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Developing a Social Studies WebQuest Project
A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity that directs students to the Web for information. Carefully constructed WebQuests build higher-level thinking skills, help develop students' organizational abilities, and also teach important content and concepts. They are ideally suited to the social studies classroom.
Bernie Dodge and Tom March of San Diego State University introduced the model for WebQuest learning in 1995 (see The WebQuest Page). Since then, educators across the nation have built their own WebQuest lessons in many disciplines such as science and social studies.
Many fine examples of WebQuests can be found online. For example, Tom March's Searching for China, is an excellent teaching tool that has continued to evolve over the years.
Following a simple template and set of guidelines, you too can develop successful WebQuest projects for your students.
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The Five Essential Sections of the WebQuest
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The following features are common to all WebQuests.
Introduction. Here students get an overview of the activity. The Big Quest(ion) is explained and background information helps students understand the overall nature of the project.
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Task. The problem is stated in terms that can be easily comprehended. Students gain insight into the work to be performed and the end product, which will be evaluated. A comprehensive list of the goals of the WebQuest is included here.
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Process. The steps that students need to complete the project are thoroughly defined and explained. Students have a roadmap to follow. The rules are laid out and individual assignments are described, along with detailed instructions for each part of the process to help keep the individual or team focused.
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Evaluation. This includes the application of information and a rubric for evaluation of the WebQuest. All measurements of the project are spelled out in detail.
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Conclusion. A summary statement may also direct students to further research or a follow-up activity. Credits are included here.
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Some Simple Guidelines
If you are planning to build a WebQuest, there are some very important rules to think about:
Sample WebQuests for Social Studies
WebQuests can vary in length and complexity. Here are suggestions for three WebQuests that represent the span of complexity. They are listed from most labor intensive to least.
The first one, Protecting Privacy, could be a major project for a government class. A brief five-step process is given as an example below. You may modify and complete the WebQuest to meet your students' needs.
The second, Ranking the Presidents, could be of medium duration for an American history class. Here you will find a summary of what could be included in the WebQuest.
The last suggestion, Building a Travel Brochure, could be a geography project done by each student in a short time.
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WebQuest: Protecting Privacy
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Introduction
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The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution implies the right to privacy. Although this right is not specifically stated, the Supreme Court has decided privacy cases based on Fourth Amendment protections against search and seizure without a warrant. Today, however, there are several unresolved issues regarding the right to privacy.
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Task
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You and your team members are the staff of a high-ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Because of the ongoing threats to national security, several House members are working on legislation to enable the government to hunt down terrorists. At the same time, Congress is receiving considerable mail and lobbying efforts from people and groups that are concerned over the loss of privacy including Internet security issues, stolen identities, and so on (include links to interest groups or speakers on this issue here).
Your boss wants to develop a solid and comprehensive statement on this issue to deliver in a speech to be delivered on the floor of the House within a couple of weeks. She believes that it could enhance her stature in the House and with the public, positioning her for a run for a Senate seat in the next election.
The staff should produce a speech, a letter to concerned constituents, and a strategy for using the issue in the upcoming election.
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Process
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This is not a simple issue to address. Countervailing interests could object to many provisions of any bill (include link to House and/or Senate) introduced on this subject.
While your boss does not intend to introduce legislation, she is concerned that her position can be defended. Your tasks are to:
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Identify and understand the historic issues and some Supreme Court decisions on the subject of privacy.
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Evaluate various current arguments of special-interest groups and pundits on this topic.
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Make a summary list of the possible political pitfalls of various positions on privacy and security.
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Construct an appealing and patriotic speech to be delivered in the House.
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Write a form letter that can be sent to any constituent that writes or calls your House member's office on this topic.
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Prepare a brief for your boss to refer to in the upcoming campaign.
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Evaluation
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Construct an evaluation rubric for the project here.
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Conclusion
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Write a summary of the project and credits for any links or resources included in the document.
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WebQuest: Ranking the Presidents
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Summary
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Historians and others often publish their rankings of American Presidents. Not everyone agrees.
Could there be a more objective way to rank these important leaders? The task is to study the various rankings of the presidents, create a somewhat objective instrument for doing your own ranking, and then rank the presidents.
Apply your criteria to the presidents from 1900 to the present, and publish your results on a poster.
This project could be done concurrently by four or five teams. In that way the teams could compare their final rankings.
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WebQuest: Building a Travel Brochure
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Summary
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Travel brochures are a fixture in the tourism industry and are used extensively to lure visitors to destinations. Since tourism represents a significant contribution to many local economies, it can be a powerful tool for helping students learn about the people and places involved.
For this WebQuest, each student represents the Office of Travel and Tourism for a foreign country or a state.
The task is to produce a brochure that will be successful in increasing tourism. In doing so, students can be asked to assess the importance of tourism on the economy.
They will also need to identify both the strengths and weaknesses that might contribute to the overall magnetism of a tourist destination. Likewise, they must strategize how to overcome negative attributes that might turn off tourists.
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