Webquests

INTERNET-BASED PROJECT WORKS

1. According to Dudeney and Hockly (2007), Internet-based project works are a structured way for teachers to begin to incorporate the Internet into the language classroom, on both a short-term and a long-term basis. 
2. They take time to plan and design.
3. The use of projects encourages cooperative learning, and therefore stimulates interaction.
4. They can be used simply for language learning purposes, but can also be interdisciplinary, allowing for cross-over into other departments and subject areas. This can often give them a more "real-world" look and feel, and provide greater motivation for the learner. 
5. They encourage critical thinking skills. Learners have to transform information in order to achieve a given task. 

In order to prepare for Internet-based project work, there are some points to take into account:

• Choose the project topic
  Will your learners be researching famous people, an event or an issue?
• Make the task clear
  What information will they need to find - biographical, factual, views and opinions?
• Find the resources
  Which websites will your learners need to visit? Do these websites contain the information they need and are they at the right level? 
• Decide on the outcome
  What is the final purpose of the project? For example, will your learners be making a poster, a presentation or holding a debate?

  

WEBQUESTS are projects in which a large percentage of the input and material is supplied from the Internet.

There are usually four main sections to a webquest:

Step 1 - Introduction
This stage is normally used to introduce the overall theme of the webquest.

Step 2 -Task

The task section of the webquest explains clearly and precisely what the learners will have to do as they work their way through the webquest.

Step 3 - Process
The process stage of a webquest guides the learners through a set of activities and research tasks, using a set of predefined resources: a set of active links to websites within the task document.

Step 4 - Evaluation
The evaluation stage can involve learners in self-evaluation, comparing and contrasting what they have produced with other learners, and giving feedback on what they feel they have learnt and achieved.

Here you can see an example of a Webquest created with Zunal.com:

Click here to have a further look at the webquest.

Reference: 

Hockly, N., & Dudeney, G. (2007) Chapter 4 “Internet-based project work”. In How to Teach English with Technology. Essex: Pearson.
 

Zunal.com, & Zunal.com. (n.d.). LET'S TAKE A BREAK! Retrieved from http://zunal.com/process.php?w=414659.