Webquests in LOTE
What is a webquest?
"…an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet..."
– Bernie Dodge, Creator of WebQuests
Why use a webquest?
- Student motivation and authenticity
- Developing thinking skills
- Cooperative Learning
Students use real resources in a real context. They are accessing sites with information from experts in a field, participants in an activity or the actual source of the information.
They come to realise that their team members are counting on them to fulfill their role and develop their area of expertise for the benefit of the group
They can share what they discover with the wider community. This could be emailing people related to the task, publishing material in a newspaper, or publishing to a website
Students take the information that they discover from the webquest process and transform it into something else. It is no longer a case of regurgitating the facts.
The research is broken down in such a way that students are able to take a more mature approach to their thinking
Allows students to understand far more complex topics, with the access to a breadth of resources on the Internet.
Allows the students to take a "divide and conquer" approach to the research, when learning a new and complex topic
Helps to enforce the reality that "not everyone knows everything".
Helps students to understand the importance of "real" teamwork. All students must contribute to the webquest in order for the group to be successful. In many traditional group tasks, a few students often do all the work while others tag along for the ride.
What does a webquest look like?
Webquests follow a particular structure, with certain elements required to help to build the task. To understand how a webquest is constructed and to get some understanding about the early rationale related to webquests, visit the following link.
Bernie Dodges Webquest Site-About Webquests
Webquest resources to get you started
The best general information sites
Bernie Dodges Webquest Site
The site of one of the original creators of Webquests.
Tom Marchs Webquest Site
The site of the other creator of Webquests.
Sites to help you find webquests
www.bestwebquests.com
A list of webquests based on content and age group.
www.webquestdirect.com.au
This is an Australian WebQuest resource with a searchable database of evaluated webquests from around the world. Access to the database requires a subscription of $$$, but access to other resources if free.
www.google.com.au
Using a search engine, such as Google and doing a search based on your requirements. Eg. Year 8 German Webquest.
Webquests on webquests
(to help you understand them better!)
Bernie Dodges Webquest on webquests
A fantasic first exposure to the world of webquests and well worth doing.
Tom Marchs Webquest on webquests
Another similar approach for teachers.
LOTE CoE Webquests and resources for you to use.
A webquest template for you to use
This is a zip file, with a fully working site created for your use. To download right click on the link and select "save target as". When you unzip the file, open it in a web editor and add your information.
Online PD on webquests
This is a self paced PD program on understanding and developing Webquests.
Indonesian Webquests
A webquest designed for use at Year 8 to investigate the cultural aspects of Bali
A webquest designed for Unit 4 Indonesian students to assist with the detailed study.
German Webquests
A webquest designed for VCE German for use in the detailed study