Wacky for Webquests

      Bernie Dodge created a magnificent interactive tool when he devised the Webquest.  This type of technology is utilized in many classrooms in promoting a hands-on approach in teaching and exploring topics.  Dodge stresses in his article, “Five Rules for Writing a Great WebQuest” that the five guiding principles can be represented by the word FOCUS. 

F = Find great sites.

O = Orchestrate your learners and resources. 

C = Challenge your learners to think.

U = Use the medium.

S = Scaffold high expectations. 

Teachers need to be sure when designing a WebQuest that they find good information on existing websites, organize the students and the informational websites, create challenging activities, use the medium, and scaffold high expectations for your students.  This type of activity promotes higher order thinking skills and helps meet the needs of 21^st century learners. 

          Possible webquests could be created in any classes from Music to Language Arts  to Physical Education.  In English Language Arts, webquests could be created on parts of speech.  In Social Studies, the Holocaust may be a great topic for a webquest.   In Physical Education, students could be presented with a webquest on football fundamentals.  They variety of topics is so immense.      

In a webquest, students are presented with a task in which they must complete activities using websites and construct a product representing their learning and exploration.  Some teachers may be hesitant about utilizing webquests in the classroom because of the loss of control of the instruction.  Teachers become facilitators of instruction instead of deliverers of instruction.  Webquests promote student responsibility for learning.