could be in the form of collaborative group assignments, best achievers get their webquests published and used. Could be state directed competition with prize money (as a great motivator!)
Not an education student so dont know if this is possible but I think they could be valuable educational tools for the creators as well as the students who use them.
Michele :-)
Hi Sharon
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of sharing the webquests as a resource library is great by the way! After all the hard work wouldnt you want as many people as possible to benefit?
:-)