Components of a WebQuest

All material presented is based on the work of Bernie Dodge (1995)

Components of a WebQuest

• Introduction

• Task

• Process

• Resources

• Evaluation

• Conclusion

The Introduction

•Orients the learner as to what is coming

•Raises some interest in the learner through a variety of means

    –Relate to the learner's past experience

    –Relate to the learner's future goals

    –Is Attractive, visually interesting

    –Is Important because of its global implications

    –Is urgent, because of the need for a timely solution

    –Is fun, because the learner will be playing a role or making something

The Task

•Is a description of what the learner will have done at the end of the exercise

•It could be a product, like a HyperStudio stack or PowerPoint presentation, or it might be a verbal act, such as being able to explain a specific topic

The Process

•Is where the teacher suggests the steps that learners should go through in completing the task

•It may include strategies for dividing the task into subtasks, descriptions of roles to be played or perspectives to be taken by each learner

•The instructor can also use this place to provide learning advice and interpersonal process advice, such as how to conduct a brainstorming session

•The Process description should be relatively short and clear

The Resources

•Is a list of web pages which the instructor has located that will help the learner accomplish the task

•Pre-selected so that learners can focus their attention on the topic rather than surfing aimlessly

The Evaluation

•Assessment tool

•Usually in the form of a rubric

•Informs student of expectations and how these will be measured

The Conclusion

•Provides an opportunity

    –To summarize the experience

    –To encourage reflection about the process

    –To extend and generalize what was learned

•Provides that reader with a sense of closure