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Using WebQuests in the Social Studies Classroom
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Using WebQuests in the Social Studies Classroom
A Culturally Responsive Approach



June 2008 | 152 pages | Corwin

"Founded on a well-established educational rationale, this book takes the critical and challenging step of helping teachers integrate culturally responsive education into their own practice. By using real student stories, the authors spin an engaging narrative that both informs and entertains."
—Tom March, Codeveloper
WebQuest

Foster student inquiry and higher-level thinking with this powerful Web-based model!

Today's educators face the challenges of making content engaging and relevant for students from diverse backgrounds and incorporating technology in the classroom. Designed to optimize content learning and promote greater intercultural understanding, Using WebQuests in the Social Studies Classroom shows how educators can make social studies personal and real while nurturing globally minded students.

This unique guide presents practical strategies for using WebQuests: inquiry-oriented, collaborative student activities that use Web-based information for solving problems through focused analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Aligned with the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) standards, the American Historical Association criteria for Excellent Classroom Teaching, and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards, this comprehensive resource includes:

  • Real stories portraying culturally diverse classrooms
  • Comprehensive examples of culturally responsive WebQuests
  • Guidelines, tips, and step-by-step instructions for developing WebQuests

Reflective exercises throughout make this guide an ideal professional development resource for teachers interested in learning more about culturally responsive social studies and technologically enhanced instruction.


 
Preface
Why This Book?

 
Real Voices... Typical Classroom Challenges

 
Practical, Usable Curriculum Content

 
Acknowledgments

 
 
About the Authors
 
1. The Challenge of Culturally Responsive Teaching
Meet Harrison Songolo

 
The Need for a Culturally Responsive Context

 
The Larger Narrative

 
Powerful Social Studies... Powerful Citizens

 
Imaginative Entry

 
The Quest for Connections

 
 
2. The Technologically Competent Social Studies Teacher
The NETS Project

 
Essential Conditions for Successful Technology Integration

 
Technology Resources

 
Special Considerations for Classroom Technology

 
Web Site Accessibility

 
Assistive Technology

 
Legal Implications

 
Online Technology Resources

 
 
3. The WebQuest Model
Background and History

 
Why Use the WebQuest Model?

 
Example WebQuest No. 1: Exploring Socio-Economic Conditions

 
One Zambia, One Nation?

 
 
4. Designing WebQuests
Core Components of a WebQuest

 
Introduction

 
Task

 
Process

 
Evaluation

 
Other Components of the Model

 
Design Process

 
Selecting a Primary Design Tool

 
QuestGarden

 
Assessing WebQuests

 
Online Resources

 
 
5. Getting Started: Learners, Topics, and Design Patterns
Getting Started

 
Anita’s Classroom

 
Meet Happy-Hardy Guinguing

 
Brainstorming WebQuest Ideas

 
General Social Studies

 
Online Resources: Social Studies Topics

 
Culturally Responsive Topics

 
Online Resources: Cultural Sensitivity

 
Anita’s Challenge: Teaching World Religions

 
Design Patterns

 
Example WebQuest No. 2: World Religions and Conflicts

 
Religious Conflict: Is an End in Sight?

 
 
6. Authentic and Engaging Tasks
Meet Juan Pablo Escoriza

 
Posing Authentic Problems to Challenge Thinking Skills

 
Brainstorming WebQuest Tasks

 
Exercises: Tasks From Example WebQuests in Previous Chapters

 
Chart of Possible Tasks

 
Online Resources

 
Example WebQuest No. 3: Immigration: Past, Present, and Future

 
Lights, Camera, Action! An Immigration Perspective

 
 
7. Evaluation Rubrics
Meet Vladimir Emilov Evtimov

 
Using Rubrics

 
Online Tools

 
How Many Rubrics?

 
Rubric Dimensions and Scale

 
Exercises: Evaluation Rubrics From Example WebQuests

 
Online Resources

 
Example WebQuest No. 4: Effective Use of Maps and Geographic Tools

 
Calling All Cartographers!

 
 
8. The WebQuest Process: How, What, and When
Meet Haseena Niazi

 
Teams and Roles

 
Exercises: Teams and Roles From Example WebQuests

 
Choosing Appropriate Resources

 
Internet Resources

 
Search Engines

 
Selecting Web Sites

 
Social Studies Links

 
Accessibility Issues

 
Copyright, Fair Use, and Citation of Sources

 
Other Resources

 
Exercises: Resources From Example WebQuests

 
Online Resources

 
Example WebQuest No. 5: Voting Rights and Responsibilities

 
Let Our Voices Be Heard!

 
 
9. Finalizing Your WebQuest Design
Meet Poroma Kanya

 
WebQuest Introductions

 
WebQuest Conclusions

 
Using Images and Other Tools

 
Teacher Page and Credits

 
Assessing Your WebQuest

 
Tom March’s Seven Points for a Great WebQuest

 
 
10. The Challenge Ahead: A Quest for Peace
Humanistic Education

 
Choices for the 21st-Century Education Program

 
A Workable Peace

 
Freedom Writers

 
A Final Quest

 
Keeping the Quest Alive

 
 
Other Resources
A. Ten Thematic Strands in Social Studies

 
B. National Education Technology Standards for Students

 
C. Sites for Selecting Specialized Resources

 
D. Standards Associated With Example WebQuests

 
 
References
 
Suggested Readings: Cultural Responsiveness in the Classroom
 
Index

"Founded on a well-established educational rationale, this book takes the critical and challenging step of helping teachers integrate culturally responsive education into their own practice. By using real student stories, the authors spin an engaging narrative that informs and entertains."

Tom March, Codeveloper
WebQuest

"Shows teachers how to create quality WebQuests using constructivist principles while also encouraging teacher reflection. The book has inspired me in my efforts to make my teaching responsive to students’ needs and the real-world requirements of our education system."

Greg Oppel, Social Studies Teacher
Edmond Memorial High School, OK

"Offers endless resources for the novice or experienced teacher. In a culturally diverse classroom, WebQuests provide students with an opportunity to showcase their cultures and take pride in their learning. While the text is geared to the social studies teacher, the steps of the WebQuest are explained so that any teacher in any discipline may develop and utilize this resource in their curriculum."

Luis M. Oliveira, Spanish Teacher
Middletown High School, RI
Key features
  • Uses actual student stories that portray typical, culturally diverse classrooms
  • Describes how to develop specific WebQuest components
  • Presents comprehensive examples of culturally responsive WebQuests
  • Shows how WebQuests link to National Council for Social Studies Standards (NCSS), the American Historical Association's criteria for Excellent Classroom Teaching, and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards
  • Incorporates professional reflection and guided practice tools to facilitate professional development

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