WebQuests: Tasks of All Sorts
Tasks of all Sorts
Numerous Types of Tasks
  
Lesson Goal: By the end of this lesson you will become familiar with different types of tasks used in WebQuests and have a clearer understanding of their intended approach.

Some tasks include having your students:

Solve a problem
Do group or individual projects
Defend a position
Take on the role of another person

Let's look at an example of Solve a problem - The Quest(ion) /Task :by Tom March

The United States government feels very strongly about the need to understand China. To do this effectively, a special fact-finding team is being assembled that will travel to China to investigate the country, the people, and the culture. Instead of sending only diplomats or politicians, the team will be comprised of people from very different backgrounds so that the facts they find present as much truth about China as possible. It's hoped that instead of bringing back stereotypes and postcards, the team members will come away with an accurate and informed perspective.

Specifically, your Quest(ion) is:

What actions should the U.S. take in its policy towards China?

Your team will develop a Group Report that contains a Three Point Action Plan taking into account the following perspectives: Business, Cultural, Religious, Human Rights, Environmental, and Political

More Tasks

Reminder: If the task requires looking for simple, sure answers to pre-determined questions, then the activity is clearly not a WebQuest even if the answers are found on the Web. These are just worksheets with URLs or Scavenger Hunts. . If the information provided below is not extensive enough, look at the author, Bernie Dodge's- "WebQuest Taskonomy.".

Compilation Tasks

 Transformation of the information compiled. Students take information from a number of sources and put it into a common format. e.g. a time capsule or website
Mystery Tasks Requires synthesis of information from a variety of sources. Students then put information together by making inferences and eliminate false trails e.g. students examine evidence that scientists have already dwelled upon
Journalistic Tasks Students act like reporters covering an event. Fairness is a must as the information must be accurate and not biased. e.g. a field trip to a natural disaster
Design Tasks A product or plan of action that accomplishes a predetermined goal. However, students must work within constraints. e.g. students design a trip which meets the needs of a given group
Creative Product Tasks Constraints are the key but creativity should be invited. e.g. students create a painting based on what they've learned about an artist
Consensus Building Tasks Different viewpoints are articulated, considered and accommodated where possible. Both fact and opinion are acceptable. Current events and recent history are excellent opportunities for this type of task. e.g. consensus on a war and the building of a monument after the war
Persuasion Tasks Students develop a convincing case based on what they'd learned and they try to persuade an audience of a particular point of view. e.g. to influence government policy on a given cause
Analytical Tasks Students are asked to look closely at one or more things and find the similarities and difference while paying attention to their implications. e.g. students address the meaning of the likes and differences between two nations
Judgment Tasks Judgments are developed in which students create their own evaluation process. Either a rubric or set of criteria is provided.
Scientific Tasks Hypotheses are made based on an understanding of background information provided by on and off-line sources. e.g.. students use a webCam to observe and chart events


Now it is your turn. Look at each site provided below. Collaborate with one or two participants in our class and come to a consensus as to what task the author was attempting.

       

Based on a module by Frada Boxer

 
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