Teaching Guide

Teaching Guide

Note:  Some of the handouts are provided in Portable Document Format (PDF). If you cannot view PDF files, then you need to download the free Acrobat Reader plug-in. 
 
 

Aim:

To provide participants with the opportunity to evaluate existing WebQuests and learn how they can use WebQuests to reach their students, as well as learn a method of integrating technology into the curriculum.

Rationale:

Teachers today have many responsibilities beyond just teaching.  They have curriculum to develop, lesson plans to keep, attendance records, student anecdotes and more.  One of the responsibilities that is currently in place is the integration of technology into the curriculum.  With all of the above, not to mention actually educating students, teacher's time is very limited.  By knowing how to access and evaluate existing WebQuests teachers can begin to mesh together technology and curricular goals.  They can learn how to find and understand WebQuests that are appropriate to their content area, and eventually become comfortable enough with WebQuests that they may wish to create their own.  This module provides them with existing sites and a chance to evaluate each site.  It also lists additional resources for WebQuests.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this workshop you should be able to:
  1. Tell what a WebQuest is, and what it is not
  2. Name the six components in a WebQuest
  3. Quickly assess a WebQuest to see if it will work for your students
  4. Recognize WebQuests appropriate to your grade level
  5. Find additional resources and additional WebQuests
  6. Explain the task section of a WebQuest
  7. E-mail the Instructor (Nicole Zumpano) at NZUMP@aol.com with any comments or questions!

Audience:

While this workshop is available to everyone, it will be most beneficial to someone who works with students. It has been assembled for the basic section of WIT, but may also be viewed independently by advanced members of WIT.  Due to the nature of the subject, the viewer should also be someone who can navigate the Internet.

Pre-requisites:

Participants who wish to successfully complete this workshop should be able to do the following activities before beginning:
  • Launch Netscape Navigator or any other Web Browser
  • Access the workshop notes by placing an address in the URL location field
  • Follow the instructions and notes for the workshop
  • Feel comfortable enough to ask questions or for clarifications from the Instructor
  • Work with colleagues that share the same grade level

Description of subject matter:

This module is designed to be used with cooperative groups.  However, the subject matter is such that it can be used by an individual to gain more knowledge of existing WebQuests as well.  It is designed mainly for educators who have the task of educating students with new methods that may be technology based.

Instructional plan:

This module is designed to be used with cooperative groups and with a mentor guiding participants.  However, the participant should be able to click on the workshop page and follow through the site at their own leisure. When working in cooperative groups and a mentor, this module will take about 80 minutes to complete.

Throughout this site there are links to other sites with relevant information.  If there are questions about the site or the workshop content, please feel free to ask the instructor, or contact the author of the module.

Materials required:

For this workshop participants will be required to have access to a computer.  Since participants may leave this site and access other sites, it is recommended that they have at least a 28.8 modem so they will not be waiting for many sites to download.  They will also need to access the URL of the workshop which is located at http://webinstituteforteachers.org/2001/modules/webquests2/index.html.  Handouts for this module are included as links within the website, but may be found as PDF files by clicking here.

Plans for evaluation and assessment:

Since this module is designed according to grade levels and is meant to be in a mentor-led group session, there are no specific plans for formal assessment.  Participants can check their learning objectives to see what progress they have made.  Any questions or clarifications about this module can be directed to the mentor or the author of this site, Nicole Zumpano.

Return to the WebQuest Home Page

Last modified May 17, 2001 by NMZ
 
 
 

The contents of the Web Institute Web Site, including the On-Line Curriculum, Web Tank, and Session Notes, are Copyright 1999-2001, Graham School of General Studies, University of Chicago. No one may print, copy, or otherwise reproduce these materials without the express written permission of the Director of the Web Institute for Teachers or the Dean of the Graham School. All rights reserved.