Webquests = effective student learning

After deciding on completing a Webquest for an upcoming assignment, I felt that I must widely research to uncover exactly what they are (I have never seen one before!).

I read the piece titled Webquest review and gained much knowledge about the history and purpose of Webquest for student learning. The underpinning theories which Webquests are based on gained my interest. I strongly believe that the Constructivist approach to teaching and learning is most effective for students.

This paper also was informative as it identified some skills can be developed through the use of Webquests, including Information skills, reading skills and writing and communication skills.

Also identified were some of the challenges of Webquests. These were mainly recognised from the teacher’s perspective such as: time; to prepare the Webquest and to give instructions, behaviour management, inactive links within the Webquest and, for the students, information overload. The writers did suggest ways to overcome these challenges such as planning, developing effective classroom management before undertaking a Webquest and making good use of the resources.

I also found the site “The Webquest Page”very useful to view what Webquests look like.

Reference:Lamb, A., & Teclehaimanot, B. (2005). A decade of webquests: Aretrospective. In M. Orey, J. McClendon, & R. M. Branch, (Eds.). Educational media and technology yearbook (Vol 30). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

Photo sourced from:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30008272@N00/104245167