Promoting Wonder with Web Exploration (a.k.a. Creating WebQuests)
Learn how to build a WebQuest! Perfect for the the inquiry based/collaborative classroom. Come with a project you have in mind to create a WebQuest from. Not for the faint of heart… (3-12)
Welcome
- Please get logged on to your computer and go to csd4summertech.weebly.com.
- Click on Summer 2015 Courses.
- Find and click the the Promoting Wonder with Web Exploration course.
Get Inspired
Use the resources below to find WebQuests for your grade level and subject. As you view them, think about what you like, don't like, etc.
Now that you have an idea of what is out there, beginning working on your Planning Document to design your own! If you're stuck on a particular section, you can find help below. Once you feel ready, you can choose a tool and begin putting it all together on the web!
- Zunal WebQuest Maker - www.zunal.com
- Quest Garden - questgarden.com/author/examplestop.php
- eMints - http://www.emints.org/inside-emints/webquests/by-emints-teachers-2/
Now that you have an idea of what is out there, beginning working on your Planning Document to design your own! If you're stuck on a particular section, you can find help below. Once you feel ready, you can choose a tool and begin putting it all together on the web!
Part 1: The Big Ideas
Possible Tasks:
If you're having trouble thinking of good tasks to go along with your WebQuest, check out the resources below and they're sure to spark some ideas:
If you're having trouble thinking of good tasks to go along with your WebQuest, check out the resources below and they're sure to spark some ideas:
- WebQuest Taskonomy - A compilation of a variety of tasks from creative to mystery (and everything in between)
- WebQuest Task Design Worksheet - This worksheet contains a variety of questions that are designed to help you develop a task for your WebQuest. Feel free to print it out or just work through the questions on a piece of paper!
Part 2: Links You'll Use
At some point during the WebQuest, you'll probably want to direct students to a particular website or resource that will help guide their research. The idea behind this section is to compile some quality online resources that you believe will support students in their efforts to answer the guiding question and complete the task at hand. Find 3 good websites about your chosen topic that students can use to gather information.
Part 3: Required Background Information
Before beginning the WebQuest, students will require some background information on the topic. How will students get that information? Will it be part of your WebQuest process? Will you provide it during class time before the WQ is assigned? What things will they absolutely need to know before embarking on the WebQuest? Think key terms, historical information, etc.
Part 4: Student Roles
WebQuests are typically a collaborative activity. Having roles assists students in delegating the different responsibilities and allows them to accomplish a large task together. Roles should be relevant to the task at hand. For example, if students are playing the role of a travel guide, all of the roles/responsibilities should relate directly to that task in some way (eg. Cultural Specialist, Linguistic Expert, etcetera). Generally, a WebQuest will have three to four roles.
Part 5: Tracking/Guiding Student Research (a.k.a. the Process)
Students should be provided a specific way to keep track of their research and work throughout the WebQuest. This section is designed for you to outline essential questions that you want students to find the answers to during the WebQuest. This could include defining key terms, taking notes, and more. See the examples below for more ideas on what this looks like:
Part 6: Hook 'em with an Awesome Intro
The idea behind the hook is to lure students in to the activity by showing them why the question that they're answering in completing this WebQuest is fascinating, problematic, or controversial by using multimedia, anecdotes, and more! Make it relevant to them!
Part 7: Evaluating Student Work
Here are some great resources for grading student WebQuest work:
Part 8: Create
Click on the tools below to get a comprehensive pro/con list for each to help you make an informed decision:
Create Your Own:
Weebly |
Once you're done adding all of the information to your WebQuest, use this rubric to grade yourself. This is a great way to make sure that you've created a visually-appealing, effective WebQuest!
Tips & Tricks
- Sometimes URLs can be difficult for students to type, which takes up valuable class time. Instead, create a QR code for students to scan that will be included on the graphic organizer that you provide to them!
- If you are struggling with an idea, do some searching for your subject area/grade level and see what others are doing for inspiration!
- Use multimedia often! As long as they're relevant, photos, clipart, and videos can be extremely beneficial.
Resources
- WebQuest Planning Document
- Weebly Education - education.weebly.com
- Google Sites - sites.google.com
- Zunal WebQuest Maker - www.zunal.com
- Quest Garden - questgarden.com/author/examplestop.php
- eMints - http://www.emints.org/inside-emints/webquests/by-emints-teachers-2/
- Self-Check Rubric - http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestrubric.html