Webquests

Bernie Dodge of San Diego State University has defined a WebQuest has an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet. If this working definition does not give you a good explanation, please let me continue.
 * What is a WebQuest?**

I found out about WebQuests by accident. One day I was in the computer lab trying to figure out a different way for my students to learn about the life and times of William Shakespeare. I did what most teachers would do…I started to Goggle William Shakespeare. I came upon a site that looked interesting, and before I knew it I found a wonderful new and exciting way for my students to learn about William Shakespeare through a WebQuest.
 * How I Found out About WebQuests**

Implementing the WebQuest into my classroom allowed my students to complete several important goals and objectives through the use of technology. The WebQuest was a lot of work initially for me, but in the end it was well worth the effort. My students completed a survey at the end of the WebQuest, and as a result of the survey I learned that the students loved completing the assignments because they knew exactly what they needed to do; all of the web pages were readily available to them, and they were allowed to work in cooperative learning groups. I enjoyed the WebQuest because it allowed me to work with individual groups and students alike.

My Top Ten Reasons Why Teachers Should WebQuest:
 * Why WebQuest?**
 * 1) Promotes technology literacy in the classroom
 * 2) Enhances cooperative learning among students
 * 3) Develops competency in using the internet/computer
 * 4) Different way to learn
 * 5) Student driven activities
 * 6) Learner uses time optimally within the classroom setting
 * 7) Provides an avenue for different learning styles
 * 8) Students can role play
 * 9) Allows for multi-level grouping
 * 10) Safe use of the internet

=Time to Get Started=

The best way to get started on a WebQuest is to jump right in! The following sites are excellent for teachers to use in the classroom:

Go to http://webquest.org/search/ for over 3000 different WebQuests to choose from Go to http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/WebQuests.HTM to learn how to design your own WebQuest