Why We're Here:
Our goal during this workshop will be to learn more about organizing the materials available on the world wide web to facilitate student learning. Participants will investigate a variety of age appropriate web-based research strategies designed for structuring appropriate resources and making them available in a web-based environment.
Review Strategies:
Characteristics of Effective WebQuests:
Task: The purpose of this activity will be to extend your perspective on webquests by introducing you to a variety of WebQuest activities designed by different teachers and oriented toward diverse disciplines and interdisciplinary contexts. The goal will be to identify effective elements in the learning process rather than focus on the subject-matter content
Process: Log on to the WebQuest About WebQuests site and follow the directions. Be sure to download and fill out the Worksheet. Also be careful to approach the "WebQuest About WebQuests" from the standpoint of your assigned role. Jot down your thoughts and comments for the discussion we'll have at the conclusion of our workshop.
Discussion:
Why We're Here:
Our goal during this workshop will be to implement the design principles outlined in the Introductory Workshop. We'll begin with a topic or problem related to our theme of the Harlem Renaissance. Next we'll pull together appropriate web-based resources. Finally we'll organize these materials using a WebQuest template and make them available as a learning activity on the World Wide Web.
Create a "Webliography":
A Webliography is a term for a hyperlinked, annotated, web-based bibliography. We'll go through the process of creating a "Webliogrpahy" together the first time and then, you will have some time during the workshop to begin the development of your own "track". Remember that this webliography will provide the resources which your students will consult as they engage the task and process of their WebQuest. You may choose to build your own track, or if you prefer, use and amend one of the many webliographies prepared by other teachers.
The following general resources might prove helpful in both getting started and continuing your work...
Resources
You may find it useful to keep in mind an Evaluation Strategy as you assess the Quality of Your Websites. You and your students should consider an evaluation instrument such as the one developed at UCLA (Thinking Critically about World Wide Web Resources). As use of web-based resources becomes more and more frequent, it will become equally important to teach a process for assessing sites that have been selected for use in Webliographies.
Adding Detail to the WebQuest:
A Design Template may be a useful tool to consult as you begin to think specifically about your WebQuest project. First, click on the link to open the document. You can read the directions in each section and then replace them with your own words as you work your way through the various elements of the design process. Or, if you wish, you may incorporate the spirit of the webquest idea in whatever way makes the most sense for you.
When you save your work, convert the text to html to make it ready for the Web.