The task is a formal description of what students will have accomplished by the end of the WebQuest.
The task is a formal description of what students will have accomplished by the end of the WebQuest.
First, the teacher finds resources for a particular topic on the Web. Then, the teacher devises an activity for the students that incorporates the information from the various sites. This task should be doable and interesting.
First, the teacher finds resources for a particular topic on the Web. Then, the teacher devises an activity for the students that incorporates the information from the various sites. This task should be doable and interesting.
Developing this task—or the main research question—is the most difficult and creative aspect of creating a WebQuest. Students can be asked to publish their findings on a Web site, collaborate in an online research initiative with another site or institution, or create a multimedia presentation on a particular aspect of their research. The task should be visually and aesthetically appealing, inherently important (global warming, acid rain, welfare policy, etc.), and fun for the students.
Developing this task—or the main research question—is the most difficult and creative aspect of creating a WebQuest. Students can be asked to publish their findings on a Web site, collaborate in an online research initiative with another site or institution, or create a multimedia presentation on a particular aspect of their research. The task should be visually and aesthetically appealing, inherently important (global warming, acid rain, welfare policy, etc.), and fun for the students.
Describe crisply and clearly what the end result of the learners' activities will be. The task could be a:
Describe crisply and clearly what the end result of the learners' activities will be. The task could be a:
- problem or mystery to be solved;
- position to be formulated and defended;
- product to be designed;
- complexity to be analyzed;
- personal insight to be articulated;
- summary to be created;
- persuasive message or journalistic account to be crafted;
- a creative work, or
- anything that requires the learners to process and transform the information they've gathered.
Show students an example of a finished project. Students get to "see the whole picture" at the beginning of the project, and have a better understanding of what they are trying to accomplish. Showing them examples of previous student work is great; otherwise, a "mock-up" will suffice. There may also be examples of similar student projects on the Web. The best scenario occurs when you have several examples that show students a range of effort and achievement. This allows them to assess and calibrate their own efforts as they begin work on the project.
Show students an example of a finished project. Students get to "see the whole picture" at the beginning of the project, and have a better understanding of what they are trying to accomplish. Showing them examples of previous student work is great; otherwise, a "mock-up" will suffice. There may also be examples of similar student projects on the Web. The best scenario occurs when you have several examples that show students a range of effort and achievement. This allows them to assess and calibrate their own efforts as they begin work on the project.