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As part of the research and development of the new Mobile Computer Labs at USM, I wanted to offer as many practical examples of computer use across the curriculum. One of the most common and successful methods of integrating the Internet into your classroom can be through the use of WebQuests. This site will provide an overview of why WebQuests are excellent applications of technology in the classroom, give links detailing the structure of WebQuests and tutorials on creating WebQuests, and provide an index of WebQuests available on the net. I am confident that there is an example that can be used in almost every class in the Middle School.
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The developer of the WebQuest model, Bernie Dodge of San Diego State University, describe a WebQuest as an "inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the internet, optionally supplemented with videoconferencing". (Dodge, 1997) A WebQuest is different from giving students a research task an access to the Internet. It is using technology as a pedagogical tool in order to have students create an authentic response to a research problem.
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Why should WebQuests be incorporated in the classroom? WebQuests are one of the best ways possible to use the Internet to develop student learning. Why? Because ...
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What are the components of a WebQuest? A WebQuests has six specific aspects or "building blocks" - an introduction, a definition of the task, an explanation of the process, a listing or resources, a method of evaluation, and a conclusion. For an excellent overview of these building blocks, please visit Bernie Dodge's Building Blocks for WebQuests.
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There are a variety of on-line tutorials for creating WebQuests. The Thacher School in Ojai, California has an excellent on-line tutorial for beginning and advanced WebQuests construction. Bernie Dodge also has a great deal of information on his Readings and Training Materials page.
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What are others saying about WebQuests? Various on-line reviews of WebQuests and the WebQuest process are available. Tom March of ozline.com, Kathy Schrock, Maureen Brown Yoder and Linda Starr are just a few of the online community singing the praises of WebQuests.
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