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Putting It All Together
Keep in mind that substance over style is an important mind-set. While your Web site should not be
bland, glitzy technical attributes can be distracting unless they enhance instructional delivery.
ONLINE WEB AUTHORING
This option allows you to use an online template that you fill-in-the-blanks. An online Web
authoring provider allows you to immediately upload your WebQuest to the Internet and does
not require any Web authoring background. The following Web page hosts are free or offer a paid
option without advertising.
QuestGarden - Created by Dr. Bernie Dodge, the father of Webquests, The templates are formatted for WebQuests. Mac users should use Firefox or Netscape. There is a $20 fee for two years. You do not have to renew your fee to keep the site online, just if you want to update it.
Wikispaces for Teachers
A wiki makes for a quick free Web site. Take advantage of the free Plus space offer?
Go to your space, click on `Manage Space' then `Subscription'. At the bottom of the page, you can request a complimentary upgrade to our Plus plan. Certify that your space will be used exclusively for K-12 (primary and secondary) education, and we will notify you when we process your request.
Getting Started Handout
Help using wikispaces http://help.wikispaces.com/
Powerpoint on using wikispaces
Wikispaces Education Community
Tripod for Teachers
Free online Web authoring. Nice templates and support.
Instant WebQuest - Free templates with sample WebQuests for each component.
TeacherWeb Free template driven online authoring site. Good explanations of each WebQuest component.
Filamentality - Offers a WebQuest Template with user friendly tutorials. No advertising; you must
renew once a year to keep site uploaded; no graphic capabilities.
Geocities - Graphics capabilities; advertising unless you pay $5 per month; no renewal necessary.
WEBQUEST TEMPLATES
All the navigation links are included in the templates. You will need to know basic Web authoring
program mechanics, i.e., inserting graphics, hyperlinks, and tables. Quick tutorials in Microsoft Word, Netscape Composer, FrontPage, and Dreamweaver are provided below.
WEB AUTHORING TUTORIALS
Microsoft Word - Use this popular program to create basic Web sites or with templates. You can only use frames in Windows computers.
Netscape Composer - It comes bundled in any Netscape browser. Does not have frame capabilities.
FrontPage - Microsoft program that is part of the professional bundle, or you can purchase as a stand alone. More advanced features than Word and Composer. Good for novice and intermediate level users. Components help Frames help
Dreamweaver - A beginner to advanced program by Micromedia. For more detailed instructions click here.
ANALYZING AND DESIGNING THE PROCESS
The Webquest process format helps ensure that students stay focused on tasks and learning goals. A teacher cannot assume that students understand how to engage in collaborative tasks. The teacher as a facilitator may have to provide opportunities for students to develop group processing skills.
ASSESSMENT ISSUES
Tasks and assessment are interrelated. Students should understand how they will be evaluated before and during their involvement in the process. A teacher may want to consider evaluating the collaborative qualities of group members also. Involving the students in the assessment process is another issue to consider, (see Negotiable Assessment article below) While rubrics have gained popularity as assessment tools, they have pros and cons associated with their effectiveness. Select an assessment format that you are most comfortable with and not necessarily the easiest to implement online.