Computer-based Instructional Objects

In looking at this week's reflection, I was able to view a variety of WebQuests put together by teachers from around the United States. Many of them were out of date, referencing programs that no longer exist and had multiple links that led to sites that also do not exist.

As far as working within a classroom, I prefer WebQuests because they have a greater ability to be interactive. Many of the examples had students working in groups, researching things online and presenting information as a group. StAIR projects are helpful in teaching and reinforcing new content, but can be done individually, even without a teacher present. Both seem useful in the appropriate context.

As I searched through some example WebQuests, I found many interesting social studies topics that relate to my curriculum. I particularly liked this example because it asked the students to make a choice to travel west on the Oregon Trail or to stay put. They had to take into consideration different points of view and make a persuasive argument as to why they chose what they did. I also liked this WebQuest because it involves different learning styles. The students need to put on their creative hats as they learn about the Aztecs, specifically Aztec legend, "The Two Mountains." The simplicity of this WebQuest made me consider using it with my own students. If all the links were active, I probably would use it. We cover life cycles at the beginning of the year, which makes the simple design of this WebQuest ideal in timing.

It was important to me, as I looked through all the different examples I found, to click through the WebQuests' links. In the process, I found that many were empty links or went to websites that had more advertisements than information. When considering WebQuests, looking at the links is a vital part of the process. Not only were there many dead links, but I came across one that seemed to be perfect for my students until I looked through the links. The websites they referenced were way above a third grade reading level, which I would not have known had I not done a thorough search.

While WebQuests are valuable tools for learning, and I am amazed at the vast amount available, it is important to make sure all the websites linked to are active and appropriate for your students. Also, when websites are out of date, students do not have current information to reference. I like the way many WebQuests are set up, but thorough research needs to be done of existing sites before they should be used in the classroom.