There are many challenges to consider when creating online products used to teach children, such as WebQuests and educational websites. First, it must be appropriate to the child’s reading level and current level of understanding of the topic. Next, it must be user-friendly. This means that students need to be able to navigate simply and without help. It is also important to be sure that the information and links are up-to-date. Information also needs to be presented in an interesting, engaging format without being too distracting from the objective.
Here are some WebQuests I have found that would be useful for a Library Media Specialist:
This is a WebQuest about the Dewey Decimal System for 4th-6th Grade students. I am currently learning to teach students about the Dewey Decimal System. This WebQuest is entertaining and user-friendly. It gives students an overview of the Dewey Decimal System as well as explanations of each level. Students learn through deductive instruction since they are looking for specific information and writing it down, rather than completing a project or doing analysis.
This is another WebQuest to teach about the Dewey Decimal System. It is designed for 5th grade. The introduction really gives students a problem to solve- the library was accidentally knocked down and students need to write a manual for volunteers to put the books back in order. The process is broken down so different groups work on different parts and the final product will be a book students create using a word processor or other publishing program. This WebQuest also uses deductive instruction since it requires mainly information gathering and requires students to present the information in a new way.
This is a WebQuest to help students connect literacy (Frog and Toad books, by Arnold Lobel) to science (frog and toad facts). Students are told that Frog and Toad are fighting and they need to help by showing them how they are alike and different. Students first read some stories, then work with a partner to explore websites to learn about frogs and toads. The project is to create a poster about frogs and another about toads. I like this WebQuest because it presents a great way to help students make connections between fiction and non-fiction. Students learn through a deductive process, but are then required to do analysis of the information to compare and contrast the information they gathered.
I agree that webQuest need to be user friendly. I think that the experience of working on the computer independently or in small groups can be overwhelming so a website that can be easily navigated is important. I am very quickly turned off by websites that are cluttered and hard to sort through. I am sure that my students would be too!
ReplyDeleteI love the webQuest about frogs and toads. This is a great example of how students can learn so many different content areas as they complete a webquest. I love the connection between literacy, science and technology. What a great way to help students see connections between what they are learning.
The first thing I noticed when I began looking at webQuests was the reading level. As a first grade teacher, I find that it would be difficult to use them in the classroom without volunteers or older student partners. They would probably be able to do most of the computer functions, but the reading would be difficult. Thanks for the frog and toad webQuest, my class loves those books!
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