Quest for the Facts about WebQuests

Quest for the Facts about WebQuests
An Internet Hotlist on Webquests

created by Paula Goldstein
Nassau BOCES

Introduction
As an educator, you must keep many plates spinning at the same time. You know the Web has unlimited resources, but how can you harness them to support state and federal standards, your curriculum and the teaching of higher order thinking skills that will provide your students with the foundation to develop into responsible adults? WebQuests can be the answer.

Motivate and engage your students in action based research using the power of the Internet. WebQuests give your students a chance to collaborate with their peers in order to solve real life problems and provide a chance for authentic assessment. The links below will introduce you to the concept behind WebQuests, provide samples and rubrics and give you tips for their succesful use in the classroom. You will be able to create your own Webquests, using templates available on the web.

The Internet Resources

Learn about WebQuests?

A WebQuest about WebQuests - The Middle School/High School Humanities version by Bernie Dodge.
A WebQuest about Webquests - Elementary version by Bernie Dodge
Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators - WebQuests - Information and samples of WebQuests.
The 7 Red Flags - A series of questions, by Tom March, to determine if any web-based activity can be considered a 'great' webquest.
The WebQuest Page - Bernie Dodge's site with training materials, samples, information and news.
Using a WebQuest in your Classroom - Information about creating and assessing webquests, as well as lists leading to sample webquests.
WebQuest 101 - An online WebQuest Tutorial
WebQuests in the Middle School Curriculum: Promoting Technological Literacy in the Classroom - Article by Kenneth Lee Watson, about promoting technological literacy in the classroom.

WebQuest Samples

Cinco De Mayo - A grade 2-3 WebQuest about the history of Cinco de Mayo.
Excellent Explorers - A webquest for 3rd grade - history and social sciences.
The Copyright WebQuest - From the eyes of the Librarian, Author, Administrator and Technophile.
Using A WebQuest in your Classroom - Information about creating and assessing webquests, as well as lists leading to sample webquests.
Web-Based Projects - WebQuests listed by subject.
WebQuest - Connecting Students to the World - Search for webquests by subject or grade.
WebQuest Search Page - Search for webquests by topic and grade.
Webquest Collections - Many webquest collections as well as information about webquests.

WebQuest Templates

Filamentality - Use a Filamentality template to create your own Webquest.
InstantWebQuest - A web based software for creating and hosting webquests for free.
The WebQuest Design Process - A concept map illustrating the design process, with links for in depth exploration.
WebQuest Design Patterns - All WebQuests are not the same. These patterns include samples and templates for you and your students.
WebQuest Template - Template for creating your own WebQuest.
teAchnology Web Quest Generator - A simple guideline for creating a webquest.

Webquest Rubrics and Checklists

Project Based Learning Checklists - Create your own checklists for writing, science, oral presentations and multimedia tasks, by grade level.
Rubistar - Create your own rubric and save it online.
Teach-nology WebQuest Rubric - Create your own WebQuest rubric.
WebQuest Evaluation Form - A rubric for evaluation webquests.
WebQuest Rubric - The update of Bernie Dodge's original rubric.
Why Rubrics - Why and how to use rubrics for assessment.

Essential Questions

Applying Bloom's Taxonomy - Sample questions and activities that support Bloom's Taxonomy.
Creating Essential Questions - Describes the components of an essential question.
Detailed Explanation of an 'Essential Question' - The essential question can be the heart of your WebQuest. This site describes their essence.
Essential Questions Hotlist - Links to articles that discuss the essence of essential questions and how to create them.

Content by Paula Goldstein, pgoldste@mail.nasboces.org
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listwebquestpa.html
Last revised Mon Dec 3 18:16:17 US/Pacific 2007