Web Quests in 21st Century Learning

Reaching more students successfully

What is a WebQuest?

 Inquiry-based learning  Student-centered  Combines instructional strategies  Uses and processes information  Can be short-term or long-term  Organized in a specific way that has become universal

Web Quests in 21st Century Learning

Reaching more students successfully

WebQuest format:

•Introduction •Task •Resources •Process •Evaluation •Conclusion  Teacher's Guide(optional)

EXAMPLE:

“Literary Fan Club”

http://itdc.sbcss.k12.ca.us/curriculum/literaryfanclub.html

Web Quests in 21st Century Learning

Reaching more students successfully

Inquiry-Based Learning WebQuests

 Focus students' inquiry on questions that are challenging and have to be solved  Teach students specific procedures and strategies in the process of solving the quest (i.e.,

metacognition

and

problem solving

)  Include opportunities for students to access information that is essential to the inquiry  Give students opportunities to work with peers (cooperative learning)  Help students develop competencies while completing a sequence of activities  Provides the opportunity for performance/presentation  Involve students in the process of deriving the standards for performance  Rely on authentic assessment of learning

Web Quests in 21st Century Learning

Reaching more students successfully

Student-Centered:

 Students play a role  Not text book driven  Teacher as facilitator  Choosing themes that have meaning to students  Have a stake in the presentation and set up their own criteria

An example of how a WebQuest is student-centered:

“

Rewriting Romeo and Juliet

” http://www.richmond.edu/~ed344/webquests/shakespeare/ •Cross-curricular  English  Drama/Film  Social Studies - cultural studies •Meaningful learning Comprehension and transferable knowledge •Multi-media presentation Greater retention

The Internet in the 21st Century School

The Why and How for Success for All

Cooperative Learning:

•Working in a team Business model (

Knowledge Management

) AND life-long learning •Social skills •Learn how to deal with constructive feedback •Learn how to reach a consensus •Awareness of their contribution (reflection sheet) •Learn about different jobs and roles •Listening skills •Verbal skills •Appreciate diversity

The Internet in the 21st Century School

The Why and How for Success for All

Affective Learning

:  Enthusiasm  Motivation  Expressing opinions  Talking about frustrations  Reflection

Web Quests in 21st Century Learning

Reaching more students successfully

Learning styles - speaks to all types of learners  Tactile  Auditory  Visual  Working on students’ on strengths and weaknesses

( E.g. WebQuests for at-risk students project )

Web Quests in 21st Century Learning

Reaching more students successfully

Where to begin:

 Get together with other teachers Combine strengths and expertise  Explore Web Quests that are already available Don’t duplicate it if you don’t have to  Assess your students’ needs (

Multiple Intelligences

etc.)  Start slow E.g. Nine Reasons to Use the Internet

Created by

Sabine Cossette: •Consultant in information communication technologies (ICT) for the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) •EMSB office: 6000 Fielding Ave.

Montreal, Quebec H3X 1T4 Telephone: (514) 483-7346 Fax: (514) 483-7246 Email: [email protected]