The Quest for the Perfect Quest

So, as diligent educational technology students, we are currently embarking on an intensive journey into developing WebQuests of our own design. I'm sure that the intention is to have this activity be profitable in our future careers.

So, it seems ideal that a WebQuest could be partnered with another intensive assessment in my classroom; and that is what I shall attempt to do. A fairly intensive, large-scale assessment which I have planned for a unit has to do with cultural conflict, and a WebQuest might be an excellent way for students to research their topics in a monitored, organized way.

THE TASK

It's 4 a.m. in the morning. Suddenly, as you are happily sleeping, your cell phone starts vibrating. You try to ignore it. But whoever it is keeps calling and calling and calling. Slightly annoyed, you answer the call.

On the other end of the line is a deep voice. The man tells you that you have been selected for a secret meeting of international experts, and that you need to get on a plane to Switzerland in the next two hours.

He tells you that you have been selected because of your expertise in cultural conflict. You have studied specific conflicts thoroughly and you have information that could help save lives and repair relationships between groups.

You accept the challenge.

Once you arrive in Switzerland, you will prepare a speech to deliver to an international council. The council is interested in finding solutions for some significant and problematic cultural conflicts, and they want your help.

Your speech will combine information about a particular conflict; you must give the history of the conflict and describe major events and groups involved in the conflict, as well as inform the council as to what solutions might be best for the conflict.

You are an expert. Now, surf the web for information and CHANGE THE WORLD!