WebQuest

From LIS 460 Summer 2007

1 What is a WebQuest?
2 Format
3 WebQuests in School Libraries
4 Other Important Points
5 Related Sources

What is a WebQuest?

According to the official website, “a WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web.” Or to put it another way, a WebQuest is a structured learning activity where students use the Internet for information discovery. The concept of a WebQuest was developed in 1995 by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University.

WebQuests often present a scenario that requires students to gather, process, and analyze information in a way that promotes learning and “higher level thinking.” Many WebQuests are designed around classroom lessons and are one way to use technology to provide deeper understanding of a topic. WebQuests are often set up for a group of students to work together as a team, with each person assuming a different role.

[edit]

Format

Many WebQuests follow a general format and often consist of the following elements (Braun, 2001; Lacina, 2007):

• Introduction: Lets students know what the WebQuest will be about by setting up a particular situation or scenario.

• Task: Students are presented with a specific task to complete – one that is interesting, challenging and requires higher level thinking.

• Resources: Students are given a list of resources that will provide information to help them complete the WebQuest. Resources are often electronic, but print resources may be used as well.

• Process: Provides a list of steps that students need to follow. If different roles have been assigned to each student, they often follow the same process but look at the task from different perspectives.

• Evaluation: This section sets out the specific criteria that will be used to evaluate the project. This will give the students a clear understanding of what they will need to do to achieve a successful outcome.

• Conclusion: The conclusion provides an opportunity to wrap up the lesson by summarizing the major points.

[edit]

WebQuests in School Libraries

There are a lot of opportunities to use WebQuests in schools, both in the library and in classrooms. School librarians could create or use existing WebQuests to teach skills on information finding, web site evaluation, or research. Since WebQuests are project-based, another approach might be for librarians and teachers to collaborate and present a lesson that incorporates library skills into the overall project. Perhaps the librarian could teach an introductory lesson on evaluating websites as a way of giving the students some background information about how to use the Internet for research. This could be a good lead-in to the WebQuest. Also, if the school library has enough computers, students could work on the project in the library and have access to print materials, if they have been included in the list of resources.

[edit]

Other Important Points

• A WebQuest is not simply a scavenger hunt of the web. Rather, it is a lesson that requires careful reading, analysis, and higher level thinking.

• Search WebQuest.Org to find WebQuests by subject area and/or grade level. Or try a keyword search to find a WebQuest on a particular topic.

• There are also many WebQuests available on the Internet and like any online resource they should be evaluated on an individual basis. For older WebQuests, be sure to check all of the links to make sure they still work.

• If you wish to create your own WebQuest, there is a lot of information to guide you through the process. A good place to start is the section on Useful WebQuest Resources at WebQuest.Org.

[edit]