http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/grant/explorers/
As one of my fellow bloggers stated in an earlier post, I too was unsure as to what a webquest truly was. Now that I have seen a few on the internet and even read a webquest about what a webquest is, I have a very clear understanding of how cool they really are!
This particular webquest focuses on social studies, in particular a project that involves the research and understanding of various explorers and their contributions. The webquest is set up in a manner that is very easy to follow, and the teacher has done a wonderful job in stating clear goals for the project. This lets me know that the teacher is prepared to teach her students, which follows the This We Believe characteristic of educators valuing young adolescents and being prepared. The fact that the teacher used a webquest for the project also connects to TWB by using multiple learning and teaching approaches. The teacher could have easily not used a webquest and handed this information out in a packet in class. However, this teacher took the time to think about the process of the project, set up the webquest, and make sure that the students had all of the resources they needed available to them. The rubric is also posted, which lets the kids know what the teacher is expecting of them and what they need to do to be successful on this project. I also love how detailed the teacher is in the roles of the members in the group, as well as the basic directions. Instead of having to repeat yourself in the classroom, students can go to the webquest and reread the directions before coming to you for clarification. This helps them to become active learners.
I love the idea of a webquest! It incorporates technology, mulitple disciplines, and gives students the opportunity to work in groups and individually. It hits on all the key elements that we have studied in our reading that make a successful middle school. While it would take a little work on the front end, webquests would be extremely beneficial in a middle school classroom. I can't wait to create one for my 5th graders!
Webquest were so new to me but now that I have a better understanding of them I really like the idea. As you mentioned it could have been easy for the teacher to hand out a worksheet but she taught about the students and wanted to make the assignment engaging and using various teaching methods, as well as technology. This webquest show the teacher knows and understands the students. I also like how easy the site was navigate.
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