EDIT 2000

Once you have an idea for your WebQuest, it’s time to get started writing it. We’ll start with the Introduction and Task Sections. If you’re stuck and can’t think of an idea, check out WebQuest Design Patterns.

Planning Your WebQuest

The following tasks can be done either in a Google Doc and later transferred to a "new" Google Site or built directly into your "new" Google Site.

Writing your introduction:

1. Building Blocks of a WebQuest provides a nice overview about writing introductions
2. Remember, make it engaging and talk directly to the student

Writing your task:

1. Building Blocks of a WebQuest also provides insight into writing tasks
2. Remember, the task should be short: 2-3 sentences; don’t give instructions on how to complete the task – just describe it

Writing Process

One of the main parts of a WebQuest is the Process section. The Process section is composed of the specific steps a student should take to accomplish the assigned task. The Process section also provides age-appropriate resources for students to use to complete their task. Finding useful resources requires more than just a Google search. Using vetted resources from reliable sites is important. Find some useful web resources for your students to use from Thinkfinity or any of the other tools/sites we've explored this semester.

Here are some things to remember about the Process section:

1. This should be a step-by-step description of what students will do
2. Students should be assigned roles (journalist, editor, astronaut, politician, etc.) and given specific information on their “job descriptions”
3. Students should be able to access links to at least 5 age appropriate resources that will help them to complete their task. This should not be a list of 5 long web addresses. It should be a title that links to the website and a short description of what students will find there.
   • For example: Currency Converter: As you plan your trip you will need to determine how much money you need to take. Use this currency converter link to determine how many pesos you will need.
4. Students will likely need some type of printable form to help them organize the information they are finding online – particularly if they are elementary or middle school students

Here are the essential questions to ask while you are working on your project:

1. Does your WebQuest help your students’ critical and deep thinking instead of mere comprehension?
2. Does your WebQuest help your students improve their research skills and problem solving skills?
3. Is your WebQuest topic authentic in order to engage your students?
4. Is your WebQuest task challenging and doable?
5. Do your learners need to think independently and critically during the WebQuest activity?
6. Do your tasks involve collaboration/cooperation/peer interaction among students? Is collaboration between your students important for the successful completion of the WebQuest?
7. What scaffolds (visual organizers, software tools, prompting questions and suggestions) are provided in your WebQuest?
8. Is your process clear enough that your students would know exactly where they are at each step of the process and what to do next?
9. Do your Evaluation criteria align with the given tasks?

Evaluation

When crafting your Evaluation section:

1. Don’t evaluate what is not assigned. Don’t assign tasks that are not evaluated.
2. Your evaluation rubric should have 4 or 5 different criteria that you are evaluating.
3. Make sure your rubric is written so a parent could understand it. In other words, will a parent know why his/her child made an “F” on the project? an “A”?

Here are resources that you can use for the Evaluation section:

1. Rubrics for Weblessons
2. Creating A Rubric for a Given Task

You will be using this template for your rubric The only thing that is missing on this template is a row indicating the maximum possible points that can be earned. You will add a new row to this template. Copy and paste the rubric into a word document. When you have completed your rubric, it is to be linked so that it opens as a word document.

For Thursday

1. Work on Introduction, Task, Process, and Rubric sections
2. Thursday is an absence make-up day and WebQuest workday; if you do not plan to attend class, be prepared to submit your TLAT#3 on Tuesday, Apr 26