FeedManiac Monday: Webquests–What are they?
May 10, 2010 in Elementary Educators, High School Teachers, Maniac Mondays, Middle School Teachers Tags: maniac monday, webquests
photo by D’Arcy Norman www.flickr.com
I recently wrote an article for Bright Hub about a five themes of geography webquest for teachers to use in their classrooms. What I found interesting when I was researching webquest ideas for this article was the difference between a “true” webquest and then what some teachers call a webquest. A true webquest is challening students to solve a problem or task, using higher level thinking skills and the Internet as a resource.
I found this great website called Webquest.org that had a lot of tips and links to help teachers use webquests in their classrooms. But what I found the most interesting were these characteristics that all webquests should have:
1. Webquests should require students to use higher level thinking skills to solve a problem that adults may have to solve in every day life or at their jobs.
2. A webquest makes good use of the Internet. Students will have to consult several websites to solve the task presented to them.
3. Webquests ARE NOT a report or power point presentation given after a student consults several websites. It’s not just a fancy research paper.
4. It is also not just a bunch of website experiences where students go to different websites and play a game or read a page. Students have to solve a task, and the websites are helping them.
If I was still working in the regular elementary education classroom today, I could see myself using webquests at the end of units or to help differentiate lessons for my students. Webquests are a great way to challenge gifted students in the regular classroom.
Do you use webquests? If so, how? Do you write your own or do you use free ones that are already on the Internet? Let us know!
May 10th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
I am intrigued by the Webquests you mentioned. I must admit I am definitely a novice when it comes to technology use in the classroom. I am currently furthering my education and am enrolled in a technology class. We have just begun reading and learning about web tools for the classroom in Will Richardson’s text: Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. I haven’t read anything about Webquests yet, nor have used them in the classroom. I would, however, love to try it. Have you used them in your practice? If so, do you find that filters often hinder a Webquest experience because they block too many sites? Any other tips or insights you could offer would be greatly appreciated by this greenhorn.
May 11th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
I have not actually used webquests in the classroom because I currently work in a preschool. However, I can see your point that all the filtering school districts are doing could hinder this. One way to get around this would be to allow students to work on the webquest at home and at school. If you are interested, visit that Webquest.org website I recommended or even do a Google search for something like “5th grade math webquests”. Bright Hub (also a link I mentioned) is starting to get more information on webquests, so you could do a search on that site for webquests, too. The great thing about teachers is they are always willing to share, and so you can use several of them for free to test them out before you try to write your own.
May 11th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Thanks for your insight. Having some students continue the Webquest at home would be a great back-up plan for those with PCs. I will most certainly check out these sites when I have a few free minutes. And yes, we teachers love free materials! Thanks again for all of the resources. Wish me luck.
May 14th, 2010 at 11:32 am
wow, wish these had been around when I was in school. Being a former honor student, I understand their appeal. They let the student work at their own pace, and it doesn’t sound boring. More like going on an adventure via the Internet.
May 14th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
No doubt, Sarah. I was thinking the same thing when I was writing this blog post and the article for Bright Hub.