Webquests

A WebQuest activity presents students with access to a plethora of resources that have been pre-screened by the WebQuest's creator. The way the activity is designed discourages students from simply surfing the Web in an open-ended, unstructured manner. The design is presented in six parts called building blocks. The introduction, tasks, process, resources, evaluation, and conclusion are the building blocks that comprise this tightly formatted Internet lesson. Within this format, there is little chance that students will fall prey to distractions or exposure to inappropriate Web sites (Meridian, 2002).


WebQuests were designed with the purpose of instilling in students the capacity to navigate the Internet with a clear task in mind, retrieve data from multiple resources, and increase critical thinking skills (Dodge, 1998). Dodge's primary goal in designing WebQuests was to make the most efficient use of instructional time. Additional beneficial attributes of WebQuests include providing students with the opportunity to engage in cooperative learning, encouraging the development of intrinsic motivation for learning, and promoting a constructivist learning environment (Meridian, 2002).

The WebQuest is valued as a highly constructivist teaching method, meaning that students are "turned loose" to find, synthesize, and analyze information in a hands-on fashion, actively constructing their own understanding of the material (Dodge). It is the non-linear nature of webquests that can inspire critical thinking skills in students.

-> After completing one of the sample webquests below, discuss the essential elements of a good webquest.





Travel Canada Webquest

Have you ever thought about taking a trip across Canada? Well, here is your chance! You and a group of classmates will be part of a team that collects information for making maps in order to prepare a magazine article for the Canadian Geographic. You will also prepare a tourist guide for a province or territory that your team finds particularly interesting.


Medieval Times Reality Adventure

Your first task is to research the Feudal System. You must learn all you can about life on a manor and in Medieval towns. You must also research and record information about art, music, literature, and architecture of Medieval Times. The life of a serf was extremely harsh. As a serf, you must work diligently and take precaution to not anger the lady of the manor! To advance to the position of nun or monk, you must take notes and record your findings in a Word table which will be provided in the Process section of this WebQuest. The table must be presented to and approved by the lady of the manor (aka Teacher).



The Magic of Merlin: The Making of a Knight

You will be working with a fellow knight-in-training to learn more about medieval life. As part of your preparation for knighthood, you will complete a project that helps future knights-in-training. You will also demonstrate your knowledge of medieval life by designing and building a castle with a group of knights. This is your opportunity to persuade King Arthur (your teacher) that you have successfully completed all duties and are worthy of knighthood.



Ancient Egypt Webquest

Your mission is of the utmost importance! You must locate the burial mask of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, Tutankhamen (King Tut.) On the inside of the mask is written a message. If you successfully decode this message you could solve our earth's environmental crisis. Your quest is to decode the Ancient Egyptian message and return to our time. To be successful, you must utilize all your available resources (books, experts, and your computer.) Your quest will be completed when each mission is finished successfully



Ontario History Quest Digital Collection - Views from the Colony: A Look at Life in Upper Canada 1820s-1850s

There were dramatic changes in Upper Canada after the War of 1812, resulting from the Great Migration of immigrants to the province. You and your classmates will act as historians and use primary sources to learn more about living in these times. Diaries, drawings, maps, newspapers, and business and government records are some of the eyewitness reports that you will examine as your main sources for information and analysis.
You will begin your quest by completing several introductory activities, including visits to a number of primary source stations. Then you will be assigned a role in a class WebQuest, where you will use primary sources to research your role and make reports.


War of 1812 Webquest

The War of 1812 is a major event in the joint history of Canada and the United States. During and following the American Revolution, many Loyalists who had remained loyal to Britain felt uncomfortable living in the new United States of America. They moved north to Upper Canada which was still controlled by Britain. Unfortunately Britain and the United States of America were still at odds with one another. Residents of Upper and Lower Canada feared for the safety of their own colony. Would the the United States try to take over their land in their drive to expand their colonies and to retaliate against Britain?


Ontario History Quest Digital Collection - Canada in the Post-War Era: From the Baby Boom to the Trudeau Era 1945-1970s

The first television station went on the air in Canada in 1952. At about the same time, Canadians saw their first shopping mall and their first subway. Life in Canada was changing dramatically. It was almost as if people wanted to make up for the World War II years.

You and your classmates will act as historians and use primary sources to learn more about living in these times. Diaries, drawings, maps, newspapers, and business and government records are some of the eyewitness reports that you will examine as your main source for information and analysis.

You will begin your quest by completing a series of introductory activities, concluding by visiting primary source stations. You then will be assigned a role in a class WebQuest, where you will use primary sources to research your assignment and make reports.