Building Blocks of a WebQuest

(cont'd)

3. A process that delineates the steps the learners should follow in accomplishing the task. It is to be a collaborative activity for students.

   • Learners are grouped into teams in which each learner is usually asked to take on a specific role to carry out the WebQuest, e.g., scientist, detective, reporter).  A good WebQuest generates some tension or conflict that must be resolved.

   • Scaffolding exercises/worksheets are used to provide steps, resources, and tools for organizing information.  For ESL/EFL learners scaffolding exercises need to be constructed that work on language skills.

   • A set of information sources needed to complete the task

     • web sites

     • experts available via e-mail or realtime conferencing

     • searchable databases on the net

     • video/audio material

     • books

     • other documents physically available in the learner's setting.

   • Some guidance on how to organize the information acquired

     • guiding questions

     • directions to complete organizational frameworks such as timelines, concept maps, or cause-and-effect diagrams

3Back                                                                                                                                        Next4