Drew Bugden
Dr. Williams
EDUC671
April 24, 2011
Synthesis 4: Webquest
Webquests are a relatively new phenomenon to enter the classroom. With technology comes new and interesting ways to educate our youth. Essentially, webquests are a replacement to simply reading chapters and answering quiz questions. It is a more interactive and unlimited way of learning. Students use the internet to gain new knowledge not found inside of the classroom. With a web quest, students work in a more independent fashion. They are guided through their “quest” by directions on line. Webquests have many benefits. Specifically, the webquest I have created encompasses these three important factors: the webquest initiates a higher global understanding, helps the teacher prepare their students for the future through the use of technology, and the webquest relates specifically to NCSS standards eight and nine.
Social justice is a key component of webquests. A higher global understanding is created in students due to the immense amount of information presented to them as they search the web. The students see different and even opposing points of view which get their young minds thinking outside of the box. Inside of a 20th century classroom, students may have never had the opportunity to hear, view and debate opposing points of view. Along with the spread of ideas comes the spread of knowledge and critical thinking. That is why webquests are so important. They are an integral tool to helping students understand other peoples and cultures. This global understanding is an aspect of the webquests that can not be overlooked. Students become better informed and understanding of other’s opinions.
In “The War At Home” webquest, students investigate change over time as it pertains to American society during the major 20th century conflicts. In those 100 years, the home front has changed considerably. How Americans view war has changed, how Americans sacrifice during war has changed, media coverage of war has changed, and who can participate and how they participate in war has changed. Seeing change through time and by viewing many different viewpoints on war is extremely beneficial to students. This webquest challenges students to imagine themselves in a different moment in history; it challenges them to imagine themselves in someone else’s shoes.
Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate in human history. With this rapid change in how people think, how businesses work and everyday life, students need to keep up. Long gone are the days of a simple blackboard and teachers lecturing hours at a time. Students need to be prepared to compete in a large, ever-changing global economy. Jobs are getting more and more competitive as time moves forward, and with that, students need the training necessary to adapt to many different careers. This is why webquests are an essential part of the learning process. A webquest not only teaches students about the content, it helps them learn to navigate and effectively use technology. Simply knowing how to effectively use the internet to quickly find relevant information is an extremely important skill that 21st century students need. Logging onto the internet is one thing, finding relevant and accurate information is a completely different aspect of the webquest. Technology as a skill is a must for the next generation. Computer illiterate people seeking jobs in the future are going to have a tough time.
In “The War At Home” webquest, students are challenged to find and use quality sources. A number of sites are provided by the instructor, but the real focus of this webquest is to get students thinking outside of the box as to how to find relevant information. To create their own unique story, students must venture out on their own through the internet. This prepares students for the future in many ways. Students gain wonderful experience in completing a body of work on their own. It creates a feeling of independence that can not be simulated through old teaching techniques.
The webquest follows both NCSS standards 8 and 9. Standard eight is met by students learning about and understanding change. Through these projects, students look at American politics, culture and media over roughly a one hundred year period. The amount of changes that have taken place in the previous century are unmatched in any other point in human history. The four conflicts (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Iraq/Afghanistan) signify the quarter marks in a century of rapid advancement and change. Each conflict set the country towards a completely different path and its ramifications will echo in eternity. The four conflicts (as horrible as they were) played integral roles in the creation of new technologies. Students have the ability through the webquest to see history over a period of 100 years and can adequately understand change.
In terms of standard 9, students will completely understand the importance of changes in communication, transportation and trade. Each of these major conflicts are based on each of these three concepts. Students study changes in media coverage of these conflicts. Students also focus on the transportation of different people and ideas throughout the country and world. During the Second World War, for example, a massive migration of African American workers to major weapons manufacturing plants took place. This, in turn, caused major conflicts and divisions on the home front. Coincidentally, students are urged to look at this scenario as an idea for their journal entries for the project.
This webquest is a very unique opportunity for students to leave the clutches of their teacher and to venture out into cyberspace on their own. It creates a sense of ownership to the project. Students have the ability to make a lot of creative decisions on their projects. This project teaches students to find and identify credible sources and it also allows for major creativity in the classroom. Students also get to learn invaluable lessons in how to use and navigate different technologies.
