WebQuests

WebQuest.org

Background Information 1

Ok... to understand a 'webquest' you need to have the basics of the following three teaching/learning techniques.
  1. Project based learning
  2. Problem based learning
  3. Inquiry based learning

For the purposes of this class, we will NOT cover these three topics IN DEPTH. We will only cover the basics. Don't try to take it all in. Just get comfortable with the basics. You'll have plenty of time in your teaching career to experiment and try all the methods.

Activity 1

What are the main differnces between these three teaching/learning techniques?

  1. Project Based Learning: Introduction (10 minutes)
  2. Problem Based Learning: Introduction (10 minutes)
  3. Inquiry Based Learning: Introduction (10 minutes)Read This Introduction --AND/OR-- Watch a selection of these videos

Background Information 2

A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. The model was developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in February, 1995 with early input from SDSU/Pacific Bell Fellow Tom March, the Educational Technology staff at San Diego Unified School District, and waves of participants each summer at the Teach the Teachers Consortium .


There is a lot of information about WebQuests out there. (just do a Google search) I'm not planning to share the specifics about webquest with you right away. I prefer you learn about it by doing activity 2 below.

Activity 2

  1. Surprise, surprise... you will be learning about a webquest by doing a webquest!
    1. Divide into groups of four members.
    2. Go to the WebQuest about WebQuests activity.
    3. Follow the instructions.

For More Information

You can get a great introduction to WebQuests at the following sites...

From Wikipedia...

Citation: Johnson, K., admin. (2008, September 17). WebQuests. Retrieved January 07, 2011, from Free Online Course Materials — USU OpenCourseWare Web site: http://ocw.usu.edu/instructional-technology-learning-sciences/principles-and-practices-of-technology/webquests.html.
Copyright 2008, by the Contributing Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Creative Commons License