My Webquest Evaluation

Hi Everyone !

 Our new task for this week is selecting and evaluating a webquest about English / Language Arts according to a webquest rubric given us. So, I evaluated from  a webquest which is in zunal.com. Endangered Animals in Greece is my webquest which I have selected and  will evaluate.

taken by zunal.com

 I think webquests are good supplementation for both teachers and students. Not only teachers can easily use it in the lesson, but also students can benefit from the technology thank to it. Moreover, Students have many opportunities such as investigating, evaluating and learning in webquests. But, the pictures and the figures match with the aim of the topic while they are inadequate for the viewers. Using many visual post is very important to attract students. When I look the home page of the webquest, I can easily see and say that navigation is perfect and learners don't have any difficulties in finding pages. I didn't encounter any mechanic problems and there is not any deficiency as to links, images and tables. However, it is necessary to enrich webquest with graphic elements.

The webquest I chose starts with a welcome page. The author introduces the description of the title and introduces the writer and the key words. The introduction of the webquest engagingly describes a compelling problem: Endangered Animals in Greece.  But  the author gives a very brief explanation . He focuses on the aim of the topic.  It prepares the learner by foreshadowing what the lesson is about.

The task of webquest is explained and understood briefly and clearly. it is connected to what students must know and will do. The teacher asks the students to make research. So, the students' prior knowledge is ignored.  The task requires retelling of information found on web pages. The task requires synthesis of multiple sources of information.

In the process part,  the students' tasks are explained clearly. It is explained step by step what students are assumed to do. The teacher gives a website,( You can find from here),and wants them to find the answers to the questions and put the together. A website is given for every step. It goes on so. There are missing information. They have to read them and then they have to find them. So Activities are related and designed to take students from basic knowledge to higher level thinking. Different roles are assigned to help students understand the topic from different perspectives.

Resources used are relevant to the topic. Connection between all the sources and the information is very obvious. Links carry information not ordinarily found in a classroom. More complex activities are needed the students to understand the topic than entertaining activities. Links are to the point and they make excellent use of the timeliness. Varied sources provide enough meaningful information for students.

At the evaluation part, criteria for success are stated in the form of a rubric. it clearly measures what students must know and be able to do to accomplish the task.

 In my opinion, webquests are a beneficial sources for us. Everybody should benefit from them. There are many information. So, for a teacher, it is a good guide. I will use the webquest in my classes. I  will integrate the technology in my classes by using webquests. While I was evaluating this webquest, I didn't have any difficulties. Because there is a rubric for our using. But it takes much time. I enjoyed from my task. Hopefully,  It developed my critical thinking. I hope you will enjoy it.

Goodbye.

Gülden DELEN