Web Quests by Bernie Dodge
Web Quests are resource projects completed online that follow seven
basic steps. The steps include: Picking a fruitful, appropriate
TOPIC and GOAL, Selecting a TASK that engages higher level thinking,
Start creating the WEBSITE, Developing an EVALUATION, Flesh out
the PROCESS, Write documentation for other TEACHERS, and lastly Test
it. REVISE as needed.
Having my students' do a webquest as opposed to an actual lesson has
some gray areas for me. I agree with slide 6 of Professors Dodge's slide for
the teacher. The first step asks, "Is the web quest replacing a lesson that
I am unhappy with?" That step would be my main choice for choosing a web
quest as opposed to a teacher lecture or I could see myself choosing the
web quest to add depth to the content that I have already begun teaching.
My main concern is being able to find internet sites that are kid- friendly,
grade appropiate, and presentor of the truth.
The three examples of Web Quests provided a clear model of what a
web quest would look like, and what is require by the person or persons
completing the web quest.
As a new teacher I could use the web quest assignment as an
reinforcement exercise, or an extention exercise of the content, or as a
means of applying the content for a specific task. With the rubric posted and
everything on the web students will alway be able to work on the project
without the teacher(independent work time).
Jackie,
I agree that we should be critical of why we are choosing to do a webquest,
and make sure that it is for the right reasons. We should also have a
clear goal in mind of what we want to accomplish, and how exactly the
format and nature of the webquests will help us accomplish that goal or
goals.
I agree that there can be some gray areas in the ways to use a webquest. As
the kids are engaged in the actual "quest" that the teacher structures,
they are going through the motions of research that we want them to
accomplish later on their own. One thing that is really important, is
commenting to kids as they make their way through the links, asking them
why one link is better than another - making them evaluate the information.
One effective strategy is to provide a poor link along with a good link and
have the kids compare why one is a waste of time and the other is useful.
Kids can actually have a link rating session - in doing so, their
evaluation skills grow. You mentioned the rubric - it can be good for the
kids to know it ahead of time and sometimes I find that they are confused
by it, so I guess we try both ways, some things work for some kids, some
things don't.
Jackie,