Webquests+Are+the+Best

= **__ ﻿ The Quest of Learning__** = // Description: // Webquests are inquiry-oriented supplemental activities where most if not all of the information comes from the internet. The technology integrated lessons incorporate [|standards-based learning], multiple technology tools, problem-solving, real world tasks, team collaboration, and [|authentic assessments]. According to Bernie Dodge, founder of webquest, “it’s an instructional resource and tool that’s faster and easier for teachers to create their lessons.”

// History //: Webquests were created by [|Bernie Dodge] around 1995 for use in a course at San Diego State University. It is also used in a variety of educational settings at the k-12 level up to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level.

// Impact on Teaching and Learning: //

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” -Confucius Webquests are a [|constructivist approach] to learning that promotes creativity, discovery, and higher level thinking. Unlike research projects where students feel they’re “sucking up information and regurgitating it back onto paper for no reason,” but to get a good grade, webquests allow students to use their imagination and problem-solving skills. It’s an [|inquiry-based] activity that uses the learner’s time well by using information provided rather than looking for it. The approach of webquests contributes to collaboration among peers, group work, and problem-solving skills that relate to real-world situations. Webquests also support levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

Although not used to replace the teacher, a webquest should enhance a prior topic being taught. The teacher should be a facilitator rather than the sole dispenser of knowledge. As the teacher creates the webquest, the thought of impacting all learners should be in mind. According to [|Quest Garden], there are seven steps to creating a webquest that accommodates student’s diverse learning needs. For example, giving them predetermined rules that are very important and make them feel part of the group. The seven steps to creating a webquest, which can be found at [|www.questgarden.com] are as follows: 1. Pick a fruitful topic and goal and goal 2. Select a task that engages higher-level thinking 3. Start creating the website using questgarden.com 4. Develop an Evaluation 5. Write documents for other Teachers to use 6. Test it. Revise as needed. By giving students a new approach to learning content, such as through webquests, teachers become connoisseurs of fine student performance.

// Practical Applications: // Webquests can be applied to just about any content of learning and learning environment that has internet access. For example, a k-12 teacher can create a webquest for any content standard that pertains to a particular grade-level. The practicalities of webquests are user-friendly and hold valuable information that contributes to the creative end-project.

// Examples of Demonstrations: //

Demo Part 1: media type="youtube" key="o4rel5qOPvU?fs=1" height="385" width="480"

Demo Part 2: media type="youtube" key="Cyht-ehlAWY?fs=1" height="385" width="480"

// References: // Webquest creator: [|www.webquest.org/index-create.php] Information: [] Youtube- [] Applicable demonstration and example: [|www.webquest.hawaii.edu/kahihi/]

//About the Author:// Jenny Tanaka is currently a Special Education Teacher at Aikahi Elementary in a 5th-6th Grade Resource Room. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary and Special Education and is currently working toward her masters in Educational Technology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.