Q: What is a WebQuest?

A: A WebQuest is "an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web," according to Bernie Dodge of San Diego State University. "WebQuests are designed to use learners' time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation."

If you are interested, WebQuest training materials are available online. Lesson templates are offered for teachers' use.

The Blue Web'n website noted in last week's Question of the Week provides good examples of how to design WebQuests. You can search by grade/age level, content table, and subject area. I appreciate how many of the learning strategies that have been found to help students learn are integrated into the lesson plans, such as clustering on a question, group work with specific tasks, a decision-making process, and evaluation guidelines.

Please send your questions and/or answers for either teachers or students to Gerry Lewin for possible posting.