"What are WebQuests?",
some of you may ask.
According to WebQuest.Org, "A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that
learners work with comes from the web." A WebQuest can range from a very simple document to a detailed website. All you need are hyperlinks! WebQuest.Org points out important attributes of a WebQuest:
A real Webquest...
- is wrapped around a doable and interesting task that is ideally a scaled down version
of things that adults do as citizens or workers.
- requires higher level thinking, not simply summarizing. This includes synthesis,
analysis, problem-solving, creativity and judgment.
- makes good use of the web. A WebQuest that isn't based on real resources
from the web is probably just a traditional lesson in disguise. (Of course,
books and other media can be used within a WebQuest, but if the web isn't at
the heart of the lesson, it's not a WebQuest.)
- isn't a research report or a step-by-step science or math procedure. Having learners
simply distilling web sites and making a presentation about them
isn't enough.
- isn't just a series of web-based experiences. Having learners go look at this
page, then go play this game, then go here and turn your name into hieroglyphs
doesn't require higher level thinking skills and so, by definition, isn't a
WebQuest.
At the time of this post, WebQuest.Org offers a 2-year subscription to it's WebQuest creation tool, QuestGarden, at $20 for 2 years. Not too bad, but this penny-pincher has not yet joined. The presentation is nice and clean. Here is a link to a QuestGarden lesson.
Recently, I collaborated with a fellow media specialist and the 3rd grade teachers at her school. I created a WebQuest for a Science lesson on Endangered Species of Georgia. I opted to utilize a free website-creator, Weebly. If you have not experienced Weebly, check it out. Actually, that is a good idea for my next post, thank you very much!
The main thing to remember about WebQuests is to check your links before using, as they can expire or move. Or you may even find something better. A few of these links were advanced for some of the students, but with the help of the media specialist and teacher being nearby, the lesson was a great success and my WebQuest enjoyed by all:
http://endangeredspeciesgeorgia.weebly.com/
I recently heard a great interview with the award-winning author and children's book illustrator, Brian Selznick. Mr. Selznick's new book, Wonderstruck, debuted earlier this month to raving editorial reviews, and high ratings on user-rated websites. Using the illustration/text format he used in The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the new novel follows two youngsters whose paths eventually cross, and who share a trait: they are both deaf.
Catch up with the interview here (read, stream, or podcast):
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/13/140403979/wonderstruck-a-novel-approach-to-picture-books
A tech-geek friend was visiting recently and needed to use my computer. I noticed he immediately snubbed my Google default search option and chose to use Dogpile instead. I asked what he preferred about that search engine, and he muttered something about it being more comprehensive. I decided to research further and discovered Dogpile is a metasearch engine - one that searches several engines or databases to provide more results. Hmmm, ok. So, what else is out there? Lots! If you get a chance, take a look at this website, which has compiled a list of many search engines categorized for different purposes. Providing many options that specialize in everything from books, games, multimedia, blogs, and open source, this is an information-seeker's dream for streamlining searches. This would be a great media lesson for older students in honing those 21st-Century Skills!
Check it out:
http://www.thesearchenginelist.com/
