Webquests in the language classroom

Technology will never replace great teacher, but technology in the hands of great teachers is transformational.

-George Couros-

Generative Questions:

How can teachers evaluate webquests?

What is the importance of using webquests in the language class?

Theme of week 10 is related to WebQuests and its uses.

One of the most striking features of this topic is that WebQuests encourages learners to focus on authentic use of language through problem-solving and critical assessment of info.

What are WebQuests?

It is an inquiry-based activity; that is to say, it is instructional strategy that integrates web into classroom activity. Hubbard & Levy (2006). Apart of this, it is important to recognize that there are three main elements in a WebQuest project which are: inquiry-based, meaningful use of web information, and critical thinking skills.

By the way, we must not forget that  WebQuests are a lesson format developed by Dr. Bernie Dodge from San Diego State University. On the one hand, WebQuest is an inquiry-based curriculum unit. On the other hand, in these activities, learners don't just memorize facts and retell them to the professor. Students should take the data which they interact in order to transform it; added to that, it is possible to create new material that has meaning to them. It seems to me that, WebQuests, pupils create meaningful projects through oral presentations, posting to the web, etc.

WebQuests are focused on an engaging and achievable task. In fact, Dodge mentions that WebQuest tasks go beyond simply answering questions; rather than these require higher order thinking skills such as creativity, analysis, synthesis, judgment and problem solving.

Disadvantages

Ambiguity: Often in Webquests, there is no right or wrong answers.

Students work at different speeds: students who have growing up using computers work at a much faster pace than students who do not have access at home.

Resources: Webquest require a lot of hours spent on the computers for each student to complete.

Different levels of difficulty in reading: the internet is filled with a wide range of resources, authored by everything from bloggers to academics. With this wide range, it is important to understand that not all students will be able to synthesize the information learned.

Staying on task: it is important to know your students and their personalities before taking on a Webquest if you believe this may be a problem.

Advantages

• WebQuests are often cooperative in nature, requiring students to take on roles where they are part of a team that must accomplish the task.

• They have to become experts on a certain topic and share this information with their group.

• They know their teammates are counting on them to contribute to the completion of the final task. Because they know their results will be shared with others in some format, often times on the Web, they know they have a real, sometimes worldwide audience.

• Most students are motivated to do quality work when they know that someone other than their classmates and teacher will see the results of their work.

• One of the key reasons for using WebQuests is that they prompt higher-level thinking.

• The questions posed to students require more than just finding and spitting back information. They must take the information they research and transform it into something else. Often students have to evaluate a variety of information sources that contain multiple opinions.
  
  

• WebQuests provide teachers with a structured environment where they can integrate technology into the curriculum and make it beneficial to the students.

• Can be adapted and changed as needed.

• Can be shorter term or longer term.

Elements of a WebQuest

Intoduction: this section introduces the topic of the Webquests, sets, the stage.

Tasks: this is a brief overview of the assigments to be completed. The tasks might include a list of objetives to be met during the course of the assigment.

Process: this explain the procedure that students will go throught to complete the task you have assigned them. Teacher gives them step-by-step directions or giben them some general guiding questions.

Roles: it is important to explain to students how they will demonstarte their knowledge

Resources: this a page teacher.

Evaluation: the evaluation section is essentially a rubric that informs the students how you will be grading them on their final product.

Conclusion: it brings closure and encourages reflection. Sumarize wat the learnerswill have accomolished or learned by completing this activity or lesson.

References

Graham Butt. (2006). Lesson Planning. New York, USA: Continuum International Publishing Group.