It's All Greek to Me!

As part of our latest blog posting, we were required to check up on a Webquest of our choice and give it a look-over... all to benefit us when it comes to making our own Webquests.

The Webquest I investigated dealt with Ancient Greece- specifically, however, in developing an understanding both of this era's lifestyles and of their opinions on "what makes a good person." Check it out at: http://www.iwebquest.com/greece/greece.htm.

Overall, I can't really say much bad about this Webquest... but I will mention some key problems with its functionality. For one, the writer of the Webquest has a definite problem with grammar. Although that is not the end of the world, it is quite an annoyance- and it is, of course, vital to make sure your Webquest is not only usable, but readable and professional!

Also, a HUGE problem that I encountered is that a good number of links were not operative any longer. And, there was one specific page that pulled up as an "error"- but once the kids navigated away from it, they were still able to find information. These links problems are absolutely problematic (duh!) for a Webquest's success. My advice- make sure those pages you are using are not going anywhere!

A less serious comment is that not only did a good number of the links fail, but other links just pulled up the page for the students to use. Of course, as we have learned in class, it would be more of a "quest" if the students had to click-click before locating the information.

However, enough with the bad. How about some positives of this Webquest? For one, the author did provide a bazillion websites and books for the children to use. (Admittedly, I did come across the same failed webpages numerous times, hinting that different links led to the same page or general website... but, there isn't much wrong with including various links to one website, if the author finds it useful.) In fact, one link had an extensive list of books that the children might want to investigate!

Also, in each step of the project, the author had essential questions for the students, as well as questions asking them for input on the project. For instance, sometimes the author asked the students to email their responses!

Also, the tasks went from exploratory types to (gasp! every teacher get excited!) application types! Isn't application the end all and be all of education?? Students used the website to develop ideas, and then they had to be the authors of their own myths! What's more, after the myths were created, the students would have to perform them!

And I must give a HUGE SHOUT-OUT to the author for one outstanding quality of the Webquest; the fact that there were links included to help the students write and perform their myths! I think it's absolutely genius that the author decided those links would be helpful for his students! Congrats, author, on thinking outside the box!

All in all... good job! The author used the Webquest both for data collection and for student reference!

As a final note, the author used Ancient Greece in an unique way- having to do with character traits. However, any teacher could use myths/heroes in a variety of interesting ways; such subjects definitely have potential for exciting students!