Introduction

This lesson was developed in partial fulfillment of requirements for the L630 Course Development for Online Educators course through Indiana University.

In this webquest, learners will use their search skills to mine the web for language learning activities. The will then get practice writing descriptions and evaluations. Finally, they will send a formal e-mail message with these descriptions and evaluations to the instructor.

Learners

This webquest was designed as part of an online course for EFL learners in Japan aimed at developing language learning strategies and skills using the internet. The course could be used for a variety of ESL or EFL contexts, including individual learners or groups.

Learners will need basic computer skills and be able to use browsers and e-mail software. Learners with target language skills below lower intermediate will have difficulty reading the explanation and/or completing the tasks.

Curriculum Standards

In addition to locating useful language learning websites and activities, learners will get practice with the following skills:

Language

• Reading, including sub skills such as scanning and skimming.
  
• Writing, including descriptions, opinions and e-mail messages.

• Search engine use.
  
• E-mail, netiquette.

Process

The first part of the task includes the following steps:

1. First you should open up an new browser window and use one of the popular search engines (Yahoo, Google or AltaVista) to search for ESL/EFL language learning activities. You might want to review some search tips at Dogpile.
2. When you find a website that has language learning activities, look around and then try out one or two.

1. If you would like to include this in the class reference list, copy the URL for the website and paste it into an e-mail message. Write a short description (20 - 25 words) and your evaluation (30 - 50 words).
   
2. You can send this e-mail to your instructor now or wait until you have found another website you would like to include.

For the online course, learners can do the task at their own pace and spend as much time as needed. For classroom-based courses, the task shouldn't require more than one or two class periods.

The task was designed to be done individually, but could be adapted to accommodate groups. This may be more challenging in online environments.

The teacher needs to make sure everyone understands the instructions and be available to answer questions. For the online course, questions can be answered via e-mail. The teacher should also be able to access the websites reviewed by the learners and have an understanding of both website evaluation and the value of specific language learning activities.

Variations

Again, this webquest could be done in small groups. Specific roles for each member would likely facilitate smoother completion of the task.

Resources Needed

Each learner will need access to the following:

• Internet-ready computer
• Browser software
• E-mail software
  
• An E-mail account

Describe also the human resources needed. how many teachers are needed to implement the lesson. Is one enough? Is there a role for aides or parents in the room? Do you need to coordinate with a teacher at another school? With a partner in industry or a museum or other entity? Is a field trip designed in as part of the lesson?

Evaluation

Evaluation will be based mainly on the final e-mail message and the quality of the website/activity descriptions and evaluations. Follow up correspondence can also be used to clarify any uncertainties.

Student evaluation of the webquest activity can be included in the final course survey or immediately after completion of the webquest.

Conclusion

This webquest allows for quite a bit of freedom, for some learners maybe too much. However, this freedom will hopefully encourage learners to take more responsibility for their own learning, which should be at top of the language teacher's list of priorities.

Credits & References

This webquest was designed in partial fulfillment of requirements for the L630 Course Development for Online Educators course through Indiana University.

The WebQuest template was altered using Netscape Composer.