1

Reading-Centered Learning ThroughLiterature-Rich WebQuests

Reading-Centered Learning ThroughLiterature-Rich WebQuests

Presenters:Presenters:

Lynn Urban & Dee SchmidtLynn Urban & Dee Schmidt

2

ObjectivesObjectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to

Identify ways that technology can bring reading alive for students

Describe the characteristics and components of a WebQuest

Adapt and create literature-based WebQuests

3

New LiteraciesNew Literacies

The Internet

New text formats

New purposes for reading

New ways to interact with information

4

Bring Reading AliveBring Reading Alive

Technology can Expand the reading experience Make reading more concrete Help with understanding Draw reading and resources together

within meaningful, inquiry-based activities

5

Is it a WebQuest?Is it a WebQuest?

Or is it simply a Or is it simply a web-enhanced web-enhanced

lesson or lesson or activity?activity?

6

WebQuestsWebQuests Developed in the mid-1990’s by Bernie

Dodge of San Diego State University An inquiry-based approach to learning Involve students in tasks that make good use

of Internet-based resources Provide an authentic, technology-rich

environment for problem solving information processing collaboration

7

WebQuestsWebQuests

Bring together the most effective instructional practices into one integrated student activity

Critical thinking

Cooperative Learning

Authentic Assessment

Technology Integration

8

Literature-based WebQuestsLiterature-based WebQuests

Books become the focal point for Books become the focal point for activitiesactivities

Connect books with other resourcesConnect books with other resources

Exploration of characters, themes, Exploration of characters, themes, plots, settings, genres, authors, and plots, settings, genres, authors, and connectionsconnections

9

Literature-based WebQuestsLiterature-based WebQuests

CharactersCharacters

Theme & plotTheme & plot

SettingsSettings

GenresGenres

AuthorsAuthors

ConnectionsConnections

10

Elements of a WebQuestElements of a WebQuest

1.1. IntroductionIntroduction

2.2. TaskTask

3.3. ProcessProcess

4.4. EvaluationEvaluation

5.5. ConclusionConclusion

6.6. Teacher’s NotesTeacher’s Notes

11

Elements of a WebQuestElements of a WebQuest

1.1. IntroductionIntroduction• Prepare the reader (set the stage for Prepare the reader (set the stage for

learning)learning)

• Hook the reader (make it interesting Hook the reader (make it interesting and motivating)and motivating)

• Communicate the “big question” that Communicate the “big question” that the WebQuest is centered aroundthe WebQuest is centered around

12

Elements of a WebQuestElements of a WebQuest

2.2. TaskTask• Focus learners on what they are going Focus learners on what they are going

to doto do

• Describe the culminating performance Describe the culminating performance or product that drives all of the or product that drives all of the learning activitieslearning activities

• DO NOT list the steps they will go DO NOT list the steps they will go through (that is the “process”)through (that is the “process”)

13

Elements of a WebQuestElements of a WebQuest

3.3. ProcessProcess• Steps learners should go through to Steps learners should go through to

accomplish the taskaccomplish the task

• Online resources learners will useOnline resources learners will use

• Scaffolding strategies (building Scaffolding strategies (building background, checking for background, checking for understanding, organizing, roles understanding, organizing, roles students will take) students will take)

14

Elements of a WebQuestElements of a WebQuest

4.4. EvaluationEvaluation• Describe for learners the evaluation Describe for learners the evaluation

criteria needed to meet performance and criteria needed to meet performance and content standardscontent standards

• Specify grading procedure - group work Specify grading procedure - group work vs. individual workvs. individual work

• Include any items such as contracts, Include any items such as contracts, checklists, rubrics checklists, rubrics

15

Elements of a WebQuestElements of a WebQuest

5.5. ConclusionConclusion• Culminating activity to bring project to Culminating activity to bring project to

a closea close

• Encourage reflection on what they’ve Encourage reflection on what they’ve learnedlearned

• Extend the learning beyond this Extend the learning beyond this experience experience

16

Elements of a WebQuestElements of a WebQuest

6.6. Teacher’s NotesTeacher’s Notes• Information to help other teachers Information to help other teachers

implement the WebQuestimplement the WebQuest

• Could include: target learners, Could include: target learners, standards, notes for teaching the unit, standards, notes for teaching the unit, other resources, examples of student other resources, examples of student work work

17

Evaluating WebQuestsEvaluating WebQuests

Does it fit the definition of a WebQuest?Does it fit the definition of a WebQuest?

Is it written in the language of the student?Is it written in the language of the student?

Will students find it interesting, Will students find it interesting, motivating, or moving?motivating, or moving?

Use a Use a rubric to evaluate all components of to evaluate all components of the WebQuest.the WebQuest.