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.