I appreciated the Ikpeze article titled "Web-Based inquiry learning: Facilitating thoughtful literacy with WebQuests." WebQuests give students the opportunity to engage in authentic content learning while also learning useful strategies for navigating the internet. Since students have access to multiple online resources, it is likely that they will be able to connect newly introduced content with their prior knowledge. WebQuests require students to take on specific roles and view an issue or event from perspective of those various viewpoints.
WebQuest activities would be great for a social studies class, especially when learning about the US government. I remember feeling either bored or confused when learning about the division of powers in government. WebQuests would allow the student to navigate various internet resources that elaborate on the powers of government. Students could be assigned roles like legislators, judges, presidents and cabinet members and then they could gather relevant information that helps the student understand the duties of their assigned role. Then the teacher can present the class with a current events issue like healthcare and have the students research information about that topic and relate it to their government role. The students could then engage in role play and debate or discuss an appropriate course of action. This type of active learning would help students feel connected to the content material while sharpening their analytical skills.
Some of the problems of WebQuests include time management issues and dealing with internet distractions. Also, there's the ongoing problem with some students lacking access to resources that make the WebQuests possible. Do you think teachers should provide printed materials for students who don't have access? Or would printing materials defeat the purpose of the student actively searching for relevant materials?
Ikpeze, Chinwe H., Boyd, Fenice B. Web-based inquiry learning: Facilitating thoughtful literacy with WebQuests. Reading Teacher; Apr2007, Vol. 60 Issue 7, p644-654.
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No--I think the point of a WebQuest is that it be done collaboratively, and on the web. If printed materials are provided, it kind of defeats those ideas. Furthermore, I always envision WebQuests as a classroom activity, so there really shouldn't be a problem with not having resources at home if everything is done in class--at least the "WebQuesting" part, not necessarily other activities where you think about what you learned or reflect on it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the teacher should provide the printed materials, that takes the "quest" out of webquest. Perhaps the teacher could give the internetless kid a library card? Or maybe a huge stack of encyclopedias. That would be quite a quest.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe teachers should provide printed material because many schools have computer labs that are often open after school where students can get their work done or print paper. If a teachers happens to have a large group of students who are low socioeconomic status who probably can not offer to print many papers she should dedicated a class period for students to go to the computer lab. She/he can also ask the person in charge of the computer lab if its okay that a few come after school, there could also a printing limit of what students can print due to budget costs. Overall though, I think teachers should find loops around the system so her/his students can learned how to use technology more accurately and sufficiently.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I had a difficult time understanding the division of goverment as well. I think your idea of a WebQuest is a great lesson and even though it is time consuming, there are so many things students can learn from doing one on government. Even taking several current issues and debating them. I do not believe you should print things for students who do not have the internet though. Schedule a day or two to use the computer lab where they can work, or have students work in pairs and make sure one of them has a computer.
ReplyDeleteI think providing printed materials would alter the heart of the assignment. Perhaps letting them go to the computer lab or library if there are no computer resources. It would be an "old school" type quest.
ReplyDeletePrinted materials aren't great solutions for providing students without accessibility to webquest materials because it pretty much undermines the essence of webquests period. You do bring up a good point, and I think its great that you are trying to figure out solutions to accessibility issues amongst students. I think a possible better solution would be what Zahra said...using it as a classroom activity. This way you can avoid that problem and schedule computer lab time.
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