Web Quests Appropriate for

Secondary Teachers of Social Studies

Selected by: Lynn Matthews

Birth of a Bill

www.aacps.org/aacps/boe/INSTR/CURR/COMED/HSWebQuest/Frick2/index.htm

Audience: 9^th grade US History, but could be used for any secondary level

Summary: This requires students to choose an interest group and design a bill they would like to put before Congress. Students then research bills that have already passed (the way they are written, topics, and gather ideas) and then design one of their own as if part of a particular interest group. The final assignment requires a cover letter that explains their position, as well as the proposed bill in entirety.

My thoughts: There are some great links included in this WebQuest. I really like the models it provides for students to follow as well. It is very easy to navigate with clear instructions and expectations. It allows for student to explore freely while still having a clear outcome.

Stand and Be Heard: Civil Disobedience

http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webquests/civildisobedience/

Audience: High School

Summary: Students research the history of a particular type of civil disobedience and complete a template of sorts to complete a well-constructed paper that describes the history and consequences of civil disobedience, as well as a required plan of action based on the scenario in the introduction. The paper ends with reasoning as to why the students plan of action will work or fail in achieving results. The paper is written individually; however, the follow up requires group work to discuss the types of civil disobedience and then devise a group action plan and an oral presentation.

My thoughts: This Webquest begins with a scenario that initially catches the attention of the audience and gives the students vested interest in the process. It requires lots of reasoning skills and interaction amongst the groups.

The Decision to Drop the Bomb

http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webquests/wwii/

Audience: High School

Summary: This asks students to take on the role of a Japanese citizen, an advisor to President Truman, the Secretary of Defense, American military personnel, or a nuclear physicist. The students will end up participating in a town hall (debate) to answer the question, “Should the US have dropped the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?” Then, after the facts have been presented, prepare a 1 page paper on their particular point of view.

My Thoughts: This requires students to think in a higher order and be able to defend their particular point of view. It gives good links for background information and allows students to hear all sides of the debate and formulate their own feelings/opinions on the topic (an outstanding way to wrap up such a unit of study as it is sure to conjure up many controversial points).

How Should They Be Remembered: DuBois & Washington

http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webquests/remember/

Audience: High School

Summary: This requires students to familiarize themselves with the backgrounds and beliefs of W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington. Then, design a mural that represents the two men and prepare a written and oral explanation the mural they designed. As a group, they work to defend their rationale for including the particular depictions in their mural.

My Thoughts: I liked that the introduction prefaces a few key questions that they should take into consideration when thinking about the roles of these two African-American leaders. I did find one invalid link, but it does not diminish any of the value of the quest itself!

Ethics

www.aacps.org/aacps/boe/INSTR/CURR/COMED/HSwebquest/index.htm

Audience: High School

Summary: The students examine multiple levels of copyright laws. They look for and design scenarios that illustrate appropriate and inappropriate uses of copyrighted materials. They must investigate for print, music (printed), records/discs/audio, films, radio, TV, cable TV, video tapes, and computer programs. They are required to present the copyright laws, the penalties involved for infringement, and the appropriate avenues to obtain permissions.

My Thoughts: I appreciated this one because the topic is not addressed well enough in education. In my opinion, the knowledge included/learned from this quest should be required curriculum. Do note however that this particular WebQuest did have a number of inactive links and students will need to venture out into the vastness of the world wide web in order to acquire enough information to complete this assignment in entirety.

Our Vacation to France

http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webquests/france/

Audience: Middle through High School

Summary: this requires students to plan a trip to France. Each student within the working groups were assigned a different role in the “family” that needed at be addressed in the sights that were visited (history buff, nature lover, fun lover and beach bum surfer. The end product produced is a scrapbook.

My Thoughts: The links that were given for students to explore were easily navigated and provided good information. Students would still need to explore beyond the sites given, but they are a great leaping pad. I found this to be high interest project. Adaptations could be made to make it easier for younger students and more difficult for high school students. I’ve seen similar projects that have added math skills by requiring a budget to be followed.