WebQuest Reflection

I had never heard of a WebQuest before this assignment was given. I had a lot of fun learning what a WebQuest is, how to use it effectively in the classroom, and how to use the WebQuest template at zunal.com. WebQuests are an awesome tool for any classroom. They integrate subject material with real-world problems and questions. They go way beyond mere fact regurgitation and actually require students to use critical thinking skills to come up with a solutions rather than just learning information and relaying it.

In my WebQuest, I required students, in groups, to create a defense for one of four books that were being hypothetically banned in our school district. This assignment required students to use the resources given to them, along with their own knowledge of the book, to effectively explain to the school board (other classmates) why students should be able to read the book. There were four books to choose from and no real limitations on how the students were to convince the school board (other than it had to be in presentation format). Each work the students would create for this assignment could be completely different and innovative.

I would have liked to give students a few more resources. If I actually use this in my classroom in the future, I will definitely do a bit more research and get a few more links per book for students to use. Also, I will probably change the choices of books students have to choose from. In an ideal situation, I will have taught all of the books required to complete this WebQuest prior to assigning the WebQuest. I would also pick which books I think would be the most interesting or challenging to defend for this assignment and make sure we get to reading those sometime during the semester.

This assignment was, by far, my favorite. I learned how to create an interactive assignment online for my students that could last from one week to half a semester (if I so choose). By using this technology I will be inspiring students to think beyond the text book and apply the skills they learn in my class to real world situations. I learned how to provide a safe environment for students to research topics and how to provide a fun and creative activity in which students can work in groups to use technology and create original, unique presentations.