Internet Fair

WebQuests for Project-based Teacher Training

Presentation at the 38th Annual TESOL Convention, Long Beach, CA, April 2004

Christine Bauer-Ramazani and Kayoko (Koko) Hirano
Saint Michael's College
Colchester, VT 05495
e-mail: cbauer-ramazani at smcvt.edu

URL's associated with this presentation:

• The WebQuest page: http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquest.html
• Christine Bauer-Ramazani's web page of WebQuest materials and resources: http://academics.smcvt.edu/cbauer-ramazani/Links/webquests.htm

Abstract

WebQuests have been a part of project-based learning and teaching in mainstream education for some time and have a multitude of applications in ESL/EFL, both in teacher training and in ESL/EFL classes that are focused on content-based learning.  Following Bernie Dodge and Tom Marsh's approach to WebQuests (http://webquest.sdsu.edu/materials.htm) and using their templates for WebQuests (http://webquest.sdsu.edu/LessonTemplate.html), the teacher trainees in my online graduate Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) class implemented the readings and research for project-based learning by constructing their own collaborative WebQuests for ESL/EFL, both for public-school and college teaching.  The team projects were evaluated by using a rubric for WebQuests (http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestrubric.html).  This presentation will discuss the why's and how's of WebQuests (http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech011.shtml), review the design process, and examine some of the WebQuests my students designed for public-school and college ESL/EFL learners (http://academics.smcvt.edu/cbauer-ramazani/Links/webquests.htm).