Finding a Web Quest

Web Quest

As I will be teaching Business Education in the Fall I chose to research web quest that focused on business content. The Web Quest that I found is called Spring Break. This is a scenario in which students have a given amount of money and the must plan out their spring break vacation to anywhere in the world. Many links are provided to direct students in the correct directions for obtaining this information. I really liked this web quest because it teaches students about how to create a budget and use that budget wisely. Too many of our students do not understand the value of money because they just swipe a card. I believe this web quest could help students be able to manage their money better. This web quest focuses on Business (budgeting), Math (calculating numbers), and life skills (managing personal money).

Evaluation of Web Quest

Visual Appeal - The web quest is OK, but could use some more graphics and visual aids to grasp the students attention better.

Navigation and Flow - The navigation is easy to follow from the navigation bar located to the left hand side of the site. The process moves through an organized format in a number sequence. The flow is very easy to follow. As well there is not to much text to confuse the student.

Motivational Effectiveness of Introduction - This web quest is very based/created around the interests of students. Students are getting to plan their OWN spring break trip. They have room for choice and creativity in this web quest!

Cognitive Effectiveness of the Introduction - The introduction could provided more information about budgets, to provide more background information.

Connection to Standards - The standards are listed and the skills learned through the web quest are explained, however the standards are not directly connected to the process of the web quest.

Cognitive Level of the Task - The task is accomplishable and able to do with the provided resources. It is also engaging and interesting for the students.

Clarity of Process - All of the steps are clearly stated and provided with a link.

Scaffolding of Process - This is excellent each step builds on the first.

Richness of Process - No different roles are assigned.

Relevance and Quantity of Resources - There are not to many but enough resources to aid the students through the process.

Quality of Resources - Links are good for content and all links appear to work correctly.

Clarity of Evaluation Criteria - There is a rubric provided for the entire completion of the project and it is well explained.

Ideas for Modification of Web Quest

I would like to begin by changing the appearance of the Web Quest. I feel that the color scheme is to dark - we are talking about spring break this means that warm colors need to be used. By using the correct color scheme I will be able to get the students in the mood for spring break. I would also like to add additional images and graphics to make the visual appeal greater. If you have to much text on a page the students' minds will begin to wander. I really liked the links that the creator included, however I might add a few extra links and change the link name from "click here" to more descriptive names. I think it is also important for students to understand how these website are being found for future reference. As far as the final projects for the students I think I would use other forms of technology. I would like to use gloster for the student to create a visual aid about the place the are going to visit possibly to make their itinerary this way and then to create a PhotoStory- instead of the PowerPoint to show the place they will be visiting. I might even have the students pull the highlights of their trip and create a voki. I would like to then take the classes ideas together and do a class project of creating a magazine called spring break - in which the students place all of their trips as a collection, for this part I would use OpenZine.