webquests.

I referenced this Webquest in my previous post and since then, can’t stop thinking about it. 

(I recognize that is both a little vain and a bit of hyperbole, but it has honestly been on my mind quite a bit.)

When I was asked to create a Webquest for a technology class I’m currently taking, I internally rolled my eyes a bit because Webquests to me have always felt highly elementary to me.  I’ve only ever seen them in the context of research and gaining background knowledge of something and, quite frankly, they have always appeared to me to be a waste of time. 

So, when I was asked to create my own, I was determined to create something I could actually use in my classroom and what happened from there was a grand discovery indeed.

Webquests can foster the inquiry process.  That’s what I realized. 

Instead of creating a PowerPoint in which I explained all the rules for finding reliable sources and showing kids examples of reliable and non-reliable, students were finding those answers without me.  On their own.  Inquiry. 

I’m already starting to think of ways I can utilize Google Sites (remember how easy they are?) and Webquests in my future endeavors.  In any case, I’m a believer now.

Google Sites

I recently created two very different Google sites for a couple of graduate classes I’m currently immersed in this summer.

One is a poetry file found HERE made up of 20 poems and activities to correspond to those poems.

The other is a WebQuest found HERE in which I tried to guide students through the process of looking for reliable sources on the Internet.

They both have some work to do (the latter could use some visual improvements, for instance), but as I worked my way through the project, I was reminded of how easy it is to create a website through Google and think it is most definitely an underutilized tool among teachers today.  It’s user friendly and easily accessible which, for this teacher, give it two big thumbs up.

So, my suggestion is to give it a try, and if you need some tips to get going, here’s a quick (and very basic) introductory tutorial:

Creating a Google Site

It’s easy!  Don’t delay!