When creating computer based instructional objects there are many additional considerations that have to be made for students to use them independently. For WebQuests, detailed instructions must be given so that the student can stay focused and seek out specific information. Many of the WebQuests I have viewed fail to do this. They provide general links for students to use but once the student arrives at the site, they don't really know where to navigate from there. In addition, I feel it's important to make sure that the links you provide open into a separate window/tab. This allows the student to reference information on the WebQuest page without having to use the back button on the browser. It also teaches the student to multitask a little bit by referencing two pages at once.
For computer based instructional objects such as the StAIR, I think it's important to be sure to create a layout ahead of time and assess the student often. For my StAIR, I plan to create a quiz at the end of each new topic. If the student answers incorrectly, he/she will be redirected back to relearn the material.
After many hours of searching for decent WebQuests in my subject area (Family and Consumer Science), I was able to find 1 that stood out. The VAST majority of the WebQuests I examined were very old (circa 2000) and outdated with many broken links.
Housing Solutions WebQuest:
http://www.fcswebquests.colostate.edu/webquests/Hansma_WebQuest.htm
The reason I selected this as my WebQuets example is because it was very easy to follow, it included each of the main categories (Introduction, Task, Process, Evaluation, Conclusion, Credits, and Teacher Page), and it provided detailed instructions with accessible links. I also felt that the WebQuest was obviously well thought out and it gave excellent scenarios to start the students off on their project. This WebQuest is clearly a long term project. It provides opportunities for student to compare, classify, induce, deduce, and analyze perspectives. The grading rubric provided at the end is an excellent evaluation tool. Additionally, it is great that the students will present their projects to fellow classmates so that they can learn from their peers. I would also provide a guided note taking sheet for students to record information from the presentations of their peers. Afterward we would look for similarities and differences from the various presentations.
Overall I think this was a decent WebQuest and I look forward to using it next semester when I teach Interior Design I.
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Karen,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate what you said about providing guidance so that the student knows what to do when she gets to a website. For some reason, my immediate visual was of a tourist who just stepped out of the hotel into a strange city...with no map or guidebook.
I also completely agree with the need to have each site open in a different window. In the WebQuest I evaluated (which was a really bad one), going to a link made the WebQuest instructions disappear, so I kept having to re-access that page. I teach online classes using ANGEL, and I always make sure to set it so links open in new windows. Otherwise it is just frustrating.
I have exactly the same plan in mind for my StAIR. It is going to have three main topics, and the student will be guided back to the beginning of the topic material if s/he is unsuccessful on the quiz.
I like your idea of a guided notetaking sheet for student presentations. It really helps them focus on what is important. Also, if they have it as they are planning their presentations, it can be a checklist to help them make sure that they don't leave out critical information (or fill the presentation with fluff).
I am really excited about working with you, Karen!
Edie =)
Karen,
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the piece about directions. While exploring WebQuests this week, I saw many that would be very difficult for students to complete without the assistance of a teacher. As a classroom teacher, I can understand the resistance to giving too much scaffolding if I plan on using this as a resource in my classroom. I would most likely be in a computer lab, and I would be available to answer their questions.
I feel like a broken record, but I most definitely agree that each link needs to open into a new window! I consistently saw that on any given WebQuest the link would open in the same window. If you are going beyond the main page of that link, it would be frustrating to navigate within that one page!
Danielle