INNOVATIVE TEACHING presented by Walter McKenzie November 27, 1999

INNOVATIVE TEACHING

presented by Walter McKenzie November 27, 1999

No other current instructional innovation has taken hold as the Webquest has. Devised by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in 1995, the Webquest is a computer-based problem-solving task which requires groups of students to work together to analyze resources and collaboratively complete a designated task. Highly structured, the Webquest helps ensure that students stay on task and on the straight and narrow path while online.

I have broken down today’s edition into three components. The first section offers lots of background and tutorials to help you understand and create your own Webquests. The second section offers online collections of Webquests so that you may make use of the work of other teachers willing to share. The third section is a cache of individual Quests listed alphabetically by topic for your consideration. While I included only Webquests which fit Dodge’s format, notice the differences in how teachers approach their own creations. One of the true assets of this approach to online learning is how flexible it is in meeting the needs of teachers everywhere. Enjoy!

Teacher Support Sites

Analyzing the Webquest Process –

http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/tpfs98/process-analysis.html

Do yourself a favor and go visit some of the other introductory links, become acquainted with the Webquest format, and then come back to this one to do some in-depth analysis – great activity

Building Blocks - http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/bdodge/webquest/buildingblocks.html

Step by step tutorial which takes you through each component of a Webquest so that you can build your own; easy to follow lay-out, visually pleasing

Elementary School Webquest Evaluation - http://www.buffalostate.edu/~beaverjf/WebQuests/web-ES.html

Another super activity for those who are already acclimated to Webquests; compare and contrast six Webquests to more deeply appreciate the format and its potential

Filamentality - http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/guide_teachers.html

The quintessential website for creating digital lesson formats: hotlists, treasure hunts, scrapbooks, samplers and Webquests – each a highly structured teacher tool which ensures your success as you develop your own effective activities

How to Design Your Own Webquest –

http://www.memphis-schools.k12.tn.us/admin/tlapages/wq-write.htm

Bill Biles developed this online module for the Memphis, Tennessee Public Schools to help his teachers successfully construct their own Webquests; familiar links built in as hypertext to help in the process

Introduction to Project-Based Learning -

http://www.jacksonesd.k12.or.us/cet/icts/staffdev/WorkshopPages/pbl/project-based_learning_home.htm

Marty Karlin of the Jackson, Oregon education service district has come up with this awesome set of six online training sessions to help you internalize the Webquest concept and successfully implement it in your own instruction

PowerPoint Presentation - http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/webquest/wqsl1.html

Kathy Schrock devised this overview of Webquests based on Dodge’s work; great for use when introducing them to your staff or colleagues in general

Rubric #1 - http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquestrubric.html

Dodge’s suggested criteria and scale for assessing a Webquest – vital stuff here because you want a way to document your children’s progress as they work within this progressive structure – even Webquests can provide accountability for teachers under the gun!

Rubric #2 - http://www.west.asu.edu/achristie/WQRubrics.html

Dr. Alice Christie at Arizona State University offers these six examples of Webquest rubrics – hey…..you’ve got options!

Some Thoughts About Webquests - http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/EdTec596/About_WebQuests.html

Here Dodge explains the nuts and bolts of a Webquest; written in 1997, this page also touts a couple of prime examples of powerful Webquests to illustrate his point

Template #1 - http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/LessonTemplate.html OK gang, they couldn’t make it much easier for you than this - select which html format you wish to work with: no frames, frames with text links, or frames with graphic text rollovers – just fill in the blanks!

Template #2 - http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/wq/wqdmain.htm

So you don’t want all the choices Template #1 offers? Here’s one from the Clinton, Michigan Public Schools you just cut and paste into your word processor and then follow the directions – piece of cake!

A Webquest about Webquests - http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquestwebquest.html

Dodge has created two webquests here: one for elementary and the other for secondary teachers; the idea is to learn the format by participating in an actual Webquest

The Webquest Page - http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/webquest.html Webquest Central from San Diego State University, where creator Bernie Dodge continues to refine the Webquest concept; lots of great examples and training materials too