Egypt Exploring
http://questgarden.com/95/04/3/100125150347/index.htm
This webquest leaves much to be desired! It has a good idea, but it is just the bare bones... it is lacking in both structure and content, and is not ready for prime time.
Usability:
The links that are there do work, but they are very general and there are not that many of them. The overall visual design is not too bad---the colors are pleasing and the font is acceptable. The images used are not very high quality---they appear stretched and out-of-focus. The directions are too vague, and what little material that is there is not very clear for pursuing the task. The objective is very broad without much assistance or direction.
Mechanics:
The links do function properly, and the grammar and spelling are okay. The color choices are fine.
Content:
This is where the authors really missed the boat. The relationship to state or national standards is not evident. Time management of the tasks is hard to assess, since the tasks are not clearly identified---well, they are stated, but there is no clear instruction for how to have the information requested gathered or organized.... The idea is to organize a trip to Egypt, and to plan all sights, activities, transportation, flights, meals, tickets---and all while making a set budget. This is a very interesting idea, but there is not much student support given in how to accomplish these tasks. I think the idea is great, but this webquest is poorly organized and designed. The rubric seems to be pulled from an unrelated project. This is an inquiry based lesson---but it just might be too much of one.
Monday, October 31, 2011
A Well Designed Webquest
Creating a Modern Museum of Romanticism
http://questgarden.com/80/56/4/090414191926/index.htm
This is an example of very engaging and well-designed webquest. With this webquest the authors are asking their students to design an exhibit about Romantic art, music, poetry, and prose for a newly envisioned Modern Museum of Romanticism. It is a unique and creative "hook" for a webquest, and it works extremely well, in my opinion.
Usability:
All of the links to the (many) websites work. They also open in new pages, which is very convenient for the students. The objective of the lesson is spelled out clearly and the tasks are well defined. The directions are easy to understand and to follow. The visual aesthetics of the webquest are very pleasing and easy on the eye. All material is laid out in a way that makes reading it a breeze. The authors have done a superb job!
Mechanics:
The choices for color, font, images, and layout work extremely well, and go hand in hand with one of the points of this lesson---designing a pleasing and informative (and beautiful) museum experience. All of the links work properly, and there are no spelling errors or grammatical mistakes
Content:
The tasks set forth by the authors are both age appropriate and very manageable time-wise. The process (order of steps) adds to the learning objectives. The websites used provide students with accurate and appropriate information. There is also a plethora of information for each topic, allowing student choice to have a strong and I believe a positive role in the assignment. This webquest adds to the students overall educational experience, and it most definitely assesses learning goals and objectives clearly and objectively, even though the topic can be considered a very subjective one--art!
http://questgarden.com/80/56/4/090414191926/index.htm
This is an example of very engaging and well-designed webquest. With this webquest the authors are asking their students to design an exhibit about Romantic art, music, poetry, and prose for a newly envisioned Modern Museum of Romanticism. It is a unique and creative "hook" for a webquest, and it works extremely well, in my opinion.
Usability:
All of the links to the (many) websites work. They also open in new pages, which is very convenient for the students. The objective of the lesson is spelled out clearly and the tasks are well defined. The directions are easy to understand and to follow. The visual aesthetics of the webquest are very pleasing and easy on the eye. All material is laid out in a way that makes reading it a breeze. The authors have done a superb job!
Mechanics:
The choices for color, font, images, and layout work extremely well, and go hand in hand with one of the points of this lesson---designing a pleasing and informative (and beautiful) museum experience. All of the links work properly, and there are no spelling errors or grammatical mistakes
Content:
The tasks set forth by the authors are both age appropriate and very manageable time-wise. The process (order of steps) adds to the learning objectives. The websites used provide students with accurate and appropriate information. There is also a plethora of information for each topic, allowing student choice to have a strong and I believe a positive role in the assignment. This webquest adds to the students overall educational experience, and it most definitely assesses learning goals and objectives clearly and objectively, even though the topic can be considered a very subjective one--art!
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