WebQuests

Tonight our class was introduced to the WebQuest experience. We first watched an introduction video informing us about WebQuests and what they are used for. WebQuests are the newest form of classroom research designed to keep students more active, independent as well as cooperative in their efforts to move forward in research based assignments. Next, we split into groups and all took on a different role in examining 5 existing WebQuests to evaluate and decide on which was the best and which was the worst. Once we finished examining and evaluating each site independently we regrouped and came up with a consensus. Each group chose one person to report to the class on the individual group findings. I believe this was a helpful exercise because it allowed us each to get a more in depth idea of what a WebQuest is and what is required in designing a successful one. Next we watched another video illustrating how to get started in the process of making our own WebQuests. We were then split up into groups assigned by the professor according to what subjects and grades we teach. My group is unique in that we each have different areas of specification. We spent the rest of the class period in our groups working to come up with ideas for our WebQuest. My group has decided upon a 4th grade butterfly magazine. This will be very different for me because I am usually in a high school environment and must remember to word things appropriately for the 4th grade readers it is intended for. I am a little nervous because these are due next week and we only got about an hour with our groups and I am not totally comfortable within the Wiki environment just yet. But I am excited to see where our WebQuest goes and how successful it hopefully is. Until next time...