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What is a WebQuest?

"A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the web. WebQuests are designed to use the learner's time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, syntheses, and evaluation."

     --Bernie Dodge, San Diego State University, originator of WebQuests

The WebQuest model provides structure and guidance for teachers designing a learning activity that promotes thinking beyond the basic read and recall while making good use of the Internet. Students are given a scenario and a task, which usually is a problem to solve or a project to complete. Current events and social, economic, and environmental issues are great topic areas that lend themselves well to WebQuests. These topic areas enable students to explore and evaluate the issues involved from varying perspectives. They can then analyze and synthesize information from the resources provided to them on the World Wide Web (WWW) and the result is their own solution to the problem.

Why Use a WebQuest?
  • Increased learner motivation through creative and problem-solving tasks; students must do more than memorize information
  • Effective design can help students "learn how to learn" and master complex tasks
  • Encourages cooperative learning among student groups
  • Improved and more focused use of the Internet to alleviate constraints of time and/or subject matter
  • Integrates information technology into the classroom of the "Net Generation"
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WebQuest Tutorial
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