WebQuest Evaluation and Use
Why reinvent the wheel? Start by exploring the WebQuests that others have created. You may find a WebQuest that fits your needs.
Complete the following sections of this page to learn more about the evaluation and use of WebQuests: Examine WebQuest Elements, Evaluate WebQuests, and Use WebQuests.
Examine WebQuest Elements
WebQuests all share the same basic elements. These include an introduction, task, information resources, processes, learning advice, and evaluation.
Read Building Blocks of a WebQuest. This web project provides an overview of each element of a WebQuest including introduction, task, process, evaluation, conclusion, and teacher page.
Examine the following WebQuest examples:
- Radio Days
- In Another Man's Shoes: Huckleberry Finn. Also, read the teacher's materials.
- The Last Spin by Ed McBain
- Plan the Perfect Community. Notice that it's a Word document.
- Walk Two Moons. Notice that it's a Word document.
Explore Too Hot To Handle. Also try So, You're Gifted. Is this a good example of a WebQuest? Why or why not? What are the elements of a good WebQuest?
Locate the elements of a WebQuest using a couple of the links below at your grade level.
How are the layouts alike and different. Do they all have the same elements? How are they alike and different? Which do you think are most important?
Primary Grades (PreK-3)
- An Insect's Perspective for Grade 2
- Arthur's Tooth for Grade 1
- Chrysanthemum: What's in a Name for Grade K-2
- Find Frog and Toad for Grade 2
- Frog Finds His Family for Kindergarten
- Miss Spider's Tea Party for Kindergarten
- Just Winging It for K-2
- Meeting in the Mitten for Kindergarten
- Snakes Alive for Grade 1
- Stellaluna for Grade 2-3
Intermediate Grades (3-6)
- A Forest Forever for Grade 5
- Fairy Tale Court/The True Story of the Three Little Pigs for Grade 3
- Paper or Plastics: WebQuest on Recycling for Grade 3
- The Ocean is in Trouble! for Science 4-6
- A Tale to be Told for Grade 5
- Westward Ho for Grades 3-5
Middle School (6-9)
- And Now a Word from Our Sponsor: WebQuest on Propaganda for Grade 8
- Edgar Allan Poe: Father of Horror
- Masks for Professor Who for 6-8
- Radio Days for Middle School
- Who Should Own the Bones?
High School (9-12)
- Amistad Case: A Mock Trial for High School History
- Baby Care Demonstrations for High School
- Basque Country WebQuest for High School French/Spanish
- Bones and the Badge High School Library and Science
- Witchcraft or Witchhunt for Grade 11 Language Arts and Social Studies
College and University Level
Evaluate WebQuests
Now that you're familiar with the elements of a WebQuest, it's time to begin judging the quality of a WebQuest. Just because a WebQuest contains the essential elements, doesn't mean that it's perfect for your classroom. Look beyond the structure and examine the effectiveness, efficiency, and appeal of the project. Ask yourself:
- Is it a quality project?
- Does it fit my needs?
- Is it a good use of time?
- Is it a good use of technology?
Use one of the WebQuest Rubrics listed to guide your evaluations.
WebQuest Rubrics
A Rubric for Evaluating WebQuests by Bernie Dodge 
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestrubric.html
Assessing WebQuests by Tom March
http://bestwebquests.com/bwq/matrix.asp
Rubric Scoring Guide for WebQuests from eMINTS
http://www.emints.org/webquest/rubric.shtml
WebQuest Evaluation Form from Spartanburg
http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/webquestrubric.htm
Explore WebQuests using the resources below. Look for the basic WebQuest elements. Notice how some developers have created high level thinking assignments, while others have simply created a "treasure hunt". How does a WebQuest differ from other activities?
Locating WebQuests to Evaluate
There are thousands of WebQuests online. If you're interested in locating a WebQuest on a particular topic, use your favorite search engine such as Google or Yahoo. Use quotation marks to narrow the search such as "earthquake webquest" or "gold rush" + "webquest". You might also try different orders such as "tornado webquest" or "webquest tornado". Also consider search for a general topic of grade level such as "Kindergarten webquest" or "seventh grade science webquest".
Matrix of Examples: Top by Bernie Dodge
http://webquest.org/search/index.php
Do a search or use Bernie Dodge's matrix of the top sites.
Best WebQuests by Tom March
http://www.bestwebquests.com/
All links are evaluated.
WebQuests by eMINTS teachers
http://www.emints.org/webquest/
Click on one of the following grade levels for a set of WebQuest examples and resources by grade level:
- Kindergarten through Third Grade (literature-based Grades K-2)
- Third Grade through Sixth Grade (literature-based Grades 3-6)
- Middle, High School and Higher Ed (literature-based Middle School and High School
Use the following Teacher Tap: WebQuests links for more resources:
Use WebQuests
WebQuest evaluation and selection is only half the battle. Now, it's time to consider how this WebQuest fits into your curriculum, schedule, and classroom environment. Consider the following questions:
- What specific standards does this WebQuest address? Where in your instructional unit does the WebQuest fit? What resources (i.e., hardware, software, resources, materials, facilities) will be needed to implement this WebQuest?
- How would you introduce the project? Would you do a overview, provide background information, or distribute guides?
- How would you manage the time spent on the project? Would you print some aspects of the project? What about accessing the web pages?
- Would you use computers in your classroom or a lab? How would you schedule this? What other technologies would be needed such as Word, PowerPoint, or Internet?
- Would you organize your class into teams? If so, what's the group goal or mission? What roles will take place within the groups? How will information be shared among groups such as jigsaws or presentations? How would group members be assessed?
- Will your class have a project headquarters? If so, will it include notebooks, clipboards, or bulletin boards? Will the software Inspiration be used for planning?
- How will the process and products be assessed? How will individuals and groups be assessed?
Select a WebQuest you might use in a classroom setting. Consider the logistics of real-world use. Answer the questions above. Then, create a list of things that you need to consider when integrating WebQuests into your particular situation.
Return to Teacher Tap: WebQuests
Return to Internet Expeditions: Creating WebQuest Learning Environments