WebQuests
in the Primary School
WebQuests are web-based activities that are used in today's classrooms. They aim to provide an easy access to Internet research for students and teachers. They allow students to use the Internet and the web to find information and apply the knowledge they discover.
"A WebQuest", according to Bernie Dodge, the originator of the WebQuest concept, "is an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web. WebQuests are designed to use learners' time well, to focus on using information rather than on looking for it, and to support learner's thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation."
WebQuests use the constructivist approach to learning. They are a great learning tool. They allow the student to construct their own knowledge and then solve a task that allows them to use their imagination and problem-solving skills. The answers must be discovered or created.
A well-planned WebQuest provides guidance for students, a creative end task and web links to help answer questions. It can also be designed for the students to work independently and allow the teacher to be a facilitator in students' learning. Teachers can design their own WebQuests using templates or choose from the many that are on the Internet.
As WebQuests are a technology-based activity they should be part of your curriculum and should be linked to previous and subsequent activities that you may be following in your classroom.
This site has links to WebQuests that are designed to fit the NSW Department of Education and Training K-6 curriculums in English, Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science at Stage 3 level.
Stage Three Years 5-6
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For more information on WebQuests, go to "WebQuests in the Primary School".
This website has been designed by Wendy Kemp for the subject 81529 - Supervised Project 1 in the course Master of Education Technology at the University of Southern Queensland.
Last updated: 23 June, 2001. Reviewed 7 March, 2004. Next Page