If you are like me, teaching English as a foreign language, you might have thought over and over again that how we can make English a live language in students' life. If you also found your students think of English only as a subject instead of a delicate code to express themselves, experience the world and in the end lose the interest in it, the website I am going to introduce-WebQuest-might help you and give you some more ideas about how to integrate English with other activities from which students can learn real life and academic skills, and to transform the dull grammar class into a lively debate competition or a mock travel agency!
WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity that all or most of the information students need to complete the tasks comes from the web. These activities can be done by individual or a group, and students may have to work at home by themselves and in class as well. There are numerous WebQuests which aim to practice reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills, or train the four skills during the whole task-solving process. Therefore, teachers can choose what suits their teaching context best and they can even make their own WebQuest!
Still not knowing how WebQuest works? Let's take some example of WebQuest!
The teacher has to divide the students into groups of 5 because each member of the group has their work respectively. Everyone in the group has to choose their work from History and Culture, Sights, Museums, Parks/Entertainments, Shopping/Eating and cover the reports detailed in the column. Everything the students may need has been provided in the Resource page where they have to read and decide what information to use in their report by themselves. After each member has collected the material needed, they have to discuss what to present and work together to make their Powerpoint for their representation. The teacher may use the suggested form to evaluate students' individual and group performance as well as their English skill.
This is a WebQuest that students learn English and biology knowledge and raise their awareness of wild life conservation. At the end of the task, students need to write a letter about their suggestions regarding the protection of sharks. They have to make a group of three to read topics about sharks in several fields, and the three roles are Marine Biologist, Fisheries Officer, Conservationist or Journalist. The work of each role and the group have to complete as well as the resources they need are all detailed in the Process page. The evaluation form is also available for teacher here.
Click "Find WebQuest", you will then see "QuestGarden Search". Click "Search the QuestGarden Database".
And then you will see the QuestGarden Search Page! You can choose all kinds of WebQuest according to different languages, subjects, and grades.
Still not knowing how WebQuest works? Let's take some example of WebQuest!
1. GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66
-Plan a trip to a city, and present it in front of the class!- individual & group work
- reading & speaking skill
- computer skills
The teacher has to divide the students into groups of 5 because each member of the group has their work respectively. Everyone in the group has to choose their work from History and Culture, Sights, Museums, Parks/Entertainments, Shopping/Eating and cover the reports detailed in the column. Everything the students may need has been provided in the Resource page where they have to read and decide what information to use in their report by themselves. After each member has collected the material needed, they have to discuss what to present and work together to make their Powerpoint for their representation. The teacher may use the suggested form to evaluate students' individual and group performance as well as their English skill.
2. Ferocious Predator or Soup of the Day?
- Learn the relationship between shark and human- individual and group work
- reading & writing skill
- computer skill
- biology knowledge & wild life conservation issue
How to use WebQuest
Ok, now we have known what WebQuest is and how it works, you may want to start to find some WebQuest that can be used in your class. Please open the homepage of WebQuest, and find the Find WebQuest on the left. Click "Find WebQuest", you will then see "QuestGarden Search". Click "Search the QuestGarden Database".
And then you will see the QuestGarden Search Page! You can choose all kinds of WebQuest according to different languages, subjects, and grades.
Why use WebQuest?
I like WebQuest because it is a process in which students feel they are USING English instead of LEARNING a subject far far away form their life, and in fact, they learn English when using it. What's more, students doe not merely learn language in a WebQuest because almost each task needs students to employ their skills in communication and computer, to be creative in art and music, to develop logical thinking, to work independently and cooperatively. The tasks of WebQuest are the reality in miniature, and what students learn are real, practical skills that can be very helpful in their future.
The teacher can even choose a WebQuest that is related to the topic the students are learning in biology, history or other subjects, or issues about social, environment, wild life protection being concerned. I believe the greatest value of WebQuest is to connect the academic purpose with the event in real life. So it is important that teacher should give clear instruction and let students what to do and how to do it.
How do you think about WebQuest? You are welcomed to leave message and share more ideas about it!
How Can We, Teachers, Use WebQuest?
Since there are so many WebQuests, why don't you list some and negotiate which one to use with your students? I believe letting the students choose one that interests them most can definitely enhance the learning quality when they engage in the tasks. Many research has shown that learner are more motivated when they grow an identity of what they are doing. That is, if they feel free to express themselves, do something they have passion for, or have the control of their job, they will be more engaged in the whole process.The teacher can even choose a WebQuest that is related to the topic the students are learning in biology, history or other subjects, or issues about social, environment, wild life protection being concerned. I believe the greatest value of WebQuest is to connect the academic purpose with the event in real life. So it is important that teacher should give clear instruction and let students what to do and how to do it.
How do you think about WebQuest? You are welcomed to leave message and share more ideas about it!
It is Good, But....
- Well, I believe most of the WebQuests are very good, so the problem is how to choose a proper one for your class, and sometimes you may find it difficult to find one that can meet all your needs.
- Since it is a WebQuest, students have to be able to access a computer and the Internet so the teacher have to help students having problem with this.
- The process of completing a WebQuest can be very long, so teachers in a school having a inflexible teaching schedule may have time pressure when running it or even not allow to do it.
- The evaluation is more complicated than marking a multiple-choice test. It is a time consuming work for teachers, and some parents may argue the objectivity of your judgement.
very clear instructions and rich in content. If i were you, i would say "how should language teachers use webquest?" instead of "how will i use webquest". Anyway, brilliant post!
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