Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-9q27g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-19T05:16:22.489Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

99 - WebQuests

from Activities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 June 2018

Get access

Summary

A WebQuest is a structured web-based activity. It is defined on the WebQuest home page as ‘an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all of the information the learners work with comes from the web’ (http:// webquest.org.). Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University developed WebQuests in 1995. There are tools available to create WebQuests, but the simple structure can be created on any web page or using a program such as Word or PowerPoint which can contain web links. They are ideal for use in information skills teaching as they focus on finding and using information, aiming to foster higher-order thinking, based around problem solving, analysis and synthesis.

WebQuests have a standard structure that is used as a framework for guiding the learner. Depending on the level of the learner and your learning outcomes, you can give as much or as little guidance to the learner as you desire. WebQuests can be used for a variety of purposes (see http:// webquest.sdsu.edu/taskonomy.html). This page provides a useful guide to different types of WebQuest and explains how information is used in each task. For example, is it simple information reproduction or is synthesis or judgement involved?

The structure normally involves an Introduction, Task, Process, Resources, Evaluation and Conclusion:

  • • Introduction: an overview of what is expected in the WebQuest.

  • • Task: a specific question or problem for your learners to address.

  • • Process: guidance on how learners should approach the task. This contains as much or as little information as you feel is appropriate for your learners.

  • • Resources: a selection of resources to be used in the WebQuest. These are normally web resources, but can be paper based. You may guide your learners directly to the resources they need to use, or perhaps to a directory site where the learners have to locate a resource for themselves. This can then test search and evaluation skills.

  • • Evaluation: what is required in terms of output from the WebQuest, which may include marking criteria. The output could be a report, presentation or something more creative.

  • • Conclusion: a summary which may include encouraging reflection on the task.

  • Examples may be found in Further Reading (below).

    ✓ BEST FOR

  • • providing a structure for your learning tasks

  • • encouraging higher level thinking

  • • guided tasks involving web resources.

  • Type
    Chapter
    Information
    A Guide to Teaching Information Literacy
    101 Practical Tips
    , pp. 251 - 252
    Publisher: Facet
    Print publication year: 2011

    Access options

    Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

    Save book to Kindle

    To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

    Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

    Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

    Available formats
    ×

    Save book to Dropbox

    To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

    Available formats
    ×

    Save book to Google Drive

    To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

    Available formats
    ×