WebQuest Co-Production
Why build a WebQuest in isolation when you can collaborate with others?
You don't have to do a project on your own. Consider co-producing a project with another teacher, community members, or students!
Join the Online Community
There are many ways to make connections with others online. Use the following resources to locate ways to share your ideas and discuss topics of interest.
WebQuest Community
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/community.html
WebQuest Portal Forums
http://webquest.org/forum/
Develop a Team
Consider non-traditional types of collaboration as you build your WebQuest and also as part of your search for authentic activities for students. Consider some of the following team configurations
Teacher + Teacher. Work with another teacher in your department or at your grade level. Also consider cross curriculum and cross grade level collaborations. Examine your standards and looks for connections that will benefit all students.
Teacher + Local Community Team. Connect with a local business, museum, or the Chamber of Commerce. Develop a WebQuest with a local historical museum or as part of a nature park project. For example, the Nonprofits Prophets project teamed students with areas nonprofit organizations to build websites.
Teacher + Student Team. Ask students to build a WebQuest with you. This might be for a future class or a group at a different grade level.
Student + Student Team. Connect students in different classes or different schools.
Making It Work
Help young people see the "big picture" of the WebQuest. Use a discussion, demonstration, or other springboard to hook the young people. Be sure they have the background information they'll need to be successful. Provide print or electronic guide sheets (schedule, checklist, procedures) and directions to keep young people on track.
Create a project headquarters in your room as well as a virtual presence for the WebQuest. For instance you might set aside a bulletin board, notebook, or display area. This will bring the class together. Consider the technology needs. How will you manage access computers and other technology? Also think about role playing, collaborative teams, or other cooperative learning assignments that will need to be organized. Be sure groups are aware of individual and group goals and roles. Consider opportunities for rotating or jigsaws.
Can you make your project a more rich learning experience? Consider each of the following recommendations.
- Use a template.
- Keep it simple
- Use the power or paper
- Use the power of pictures
- Use the power of interaction
- Meet student needs
- Focus on controversy
- Use motivating, real-world examples
- Transform information
Eight Strategies
Most Important - Keep It Simple!
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/balboa/bearhunt/introduction.htm
1 - The Power of Paper
- Provide print support
- guides word lists
- worksheets organizers
- rubrics web pages
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/lvelem/bears/
2 - The Power of Pictures
- Remember visual
learners
photos clip art
graphics & drawings
book covers & illustrations - Student-made photos/drawings
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/pershing/roll/
3 - The Power of Interaction
- Collaborative projects E-pals
- Join experiments Ask an expert
- Posting project
4 - The Power of Differentiation
- Match roles to ability levels
- Provide a challenge
- Provide choices
- Address competencies
5 - The Power of Learner-Centered
- Not written as lesson plan
- Talk to the students
reading level, motivation, specific directions
…Not teacher focused - Avoid: - Students will read… After reading ...
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/hawthorne/swimmy/
6 - The Power Of Controversy
- Higher Order Thinking
- Multiple Perspectives, Issues, Trends
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/roosevelt/bookburning/
7 - The Power of Transformations
- Debate
- Present
- Videotape
- Build
- Demonstrate
8 - The Power of Meaningfulness
- Real-world
- scenario experiments
- applications sharing
Find the Right Fit - Explore, Adapt, Create
- Keep it simple
- Mix on and off computer
Overwhelmed?
- Keep it simple
- Focus on motivation, meaningfulness, thinking