Language Quest:
a special form of a WebQuest
Case type
The extension of the
classroom through web literacy and platform thinking.
Target group
Teachers and learners of
VOLL (and other fields of language learning)
Rationale
& purpose
Designing and implementing
web-based ‘think-quests’ for modern language learning, based upon the
principles of problem-based language learning and the general principles
of designing WebQuests, as developed by Bernie Dodge.
Pedagogic/didactic
approach
The principles of a WebQuest
were developed by Bernie Dodge. Visit his website to learn more about the
didactic backgrounds of a WebQuest.
You will also find some
interesting WebQuests for modern languages.
In the Dutch project ‘Talenquest’
we also
worked on the development of principles and guidelines to design a good
LanguageQuest. Under the link ‘Docenten’
you will find all of the didactic background information in Dutch.
Unfortunately there is no translation in English. Therefore we will
provide you here with a translation of the most important part: the criteria
for a good LanguageQuest.
Bernard
Moro's approach to web contents —although
he did not realize it when he implemented it—
is very close to the concept of webquest. See the examples
his trainees have come up with under his guidance.
ICT used
You need a PC and an
internet browser to use a LanguageQuest. You need a web-tool to design
one. And last but not least you need a platform to publish your
LanguageQuest. This platform can be the WorldWideWeb, the intranet of the
school or a digital learning environment like BlackBoard
(http://www.blackboard.com) or WebCT
(http://www.webct.com).
Description
of case
Several organizations and
teachers in the Netherlands work together on the development of WebQuests
that are specifically designed for language learning. Therefore these
WebQuests are called LanguageQuests (in Dutch: ‘TalenQuests’).
Together they developed a website where these LanguageQuests can be
published and used. You can visit this site on www.talenquest.nl
. Have a look and feel free to try out one of these LanguageQuests with
your students, for example Elektroquest
(English for electronics and information technology).
Another aim of the project
was the development of a set of criteria for selecting a good
LanguageQuest and guidelines for developing a good LanguageQuest.
Other interesting sites
about WebQuests for language teaching and learning
What is a LanguageQuest?
A LanguageQuest is a
WebQuest for the learning of modern languages. WebQuests are on-line
activities where students have to search for information on the internet.
They are not supposed to do this by just surfing the internet but they are
being directed by a very specifically structured task. A WebQuest can be
very short and be completed within one lesson or hour, but can also be
more elaborate and take a longer period of time to complete. A WebQuest
can be place anywhere on the internet.
Criteria for a
good LanguageQuest
Three sets of criteria are
important for LanguageQuests:
- the
crucial elements that are prescribed by Bernie Dodge for a good
WebQuest. You can find them at http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/edtec596/about_webquests.html
- a
set of criteria that are formulated from the views of communicative
modern language teaching. You will find these criteria under Set
of extra criteria for WebQuests for language learning
(LanguageQuests).
- a
set of criteria that cleary mark the difference between a ‘mini-course’
with the use of internet and a real LanguageQuest.
Set of extra
criteria for WebQuests for language learning (LanguageQuests).
- The
task should encourage the use of the target language as instruction
language and language in use for the duration of the task and for the
end products of the LanguageQuest.
- The
material presented in the LanguageQuest should be authentic. The tasks
within the LanguageQuest should be functional and realistic.
- The
task should be learner-oriented and should therefore be attractive and
related to the learner’s reality.
- Students
can work on the task in a flexible way. The task offers different
routes, media, procedures and ways of collaborating.
- The
task should encourage students to exchange information and expertise,
preferably in the target language.
