2. NCTE/IRA Standard 8
Students use a variety of technological and
information resources
(e.g., libraries, databases, computer
networks, video) to gather and synthesize
information and to create and
communicate knowledge.

7. The first musher in the 2008 Yukon Quest
leaves the starting grid in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Image from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2008_Yukon_Quest_start.jpg

8. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Quest map
Image from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Star_Wars_Galaxy_Map_KOTOR_Quest.jpg

9. From: http://www.mapquest.com/

10. From: http://www.gameogre.com/reviewdirectory/reviews/Adventure_Quest.php

11. But this:

12. “A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson
format in which most or all the information that
learners work with comes from the web.”
(WebQuest.org, 2007, “What is a
WebQuest?,” para. 1)
Developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State
University in 1995, along
with Tom March.

13. Relatives of WebQuests
(have been around
longer than computers )
Scavenger/Treasure
Hunts
Pathfinders

14. WebQuests, Scavenger/Treasure Hunts,
and Pathfinders
ALL
Organize learning opportunities
Guide students to using sources
Provide a framework for instruction

15. Scavenger/ Pathfinder WebQuest
Treasure Hunt
Based on a specific topic Covers one topic Built on an inquiry-based
task to finish
Students find own Students go to specific Students follow tasks,
sources of information sources of information going to listed websites
that are listed
Can be timed Sources are prescreened Activity is all-inclusive—
can be used to
introduce, practice, and
assess
Students finding bits of Students gathering Students synthesizing
information to answer information for a report information to solve a
questions or fill-in- problem
blanks

16. Benefits of WebQuests:
• Higher-Order Thinking—students need to
transform information
• Cooperative Learning—work in groups
• Authentic Assessment—links to other class
activities/real world
• Technology Integration

17. Back to:
NCTE/IRA Standard 8
Students use a variety of technological and information resources
(e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information
and to create and communicate knowledge.
With a WebQuest, students:
• Use a Word document, a wiki, a piece of paper, a
website, etc. to engage in the WebQuest
• Use any type of resource to learn the content--
the computer, books from the classroom or
library, video clips, podcasts, magazines, etc.
• Use technological and traditional sources for the
final product

18. NCTE/IRA Standard 8
Students use a variety of technological and information resources
(e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information
and to create and communicate knowledge.
With a WebQuest, students:
• Use websites, online databases, paper
sources, people, and more to gather information
• Use spreadsheets, graphic
organizers, worksheets, tables, and more to help
synthesize information

19. NCTE/IRA Standard 8
Students use a variety of technological and information resources
(e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information
and to create and communicate knowledge.
With a WebQuest, students:
• Use digital cameras, web cameras, Web 2.0
tools, Word documents, online drawing
programs, and more to create knowledge
• Use cell
phones, Twitter, wikis, websites, blogs, presentati
ons being recorded, and more to communicate
knowledge

20. So . . .
WebQuests

21. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIh59qcZdRU

22. http://fablewebquest.wikispaces.com/

23. http://animoto.com/play/R1i060UGfzoa3RRp07zbqQ

24. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQxBI-r4PgY

25. Student Comments/Observations
• Within their groups, they discussed the
Animoto explaining fables
• Read/Watched fables together as a group
• Helped each other understand morals
• Thought it was a fun way to learn
• Many did not want to be done with the
project . . . wanted to write another fable with
group, keep adding more pictures, etc.
• Were proud of final project and wanted
copies for each team membe

26. Back to:
NCTE/IRA Standard 8
Students use a variety of technological and information resources
(e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information
and to create and communicate knowledge.
With this WebQuest, students:
• Used a wiki, Animoto, Voki, Aesop Fable
databases, printer, Word
document, videos, TuxPaint

27. NCTE/IRA Standard 8
Students use a variety of technological and information resources
(e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information
and to create and communicate knowledge.
With this WebQuest, students:
• Gathered and synthesized information about
fables from resources listed on previous page

28. NCTE/IRA Standard 8
Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases,
computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and
communicate knowledge.
With this WebQuest, students:
• Created a fable using paper and pencil, then a
Word document and TuxPaint
• Communicated knowledge through printed Word
document and TuxPaint picture

29. Insights/Outcomes
• Effective for incorporating group
collaboration
• Specific directions help, specific worksheets
to print
• Maybe give them a group name, or a
category to choose from
• Expect noise
• Assign groups areas to work in
• Try to complete within a close timeframe of
a few days
• Keep papers for groups
• One role could be the “printer”

30. Possible New Questions
• What would differentiated instruction with
WebQuests look like?
• What other topics would be effective with
WebQuests?
• What is the approximate grade level for
students to work on WebQuests within their
independent groups?
• After how many WebQuests would students
start to tire of them?

32. Resources
Internet Scavenger Hunts
Education World Printable Internet Scavenger Hunts
TeacherWeb Computer Lab page
Pathfinders
Internet Public Library Pathfinders
John Newberry Elementary School Pathfinders
Suggested Pathfinders for School Libraries

33. WebQuests
http://www.bestwebquests.com/
http://internet4classrooms.com/using_quest.htm#collections
http://www.scsk12.org/why_webquests/wbresources.htm
http://www.iss.k12.nc.us/schools/webquests/summer.htm
http://kathyschrock.net/webquests/index.htm