August 3, 2011

A WebQuest is assignment which asks students to use the Internet to learn about and/or synthesize their knowledge a specific topic. There are five basic components of an average WebQuest which include:
Introduction: set the stage for the activity.
Task: state what the students will be required to do
Process: give a clear step-by-step instruction
Evaluation: display a rubric to measure the product as objectively as possible and leave little room for question.
Conclusion: summarize the experience and WebQuest as a whole.

After learning about WebQuests and how they work in the classroom, I believe that they can be very beneficial especially in such a fast paste world that we live in today. WebQuests are perfect for a teacher who is struggling to find time for extra activities when trying to fit everything into the curriculum. For example, a teacher who wants to expand more on photosynthesis because they feel their class has not fully reached an understanding, but can not find the time, can tell their students to create a WebQuest about the photosynthesis process. WebQuests can also be beneficial to Special Education teachers because it gives them more than one way to teach and see what special needs students know or need more guidance on.

I also feel they are an effective tool in education because it makes a lesson or activity more meaningful and engaging. After looking at quite a few WebQuest examples I have found them to be very beneficial because it lets the students get creative on what they have learned.

To sum up what I have learned about WebQuests is: it provides teachers the opportunity to not only make the classroom more engaging but they can also see what the students know about a certain topic and what they need more guidance on.