ED 3601 Science Methods
WebQuest Task Description
Weighting: 25%
Due Date: January 24, 2007
RATIONALE
A WebQuest is an “inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact
with comes from resources on the Internet." This assignment is designed to familiarize you with one
effective way of integrating ICT outcomes into science units. It will help you to become more familiar
with units in the Alberta 1-12 Science Program and the resources available to support teaching and
learning those units. It is also an opportunity to showcase your skills in planning, organization,
assessment, and appropriate use of ICT tools. KSAs: #3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13
THE TASK
You will select a grade level (1-10) or subject (11-12) and unit from the Alberta Science Program of
Studies and create a WebQuest (web-based student activity) that matches particular unit SLOs and the
curriculum emphasis for that unit.
The WebQuest should include the following components:
Introduction - orients students and captures their interest.
Task & Product - describes the activity' and the expected end product.
Process - explains procedures and strategies students should use to complete the task, including a
graphic organizer.
Assessment/Evaluation - measures the results of the activity.
Conclusion - sums up the activity and encourages students to reflect on its process and results.
Credits & References – a list of the resources used and people who helped
Teacher Page – informs teacher-users of the WebQuest about the intended audience, science
program outcomes, processes, resources, assessment/evaluation methods.
THE PRODUCT
Here is a more detailed description of the WebQuest assignment:
• Introduction. (student audience) Write a short paragraph to introduce students to the activity, to capture
their attention and prepare them for what lies ahead. Describe the student role or scenario involved (if
any), provide a short advance organizer or overview of what they will be doing and learning, and indicate
the guiding question(s) that the WebQuest is focused upon.
• Task/Product. (student audience) Clearly describe what students’ assignment will be in a paragraph or
two. For example, the task could be a scientific question to be answered (NS), a product to be analyzed,
or designed and tested (ST), a position on a science-related issue to be researched and defended (STSE).
The activity should involve students in developing science skills (inquiry, problem-solving, decisionmaking, communication) and applying, analyzing, synthesizing, or evaluating knowledge (i.e. higher
levels of Bloom’s taxonomy). Refer to the Science Program of Studies for suitable tasks for particular
units, and also look at example Webquests for ideas. The student product could be a presentation, a
webpage, a letter to the editor, a newspaper article, a multimedia presentation, a model, a creative work,
or anything that requires the learners to transform and represent the information they have gathered. If
the final product involves using an IT tool (e.g., HyperStudio, the Web, video), mention it here
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ED 3601 Science Methods
• Process (student audience) Describe the procedures in detailed numbered steps that students should use
to complete the task. Include links to web resources that students will use, and details of print resources
used for background information (e.g. read Science in Action 8, pp. 226-228). Also include guidance for
students on how to organize information using graphic organizers such as flowcharts, summary tables,
and concept maps. To scaffold student learning you may also wish to develop guide sheets with
questions, hints, etc.
• Evaluation. (student audience) Describe how students’ performance will be assessed/evaluated. Specify
whether there will be a common grade for group work vs. individual grades, and include criteria for
grading, and the scoring guide or checklist to be used for grading student products.
• Conclusion. (student audience) Write a couple of sentences here that summarize what they will have
learned by completing this WebQuest activity. You might also include some rhetorical questions or
additional links to encourage them to extend their thinking into other content beyond this lesson.
• Teacher Page. (teacher audience) Inform teacher-users about the intended audience, the relevant
Alberta Science Program outcomes and other outcomes (e.g. ICT, math, social studies, ELA). Describe
additional procedural details that a teacher would need, including suggestions for organizing groups,
resources processes, anticipated problem areas, and materials and resources needed to implement the
activity. Describe how the activity will be assessed and evaluated and additional details or clrifications
about assessment/evaluation methods and tools.
• Credit & References. List any books, other media and the sources of any images, music or text that you
used. Provide links back to the original source. Say thanks to anyone who provided resources or help.
SUBMISSION
Webquests will be submitted electronically to the instructor by email or CD-ROM.
WEBQUEST RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
• Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators: WebQuests
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/webquest/webquest.html
• WebQuest Page at San Diego State University (Bernie Dodge)
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/
• Best WebQuests (Tom March)
http://bestwebquests.com/
• WebQuest 101 Online Tutuorial
http://www.teachersfirst.com/summer/webquest/quest-a.shtml
• A WebQuest Template (the above format is based on this template)
file:///Users/User/Desktop/lesson-template1/t-lesson-template1.htm
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