Chapter Seven: Educational Technology/ A Dinosaur Webquest

In the video "A Dinosaur Webquest," an instructor discuss webquests. A webquest is an activity in which students learn about a topic using the internet. In the video, the instructor gives the students a webquest on dinosaurs. A webquest allows students to learn information using the internet, which is advantagous because the students are allowed to use the internet to learn about a topic. This allows students to learn more information about a topic as well as learn to use the internet to explore a topic. Webquests have many advantages in education. Students are encouraged to learn more information about the topic that they are researching in a webquest. Webquests are fun and educational, allowing students to learn more advanced information about a topic and become more focused on information that it interesting to them. Webquests are also advantagous because it not only encourages learning about a specific topic, but it also encourages students to research topics on their own. Webquests teach students how to research using the internet and navigate the internet. Students may encounter problems with Webquests, however, if the Webquest is not pre-structured. Students might find information that is inappropriate or too difficult if the teacher does not research the websites prior to giving the students the assignment. Also, if the instructor does not first develop the webquest before giving it to the students, the students might not learn the information that the instructor desired the students to learn. A webquest is a structured learning activity using the internet. This structured learning activity can improve learning because it allows students to learn more than just about the topic. The students are encouraged to learn the technology that they are utilizing on the Webquest as well as how to research. Also, through this structured learning experience, students are able to learn information at their own rate in their own way, but it is still the information that is necessary for the students to learn because it is still structured. The students are encouraged to learn because they are enjoying the experience. If I were to create my own Webquest, I would first consider the topic that I wanted to use carefully. Next, I would consider the students and the appropriateness of the topic and websites that would be used in the quest. Afterwards, I would search for pages that were appropriate for the age level and difficulty level of the students. I would try to create an adventure for my students so that they enjoyed the activity but were able to learn about the topic in a way that they would not be able to do in the traditional classroom format, such as reading from a chapter or listening to a lecture.