WebQuests

WEBQUESTS:  

Web quests are awesome tools for learning in and out of the reading classroom. A Web quest is an inquiry type online tool for learning. It is a classroom based lesson in which students are directed to obtain some information to explore and evaluate from the World Wide Web. A Web quest can be as short as a single class period or a week or month long unit of study. Group work is often involved and students are assigned specific roles to complete during the process. Resources are presented by the instructor. Students spend the bulk of their time using the information not looking directly for the information. Web quests are a great way to motivate students as they take much of the responsibility for the learning. Web quests are  highly interactive and student centered tools for increasing learning and motivation in the reading classroom. 
Below is an example of a lesson plan completed in my graduate class;
      

MEDA5400 WebQuest Lesson Plan

Name: Teresa P. Cunningham	Date: October 27, 2013
Web Quest Title: What’s the Author’s Purpose?	Grade/Level:  3
Curriculum Standards
http://www.state.tn.us/education/curriculum.shtml Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
Big Idea/Focus Question/Goal
What idea(s), question(s) and/or goals drive your instruction? What is Author’s Purpose? Why is it important to know why writers write? How can this relate to real world experience?
TN State Computer Technology Learning Accomplishments
http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/computer/index.shtml 3.3.1. Students will use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity. 3.5.1. Students will use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. 3.6.2. Students will employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world.
ISTE NETS-S Performance Indicators
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm NETS-S Performance Indicators:  1. Creativity and Innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:  a. applies existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.  c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues. 2. Communication and Collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:  a. interacts, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing   a variety of digital environments and media. 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making: Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students: b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
ISTE NETS-T Performance Indicators
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm NETS-T Performance Indicators:  1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity: Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:     b. engages students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
Adaptations to Meet Individual Needs
The lesson is set up to engage all students. Students are assigned a partner to assist and work cooperatively on each assignments and the final activity .This makes the learning available to all student achievement levels.

I have used this lesson plan with all my third graders in my reading class at school. This is a great way to allow students to take responsibility for their learning while working in groups to create an authentic project.

  

The following is the power point I used for the web quest lesson :)