WIT 2003

Teaching Guide

Aim:

To introduce participants to the WebQuest as a specific form of guided online learning activity. To provide participants the opportunity to evaluate how they might integrate WebQuests into their curriculum.

Rationale:

Education is no longer about memorizing and regurgitating facts. Learners in the 21st Century need to be creative problem-solvers and decision-makers. Our focus as educators is on creating opportunities for learners to make answers, not to simply find them. To encourage our students to think strategically and take responsibility for their learning, we need to throw away the "lecture and test" format and engage learners in a way that encourages high level thinking skills. When implemented correctly, WebQuests give students responsibility for their own learning, focus their use of valuable Internet research time, and provide an opportunity to answer real questions or solve real problems.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this workshop, learners will be able to:

1. Recognize the WebQuest process as a unique form of structured online activity
2. Locate existing WebQuests
3. Determine whether existing WebQuests are appropriate for their curricular goals
4. Critique existing WebQuests based on the Dodge model
5. Revise or modify existing WebQuests for their own use

Audience:

This module was created for teachers who are comfortable with basic computer applications, including using the Internet, but who have not yet used the Web extensively with students. It may also be beneficial to teachers with more advanced skills as they begin to develop their own online activities.

Prerequisites:

To successfully complete this module, participants must be able to:

• Launch and use a browser to move between web pages
• Access course materials by using URLs in the browser's address bar
• Work cooperatively with colleagues and mentors
• Articulate curriculum goals and objectives for their grade level or subject

Description of Subject Matter:

This module is designed to be used with cooperative groups. It also may be used as a self-guided activity by individuals. It has been created for educators who want to achieve their curricular goals by developing their students' problem-solving capabilities.

Instructional Plan:

This module is designed to be used by a mentor guiding cooperative groups of participants. The length of time necessary to complete the module depends upon how much optional reading (clicking through the links) participants choose to do. The web site evaluation component was designed to take no more than 50-60 minutes, including time for each participant to evaluate sites and meet with the group. This module can be completed in approximately 2 hours.

Participants also should be able to click through the web pages to use the site at their own pace. This module contains links to other sites with additional relevant information.

Materials:

Participants are required to have access to a computer with Internet capabilities. They also will need to access the URL of the module, which is located at http://webinstituteforteachers.org/2003/modules/index.shtm

Plans for evaluation and assessment:

Links to rubrics and handouts have been provided within this module. They should be printed prior to beginning the tasks to help participants keep on task with their learning objectives.

Please address any questions or comments about this module to Pamela Levitt at pslev8@yahoo.com.