WebQuests are a great way to teach all different types of content. They require students to complete research on a certain topic by following links on the Internet. You can use them to teach all of the basic subjects in school, such as mathematics, science, reading, writing, and social studies. They can also integrate multiple subjects in one WebQuest. They are easy for students to use and help them get used to researching information on the Internet. The main thing you have to keep in mind when using a WebQuest is to make sure all of the links work. Since websites are continually changing, it is very important to keep your WebQuest up to date with resources that still exist.
With my students I would want to use a few different pedagogical strategies when teaching with WebQuests. First of all, students would be active learners by exploring the websites. I would also want to include collaboration. I think it is very beneficial for students to be able to discuss and work with other students.
In the elementary school some of the online learning technologies would be difficult to use. For instance, students in the lower grades (kindergarten and first) would not be able to create a blog or Wiki site because they do not have the skills yet to makes posts and comment. In these grades I think it would be great to use online simulations which are more engaging and do not require them to write or read in some cases.
There are so many great ways to teach online. I am looking forward to being able to incorporate them into my classroom when I have one of my own!
Michigan Merit Curriculum Online Experience Guideline Companion Document
I agree that in the younger grades it might need to be more one-way use of the Internet, but as students get older, we can have them become participants in creating online content.
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