- WebQuests are activities, using Internet resources,
which encourage students to use higher order thinking skills to
solve a real messy problem. WebQuests are a sub-set of Problem-Based
Learning (PBL).
- Teachers around the world are making WebQuests for their own
classes as well as to share.
- Students of all ages and grades can use
WebQuests.
- Most, if not all, of the information used in WebQuests is drawn
from the Internet.
- Students are provided with online resources and are asked to use
this information constructively to solve the presented problemrather
than just cutting and pasting material into an assignment or
project.
- By eliminating the need to search or hunt for information the
student is given more time to analyse, criticise and assess the
information they find.
WebQuests
are only one tool in a teacher's toolbox. They are not Appropriate to every
learning goal. In particular, They Are weak in teaching factual recall, simple
Routines, and definitions.
Also
WebQuests Usually requires good reading skills, so are not Appropriate to the
youngest Classrooms or to Students with language and reading Difficulties and
without special design effort (for example, Bringing in adults to read the
screens out loud.)
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES:
Advantages of Web Quest
Students:
o Similar structure across Web Quests - Ease of use.
o Encourages readers to interact with information-based Internet
resources.
o Motivating (stimulates learner’s imagination)
o Students can create their own Web Quests (An engage with
classmates' quest.)
o Web Quests can be worked on at home/library
Teachers:
o Similar structure in all Web Quests – Easy to create.
o Emphasis on teaching skills required to read
Web Quests
o Encourages effective & structured use of Internet time (inquiry based
lessons/units are designed so as to guide students meaningfully)
o Accommodates learners' diverse learning needs (individual and
group work)
Disadvantages:
Students:
o Most Web Quests are not designed to meet your specific
state/provincial educational curriculum
o Access (slow web connectivity and inadequate number of computers)
o Resource links readability often too high
o Creating own Web Quest requires time upgrading technical skills and
information literacy skills
o Inflexible structure
Teachers:
o Similar structure in all Web Quests – Easy to create.
o Emphasis on teaching skills required to read Web Quests
o Encourages effective & structured use of Internet time (inquiry based
lessons/units are designed so as to guide students through
educational/ meaningful learning experiences)
o Accommodates learners' diverse learning needs (individual and group
work)
Example of webquest:
