Effective Instructional Models for Internet Use in High School

Effective Instructional Models for Internet Integration in the High School Curriculum

Julie Coiro, Jill Castek and Laurie Henry
University of Connecticut

Internet Workshop

Internet Project

Internet Inquiry

WEBQUEST A WebQuest is a complete teaching/learning units for students on the Internet. Students simply follow the directions and complete their learning experiences at a WebQuest site. WebQuest pages usually contain the following sections: 1. Introduction 2. Task Definition 3. A Description of the Process 4. Information Resources 5. Guidance in Organizing the Information 6. A Concluding Activity WebQuests may be developed by anyone but they are often developed by teachers. Because they appear on web pages, they are then available to other teachers. Many different examples may be found by doing a search for a WebQuest in the area you are studying. Use search key words such as: Geometry WebQuest, Panda Bear WebQuest, Eric Carle WebQuest, etc. Here's an example: DNA For Dinner: Assess and apply information about the genetic engineering of food crops. Be Careful! Can a WebQuest meet these standards? Does this WebQuest meet important curriculum goals and learning objectives? How? What would students learn from this experience? What does it teach? Is this important? How much time will this take my students? Is this time well spent or could we accomplish more in less time with another learning experience? Does the WebQuest require students to think critically about information and evaluate the information they encounter? Does higher order thinking take place during the WebQuest or are students only required to develop literal, factual knowledge? Is this WebQuest developed so as to accommodate individual learning needs and interests? Will all of my students be able to benefit from this activity? If not, what must I do to meet individual differences? Is there an opportunity for students to share the results of their WebQuest with the rest of the class for discussion and additional learning? How do students share their learning with the rest of the class, enriching everyone's insights about what took place? Do students know, in advance, how their work on the WebQuest will be evaluated? Will students know what is important to accomplish in the activity based on how it will be evaluated? Are all of the links on the WebQuest active and appropriate for students? Have I completed the WebQuest myself, and checked each of the links to resources that appear?
Try It Out Explore at least one of the webquests below, noting the answers to the Webquest standards listed in your handout.
Language Arts/Literature Advertisers: Interpreters of Our Dreams was created for intermediate to advanced level English language learners to learn about advertising and media literacy. Does Social Rank Matter? This Internet webquest on the worth of a person explores India's caste system, equality, and gender roles with Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird as background. A Traveler's Graphic Journal tasks students with working cooperatively to create an illustrated journal documenting a simulated journey from San Diego, California to San Francisco. (Language Arts and Social Studies) America Dreams Through the Decades challenges students to explore American dreams through history and share their own dream for America's future. The Art of Communication: Women's Plight to be Heard invites students to learn more about female artists and writers of the 19th Century. Back in Time: An Historical Fiction webquest was created to support students as they collaboratively produce a piece of historical fiction focusing on setting, plot and character. Who Gets the Only Lifeboat? The world's largest ship is going to sink with all the major leaders of the world, including educators, doctors, religious leaders, and statesmen. Which of the four esteemed groups should be awarded the only lifeboat? Extreme Sports - Research and submit a project as a journalist for a new adventure magazine. Read2kids: A Children's Literature Webquest for Cross-Age Tutors invites high school students to construct a readaloud manual that will be published in electronic or paper form. Heart of Darkness - Advanced students are introduced to five schools of literary criticism and then asked to apply what they've learned in a critique of select passages from Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. EGallery of Tragic Heroes in Literature and Life challenges students to design a website for an I-Zine to teach others about the archetypical pattern of the tragic hero during their unit on Greek mythology. Foreign Language Webquest Matrix links you to several for high school students.
Math Buying your first car – from financing to comparison shopping to evaluating choices, including purchasinging insurance. The whole nine yards. Road Block – Study averages, data analysis, data manipulation, trends and graphing while analyzing car insurance. Call Me - What is the real story behind all those 10 - 10 numbers we see advertised on TV? Do they really "save at least a buck or two"? How should your family handle their long distance phone calls? In this webquest, you will learn how to use systems of linear equation to decide whether those 10 - 10 numbers really save money. You will compare the rates of 10 - 10 numbers to the rates of regular long distance carriers. Charts and Graphs: Focused on reading, interpreting, and creating computerized charts and graphs. You will be using this site as a guide to your assignment. After learning the basics about business graphs, you will surf some destinations that will provide you with data you can then use to create your own graphs. Don't Burn, Build! A Bridge Design Challenge for highschool geometry and physics students. The Great Pyramid: Perfect for secondary school geometry students. Focused on mathematical analysis. Evaluating Math Games: Play and make recommendations, emphasizes evaluation and synthesis. National Hockey League Salary Creator: Explore the million dollar question of professional salaries and evaluate their real worth using statistical analysis. Major Leagues: use mathematical concepts to evaluate the baseball players on Major League teams. Math Models and Economics: Investment strategies and budgeting. Personal Budget: Set up a budget that would allow you to live the type of life you would like. This includes finding a house, finding a car, developing a budget, and finding a career that would match your income needs.
Science Atomic Structure: focused collecting resources for the purpose of writing books for younger children on elements from the periodic table. DNA For Dinner: Assess and apply information about the genetic engineering of food crops. Bones and the Badge: Solve five authentic mysteries by examining forensic evidence on the web and in your classroom. City in Space: students become colonists on the International Space Station. Conflict Yellowstone Wolves: students investigate both sides of the issue surrounding the reintroduction of wolves into the Yellowstone ecosystem and then write a group letter to important public policy individuals asking them to support or reject this idea. That’s a Possibility: UFO’s - many people post their personal opinions or only know a little bit of the whole story. In the following WebQuest, you will use the power of teamwork and the abundant resources on the Internet to learn all about UFOs. Each person on your team will learn one piece of the puzzle and then you will come together to get a better understanding of the topic. Cloning Webquest: Research from various roles to provide advice for treating Parkinson's Disease using neurons created from human stem cells generated from early stage human embryos. How Far Does Light Go Debate: Students examine the scientific properties of light using evidence from the Internet and then take a position about one of two competing theories. Don't Drink the Water: for biology students -- a few of the resource links are no longer there, but it's a great lesson and new sites could be found. AstroVenture: not quite a webquest format, but exciting nonetheless for studying astronomy, geology, biology and the atmosphere. Forensics Webquest Advanced chemistry students are asked to work with a team to determine what they can about a substance that has been collected from the crime scene and report back to their superiors with their findings. Cavern World: Interdisciplinary unit where students create their own world using science, math, government, economics, and English. Ancient Wonders: A Webquest into Antiquity - Work as part of a team of archeologists to present at the prestigious International Consortium of Archeological Discovery
Social Studies Black History: Exploring African American Issues on the Web introduces models of lessons differentiating webquests from other instructional models including hotlists, subject samplers, treasure hunts, and videoconferencing opportunities. Ancient Egypt Webquest: Design to tomb to honor your leader after death. Recruitment in World War I (Webquest and Student Projects) Students create presentations in an attempt to recruit new volunteers to join Canada's armed forces. The presentation had to be honest in outlining the real dangers, but at the same time present valid reasons for young people to join up. The Otherness of the Past: Exploring California History Chinese Dynasties: Students explore various dynasties and publish a webpage using a table template to organize their ideas while leaving room for originality. The Little Rock 9: Collaborative Webquest on Racial Desegragation in Schools The Salem Witchcraft Trials provides an opportunity for students to become the jury and the accused and decide how the trials should have turned out. Ancient Civilizations: Publish a journal and recreate an accurate portrayal of ancient life. The Civil War Revisited: Predict what the US would be like today if the South had won the Civil War. Dispelling the Myth: A study of Native American and Hispanic Cultures Holocaust: Fact or Fiction - Study Holocaust material from ethical, literary, and sociological points of view. How Far Have We Come? - Compare some aspect of women's life in the past with the present and create a visual metaphor to depict the change. Immigration Today: Examine modern immigration to the United States and decided whether or not immigration reform is needed. In Search of a Hero: Create a want ad for a hero as well as a presentation and persuasive writing to nominate a Hero of the Century from a selected list. The Opening of the Panama Canal: Gather and apply information concerning the Panama Canal and become reporters in the year 1914. Ancient Wonders: A Webquest into Antiquity - Work as part of a team of archeologists to present at the prestigious International Consortium of Archeological Discovery
Other Webquest Data Banks Find comprehensive resources about webquests from The Webquest Page from San Diego State University Also check out SCORE Cyberguides from California Sasketoon Division Teacher's Collection of Webquests and a Webquest 101 Tutorial BlueWeb'n includes similarly formatted activities and projects Try searching Google with "Topic" +webquest +"ninth grade"