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WEBQUEST TUTORIAL
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"
To learn more, read Tom March's article,
"What
WebQuests Are (Really)".
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