The
Role of WebQuests
in
the Curriculum:
An
Action Research Project
“A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most
or all the information that learners work with comes from the web.”
“Action research refers to teacher-conducted classroom research that
seeks to clarify and resolve practical teaching issues and problems.”
(Richards & Farrell,p.171,
2005)
Purpose
of the Study
}To identify the role of WebQuests in the course curriculum
}To understand the relationship between developing academic skills, course objectives and student perceptions
Guiding Questions
}How do WebQuests address the learning objectives of the course?
}What are the students’
perceptions of the role of WebQuests in their own learning?
Writing from e-Sources
}Identify relevant sources
}Evaluate, collect, organize
}Summarize, paraphrase, and synthesize
}Document sources
}Draft, revise and edit writing
Methods
}Systematic Observation
}Analysis of Student Products
}Student Surveys
}Student Interviews
Writing
from e-Sources
•SEARCH
•SKIM
•SCAN
•SELECT
•SUMMARIZE
•SYNTHESIZE
•CITE
WebQuests
•SEARCH
•SKIM
•SCAN
•SELECT
•SUMMARIZE
•SYNTHESIZE
•CITE
Role of WebQuests
}Guide through selected e-sources
}Activate critical thinking
}Practice skimming/scanning e-text
}Provide note taking practice
}Introduce citing sources
Student Perceptions
}Fun way to prepare for more serious internet-based
research
}Working in teams gives students confidence to work independently
}Serves as practice of time management for independent e-research
The role of webquests in the curriculum is
to introduce students to internet-based research through a guided inquiry process that requires many of the same skills used
in secondary research
