Experience #2

If you are a visual learner, like me, it facilitates your learning process to see samples of a finished product. Although this is not possible or ideal in every learning situation, it will enhance your experience here. This section allows you to look at various WebQuests as potential lessons in your classroom or as models for a Quest you will design.

In this lesson, you will form an opinion as an educator and answer the question, "What makes a good WebQuest" by critically looking at other Quests.

To successfully complete this section, you must be able to:

	Explain what a WebQuest is and identify its parts
	Distinguish a WebQuest from other Internet-basd activities
	Apply knowledge of WebQuest elements analytically

Now, let's begin! Travel to the selected readings below to analyze the WebQuest more closely. If you are already confident in your ability to analyze and organize a WebQuest, then you may circumvent the readings and proceed to the application activities, #1 and #2.This lesson will take you approximately

Selected Readings

The WebQuest is comprised of six structural elements. They provide focus, instruction, navigation, and pre-screened resources. Visit the sites below for information on the anatomy of a WebQuest.

WebQuest Parts--print this

Building Blocks of a WebQuest

Application Activity

Now that you understand the parts of a WebQuest, it's time to look more critically at each of the parts. Notice that in this Teacher Quest, each of the six elements are present although I have opted to change some titles and create additional segments. Applying the Constructivist approach, you will analyze three WebQuest sites.

#1
Selecting WebQuests

Go to and then to find several online catalogs of WebQuests. You will need to select three WebQuests for this activity. I recommend that you select a Quest from your content area as it will help you generate ideas for your own design.

#2
WebQuest Analysis Report

Begin by typing your name as you want it to appear in your report:

Enter the web addresses of the three WebQuests you selected in Activity #1, in sections one through three of this form. Visit each of those sites, locating and analyzing the six sections for strengths and weaknesses. List those qualities in the corresponding sections of the form below. When you are finished, the form will produce a printable page to use as a reference and to share. If you have difficulty with this page, copy/paste the report into a Word document and print.

WebQuest #2: Type in URL

Strengths example 1: Use this example in support?

Weaknesses example 2: Use this example in support?

Based upon your examples, write an overall critique of this Quest.

WebQuest #3: Type in URL

Strengths example 1: Use this example in support?

Weaknesses example 2: Use this example in support?

Based upon your examples, write an overall critique of this Quest.

Think about what you have written in the above forms. Did you notice certain qualities across Quests? Did you find elements that you would include in your own design? Based on your findings, draft a blueprint of successful Quest elements.

Successful Quest Blueprint:
A Synthesis of Effective WebQuest Qualities

Once you have a solid blueprint, click "Create My Full Report." A window will pop open with your customized report. Come back to this page as often as you like to adjust your examples (click in the checkbox if you don't want that example included in your report) and revise your Successful Quest Blueprint until you are satisfied. Clicking on the "Create My Full Report" button again will change your Full Report Webpage. Copy/paste or print out your Full Report.

If you are working in a group as the Analyzer, you must present your group with clear criteria delineating the six sections of a WebQuest. Make enough copies of your Final Report for each group member. In addition, it would be extremely helpful if you walked them through an existing WebQuest, pointing out and explaining the sections as you fielded questions. You will provide a critical look at both existing WebQuests that the group may preview and the WebQuest that your group will design.