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WebQuest Direct
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What is a Great WebQuest?

It needs to follow the format of a WebQuest (Introduction, Task, Process (+ Resources) Evaluation, Conclusion, Teacher’s Guide)
but
more importantly, it has to present the students with a real authentic messy problem to solve; and, has to use collaborative
group processes to solve this problem with students taking on different perspectives or roles.
 

A Great WebQuest needs:  

  • An Engaging Opening - containing a hook!

  • “Background for Everyone”  - information within the Introduction but not necessarily this heading.

  • The Problem or Issue to be solved in the form of an open ended Question within the Task

  • The Use of Roles or Perspectives to engage students Emotional Intelligence and to give authenticity to solving the problem.
    Many roles with have antagonistic views to other perspectives.

  • Uses Higher Order Thinking Skills (analysis, creativity [synthesis], and, evaluation),  within the Process’ tasks to solve the problem - 
    “Transformative Thinking”  is to occur

  • Uses the Internet mainly for resources. These resources which need to challenge the students’ thinking and current bias within
    their perspective and their own thinking to date.

  • Real World Feedback within the Conclusion or at the end of the Process. This means that students are given the
    opportunity to interact with experts in the field.

  • A Conclusion where they are challenged again to investigate the problem at a local more concrete level.
    Eg. If they had been looking at bullying as an issue, they would then investigate their own classroom rules and
    school’s bullying policy.
    For the issue of PM Curtin and the WWII, you might challenge the students to investigate what was happening
    in Georgia and Australia’s response to this situation.

  • Teacher’s Guide which includes details about: Target Students and their age; Curriculum Standards,
    Process including Duration and if possible Lesson Planning; any other prerequisites.

sitting at desk 

CRITERIA CHECKLIST

Section Content Score/100
Introduction Catchy Title

Scenario

Real Problem
/10
Task Point Form summarising the tasks that the students have to achieve

Background for Everyone

Higher Order Thinking Skill Activities present
/10
Process Perspectives or Roles present

Team work

Interesting and complex (messy) Problem to solve

Steps showing students what they have to do – clear, concise, sequential,

Higher Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) Activities present:
o One
o Two
o Three
o More
/35 (of which 30
will be assigned
to HOTS)
Resources Relevant to student age, readability, and, role

Extensive

Quirky – giving students different perspectives
/10
Evaluation Rubric showing all the tasks that the students are to undertake for assessment

Optional: peer assessment
Optional: self assessment
/10
Conclusion Encourages local and/or further action

Real World Feedback

Reflection of Learning

Is NOT a motherhood statement or platitude
/10
Teacher's Guide Learners – Age, State, Country

Curriculum Standards Addressed – listed and linked

Duration – number of lessons (if below 4 lessons, this will be considered a research assignment only – as not enough time has been given to Higher Order Thinking Skills).

Process – Lesson Plans (or, any ideas for other teachers to consider)

Resources – any resources that could be used by the teacher in preparation for this unit of work

Pre-requisites
/10
Visual Impact Appropriate Template/Design used on Home Page and subsequent pages

Images or graphics used to aid students

Layout and Design – font size appropriate to target audience; colour of font; navigation; placement of images
/5
Use of Technology Technology Skills developed or Technology used eg. Kids Pix; iMovie; Zoomerang; Kahootz; animation; PowerPoint; Wiki; podcast; Inspiration; Mind Mapping; Venn Diagrams /5
  Total Score /100