The role of WeQuests in learning a foreign/second language

 

What is Webquest?

        Bernie Dodge defined the webquest as “An inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the internet, optionally supplemented with videoconferencing.” a webquest provides a means of supplying to students a topic-oriented hotlist of web sites as a starting point for gathering information. Usually webquest are group activities with an end goal of creating a document that collects, summarizes and synthesizes the information gathered. A webquest is clearly structured into components which include:

1- Introduction (Why do this activity).

2- Tasks (What is supposed into accomplished).

3- Process (How to go about it).

4- Evaluative/concluding section.

     Webquests tend to be student-oriented and collaborative, with students engaged in constructivist activities resulting in shared learning experiences and new knowledge. The teacher can upload the tasks (activities) and the students can access to the webquest and complete the task. The task should promote the use of target language and use the authentic materials.

The webquest foster cooperative and collaborative learning. For example, the use of (MOOs) create (usually) text based virtual reality. MOOs is synchronous environment in which users interact in real time with specific roles and conventions. In moods can add graphical elements, audio capabilities and 3-D recently has been added.

    For the future of ESL students in Saudi Arabia I hope to use webquests with the students but that require some criteria such as available of a good internet (wireless) in the school. And make introduction for the use of webquest for the entire learner to be clear to them.



Web Site Evaluation..

 

        There are a huge numbers of website that related to teaching and learning English as a second and foreign language. One of this website is URL: (http://a4esl.org/). It is a website to help students to learn (EFL) and (ESL). It contents many activities, quizzes and other exercisers with different level. In addition it includes multilingual language such as Arabic, English, Chinese and Dutch to facilitate to the learners around the world to access to the website.   

      The website content clear purpose and theme that is give Quizzes, tests, exercises and puzzles to help learners to learn English as (ESL) and (EFL). All the information provided to the student on the website is accurate and all requirements of the assignment have been met. The website has attractive layout that attractive and usable. The elements organize the make the use of website easy. Also, it contents multilingual languages in a field of quizzes, vocabulary and grammar with different levels for each. The link content is high quality and credible site. In addition, the background of the website consistent across pages and does not readability. It content full of color that can be attract the reader but that can be make difficult to some people who have some problems  in his/her eyes. The font style and size are good and easy to read and appropriately for heading and text. The website didn’t content any graphic, images and sound and that negative thing in the website because picture and sound play the important role in attractive the students to use the website. For examples, in the picture site the students can learn vocabulary when match the word with the correct images, also, the learners can learn throughout the sound by listening to the certain conversation or words. However, in the website there is no error in spelling, punctuation or grammar in the final draft.

       Finally from our point of view, the website is good but need some improve. So we suggest that the website need to add:

1- Advertisement and pictures or animations.

2- Feedback.

3- Sound for (Listening skills).