WebQuests

  This week our main focus was to read and study different WebQuests on the internet to better inform ourself and prepare us for creating our own WebQuest.  For my former degree I took a technology course where I had to create a webquest.  I totally forgot about it until now.  I worked hard on the different components for each section and based mine on a United States Social Studies lesson.  At the time when I created it, WebQuests were a new term to me.  And after I created it, I never visited it or thought about it until now.  As a teachers assistant I don't hear much focus on this type on learning.  I think the reason it's not practiced often is because of the teachers confidence with the internet and technology.  Many teachers cringe when technology is used and get overwhelmed with the always changing programs and learning tools.  Therefore most teachers stick clear of using the computer with their whole class which puts WebQuests out of the picture.  

 I think WebQuests would be very engaging and exciting for students because they often like to get out of their desks and learn in different ways, and the computer is something that excites them.  I still wonder what grade WebQuests would be suitable for.  When I created mine it was for upper grades, as I assumed they would have the computer knowledge.  But as you get to the younger grades I wonder how young these could be started.  Maybe 3rd grade?  Im thinking in third grade they could navigate through the pages with guidance but could not do it on their own.

  I hope that as teachers become more comfortable with different types of technology they utilize these different types of learning in their classroom.  I know the big thing right now is SmartBoard technology which has some teachers exciting and others horrified.  But as we grow to be more comfortable I hope WebQuests will be used more.......and hopefully this assignment will inform me enough to have me experiment with my own class and try it more than once or twice this year!