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| Teaching With
JamesQuest
Each webquest contained within JamesQuest is a separate and singular
activity, mean to stand on its own. They can be used as lessons in a
classroom setting, group projects, or serve as the basis for long-term
projects done by individual students.
Classroom Instruction:
- All of the webquests center around Jamestown and the settlement of
Virginia. As a primer, students may be instructed to read a brief survey of the history of
Jamestown if this has not been covered in the course so far. This
can be done as preparation homework the evening or class before (can be
printed out for indivual student use) or as a brief introduction at the
beginning of the period.
- If the entire class has access to separate computers, JamesQuest can
be used in one of two ways:
- The entire class performs the same webquest and a class discussion is
held later which is based upon their findings, or
- Different groups engage in different webquests, and assessment is
based upon their specific task and findings
- In either case, students should be instructed to follow the webquest
in the following order:
- The Task. This is the first screen that students encounter
when choosing a particular webquest. If the entire class is engaged in
the same webquest, the task should be read, discussed, and analyzed aloud.
In groups, students should all be instructed to write down the task and
discuss it as a group before moving on.
- The Process.The most important step in the webquest,
students
should be encouraged to print this page out to have as a ready-reference
as they set out to search the Web. If printing is not available, then
encourage student (s) to copy the steps in writing.
- Resources.One of the advantages of these webquests is the
various perspectives and sources of information that students encounter.
Encourage students to use all resources available, as their
assessment will be determined by this. Some lists are more exhaustive
than others, but students should be encouraged and guided to consult all
references on the list. Students should not necessarily be bound by their
specific list, and should consult the master
bibliography for other relevant sites.
- Evaluation.This should be discussed with students at the
beginning of class, immediately following the Task.
- Conclusion. This can serve as the foundation for a whole
class
discussion. The questions listed in this section of each webquest can
serve as great "jumping off" points for a consideration of the bigger
issues addressed by the activity. Ifdifferent webquests are being
covered, these questions can serve as the basis for reflective essays,
small group discussion, or as points which can be presented in a larger
class discussion.
This is http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu
It was designed by Chad C. Fairey.
It is maintained by UVA's Program in Social Studies Education.
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