The WebQuest Task

Here is an interesting version of a WebQuest task:

[youtube http://youtu.be/s3svfNn_qR8] Video: A WebQuest Task (0:40)

In a WebQuest the challenge phase starts with the introduction, but peaks in the Task. A good WebQuest task includes:

• a real-world connection (e.g. the ban on the ivory trade)
• real-world roles:  (e.g. the team will play the roles of representatives from the  ivory trade and nature conservation)
• a real-world kind of task: (e.g. the team will have to make recommendations to the SITES world summit about whether ivory should be sold on the world market again)
• real-world deliverables, even if in a make-believe situation, but they know what they will have to deliver  (e.g. they will have to deliver a presentation and brief paper containing their recommendations)

Here is an example of a WebQuest task: 

It is 1985. You are part of a respected team of journalists creating a commemorative newspaper to spotlight the glory days of space exploration. Your team will look at contributions from 1950 until 1985. Your publisher would like you to focus on the ideas learned during this important time in world history. Your team will research the scientific and cultural contributions of the space programme and create a four-page newspaper complete with pictures, artwork, and graphs.

Here is a second example:

Your School Governing Body is considering a ban on all wireless electronics in your school. Members have received complaints that wireless products like cell phones and laptop computers distract learners in class. If wireless devices are banned, learners and teachers could not use cell phones at school. Laptop computers and wireless internet access wouldn’t be allowed even for educational purposes. The Governing Body wants to hear from the public about this issue. Then they will vote on whether or not to approve the ban. You must take a stand and prepare a presentation for the School Governing Body to tell them what you think about the proposal to ban wireless devices.

Can you identify the 4 real-time elements in the examples? Can you see how this might engage learners?

1. Join the discussion group for this lesson called Challenge Phase. 
2. Share your thoughts about these two examples. Could you improve on them? Do you have any other examples of great WebQuest tasks?