Read Three

After reading the article: Five Rules for Writing a Great WebQuest by Bernie Dodge I immediately felt compelled to make copies of the five guiding principle (FOCUS) and give them to my colleagues-hoping that like most handouts it wouldn't end up in the recycle bin :)
The FOCUS model (Find great sites, Orchestrate your learners and resources, Challenge your learners to think, Use the medium, and Scaffold high expectations) is clear and concise. It is not overloaded with details and facts that leave you dumbfounded and ready to give up prior to starting, instead it makes the reader confident in attacking the task at hand.
I found several advantages of appropriately incorporating WebQuest in the classroom. For starters they appeal to a variety of learners. When properly done WebQuest can address all of the multiple intelligences, providing opportunities for all students to be engaged. They can also provide opportunities for differentiated instruction. Students of all ability levels can participate in learning through WebQuest. The article specifically states how to challenge students, not just give them opportunities to retell/paraphrase information. This can be done by organizing resources and students and selecting great tasks that promote higher order thinking.
Immediately I can see how instruction could be enhanced in my classroom with WebQuest. They would most definitely be useful for teaching "Holidays Around The World", science (weather unit), and social studies (communities) lesson plans just to name a few. I have currently only created one WebQuest with the help of classmates, but I am setting the goal of creating at least one Webquest this year for my students. I have the FOCUS model to follow and the example of the one created in class. With my new found confidence I've discovered I am up for the challenge.
In regards to the digital divide I will do my part in passing along this information to my school body. I hope that they will put this information to good use, but I know there will be a few individuals that may be apprehensive about it. I am by far no , "techie" but I am willing to learn. I am approaching this challenge by taking it one step at a time. It may take me a few years to really become confident with this new craft, but in the long run my students benefit. Who knows maybe my kids will actually teach me a things or two.