This site is old but delivers some background information about WebQuest: http://webquest.sdsu.edu/about_webquests.html Here are several ideas for process and of sample WebQuests: http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/buildingblocks/p-index.htm Sample Webquests: http://webquest.org Check out the new QuestGarden: http://webquest.sdsu.edu This could be the beginning of great things to come. Your assignment this week is to create your own Webquest, appropriate for use at the grade level you teach. (Be sure to explore some sample Webquests.) There are many ways to create a Webquest. The examples we've looked at so far have all been created as websites. You may create a Webquest using Word. With Word, you don't need to know anything about creating websites, and you can still provide active links for your students. For our class, we will try generating our Webquests using QuestGarden. This will allow you to have a web-based Webquest that can be easily accessed from any computer, without having to create your own website from scratch. It has certain disadvantages as well, such as the fact that it constrains you somewhat in terms of design and what sections you can create. Go to QuestGarden by clicking here and then on QuestGarden. (If you're using a Mac, Firefox is the only browser that functions with all the features in QuestGarden. All browsers on PC's (IE, Netscape and Firefox) are fully functional in QuestGarden. The first time in QuestGarden, join as a newcomer and complete the form. Remember and save this additional username and password. A good idea is to use the same username and password as you do at WOU so that you won't forget it. After the first time, choose to login here. Check out the various options: Overview, Create, News, Recent or Who's Active. Ultimately choose Create a New WebQuest. Follow the steps and ultimately Publish the site. (Publish is an option near the bottom in the left margin.) As you Publish, watch carefully for the URL of your website. It will typically appear in a yellow box after you click Publish. It will appear again later when you come to edit or revise the website. Remember this URL; this is the URL you will submit to me by email so that I can review your WebQuest. Below is an image of what you will see when you enter QuestGarden. After you have chosen a topic for your WebQuest project, if you simply read the information associated with each link in the left column and respond to each section accordingly, you will have a very successful WebQuest. You will need to choose a topic to teach and have found several websites on the Internet that support this topic before you can complete the project. Of course, you may modify or completely redo your plan at any time. For this assignment, you will not have to complete the Standards section. Several notes:
 You don't have to complete the WebQuest all at one time. You can return to this project many times. It will appear incomplete on the Internet but when you Publish if you deselect the first option (Publish the URL of my WebQuest in the webquest.org database so that others can find it.) only you can see the site. When you're finished you will reveal that URL to your instructor and you may choose to proudly publish in the WebQuest database. Be sure to remember, save or print out your username and password so that you can return to edit this Webquest. Your Webquest must include the following sections:
You may use any search engine to find websites that will be appropriate for your Webquest. Another resource you might find useful is eMints. This portal has many links to educational websites that are organized by theme and by age-level appropriateness. You'll have to log in as a teacher, but it seems to accept everyone who provides the name of the school they teach in and the class they teach (or their own name). An excellent resource for weeding out those sites that are not educational or not age-appropriate. Be sure that the websites you provide contain accurate information, and provide enough information that students will be able to complete the task you have assigned. Use this rubric to evaluate your Webquest before you submit it to me. Submit the URL of your WebQuest to me before June 9.
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