WebQuests- An effective tool for task-based instruction

Hi, everyone.

Today, I’d like to share ideas of WebQuest and its application to our classroom.

What is a WebQuest?

    A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. These can be created using various programs, including a simple word processing document that includes links to websites. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

 

What’s the difference between ‘Googling’ and WebQuest?

    There are also a good number of websites that label their activities 'WebQuests' when they are in fact 'Cybersearches'. Googling 'WebQuest' will not necessarily take you to 'inquiry-oriented activities' based on sound pedagogy! Try asking these questions: Do the students have an exciting, engaging task to do? Are they expected to transform information into something they themselves have created? Are they working collaboratively with others? Are they asked to evaluate as well as describe? If not, is it really a WebQuest??

(From Tilly Harrison’s page http://questgarden.com/author/create/preview.php?u=&l=16243-110202033926&a=&p=credits&pt=teacher)

 

What’s the benefit from it on EFL classrooms?

 

  It’s perfect for task-base language teaching where more authentic language use is promoted by having students do meaningful tasks with their target language. It is one of the effective teaching methods of real target language use and also I believe the application of a WebQuest allows the EFL classroom to escape from teacher-centred paradigms, to encourage learner autonomy and student interactions through problem solving. Also, learners’ metacognitive learning ability can be taken place.
 

What's the process of WebQuests?

You can create your own WebQuests normally following the six staged of it: introduction, task, process, resources, evaluation, and conclusion. Thankfully, there are now thousands of ready-made WebQuests that we can bring into our classroom.

Questgarden is one of the best sites for WebQuest lessons.

Go to the website : http://questgarden.com

 

  If you sign up for a free trial, you can access to ready-made lesson plans by teachers all over the world! It's very easy to search up WebQuest lesson plans for your target teaching skills. For example, if you put the keyword "reading" into the "research for example" you will see about 40 lesson plans shared for free and you can immediately check if it's related to your student's level and topics.

  Among them, Oh the Possiblirites by Kerry Ann McKevitt is one of my favourites which I’d like to apply into my classroom. I think it's more related practical life knowledge such as making a plan to convince others your ideas and searching for cheap but nice accommodations and restaurants. Students will actually learn English very naturally while doing these kinds of realistic activities and in particular, academically highly motivated students (who have a dream of studying abroad) will find it most useful and interesting as a way of learning more practical and authentic English.

The task given to the students is below:

You and your classmates have to plan a trip for three weeks. You will have to include a detailed plan of activities and a budget. Once you have made your plans, you and your classmates will present your proposal to the class. In this WebQuest, you will have to search for information about language courses in the city chosen as well as information related to the trip (flights, accomodation, food, free time, etc.).

This activity will have a positive effect on

• improving their reading skills by helping them become more familiar with materials in English
• developing both oral and wiring skills by giving both the written proposal and a presentation.
• Learning cooperative learning through collaborative activities with a group project.
• Extending higher-order thinking such as analysis, creativity, or criticism

 My suggested WebQuest activity for listening and writing skills

A group of students is given a price comparison website and they are supposed to give a present for mother’s day. They have to choose one best item among at least 5 different kinds of it within £50. They should write the comparison in different aspects and provide good rationale for the final choice.

Hope you enjoy my post. Many Thanks! :)

Yuna