Using WebQuests in the Social Studies Classroom

Margaret Thombs is an associate professor of education specializing in instructional technology at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. She has taught secondary mathematics and computer science and was formerly the director of technology for the Middletown, Rhode Island Public Schools. Her areas of expertise include facilitating English as a Second Language skills using technology and technology-enabled family and local history research. She is a frequent presenter at national and regional technology and education conferences, and has authored a number of articles on technology integration in the classroom. She earned her PhD in computing technology in education from Nova Southeastern University. Maureen Gillis is the owner of an Internet-based business and the coordinating editor for Spalding University’s manuscript review program for MFA alumni in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to becoming a writer and Internet entrepreneur, she was a CPA and business executive and taught in the MBA program at the University of Hartford. She serves as the writing coach for the management team of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Gillis earned her MFA in writing from Spalding University and has taught in that program. Alan CanestrariAlan S. Canestrari, Ed.D, Boston University, a veteran social studies practitioner and Professor of Education at Roger Williams University, is co-editor (with Bruce Marlowe) of Educational Foundations: An Anthology of Critical Readings (Sage) and Educational Psychology in Context: Readings for Future Teachers (Sage). Educational Foundations was awarded the 2005 American Educational Studies Association Critics Choice Award. Canestrari had a long career in public schools and universities as a history teacher, department chair, adjunct professor at Rhode Island College, and mentor in the Brown University Masters of Teaching Program. He was the RI Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 1992.

"Founded on a well-established educational rationale, this book takes the critical and challenging step of helping teachers integrate culturally responsive education into their own practice. By using real student stories, the authors spin an engaging narrative that informs and entertains."

• PrefaceWhy This Book?Real Voices... Typical Classroom ChallengesPractical, Usable Curriculum ContentAcknowledgmentsAbout the Authors1. The Challenge of Culturally Responsive TeachingMeet Harrison SongoloThe Need for a Culturally Responsive ContextThe Larger NarrativePowerful Social Studies... Powerful CitizensImaginative EntryThe Quest for Connections2. The Technologically Competent Social Studies TeacherThe NETS ProjectEssential Conditions for Successful Technology IntegrationTechnology ResourcesSpecial Considerations for Classroom TechnologyWeb Site AccessibilityAssistive TechnologyLegal ImplicationsOnline Technology Resources3. The WebQuest ModelBackground and HistoryWhy Use the WebQuest Model?Example WebQuest No. 1: Exploring Socio-Economic ConditionsOne Zambia, One Nation?4. Designing WebQuestsCore Components of a WebQuestIntroductionTaskProcessEvaluationOther Components of the ModelDesign ProcessSelecting a Primary Design ToolQuestGardenAssessing WebQuestsOnline Resources5. Getting Started: Learners, Topics, and Design PatternsGetting StartedAnita’s ClassroomMeet Happy-Hardy GuinguingBrainstorming WebQuest IdeasGeneral Social StudiesOnline Resources: Social Studies TopicsCulturally Responsive TopicsOnline Resources: Cultural SensitivityAnita’s Challenge: Teaching World ReligionsDesign PatternsExample WebQuest No. 2: World Religions and ConflictsReligious Conflict: Is an End in Sight?6. Authentic and Engaging TasksMeet Juan Pablo EscorizaPosing Authentic Problems to Challenge Thinking SkillsBrainstorming WebQuest TasksExercises: Tasks From Example WebQuests in Previous ChaptersChart of Possible TasksOnline ResourcesExample WebQuest No. 3: Immigration: Past, Present, and FutureLights, Camera, Action! An Immigration Perspective7. Evaluation RubricsMeet Vladimir Emilov EvtimovUsing RubricsOnline ToolsHow Many Rubrics?Rubric Dimensions and ScaleExercises: Evaluation Rubrics From Example WebQuestsOnline ResourcesExample WebQuest No. 4: Effective Use of Maps and Geographic ToolsCalling All Cartographers!8. The WebQuest Process: How, What, and WhenMeet Haseena NiaziTeams and RolesExercises: Teams and Roles From Example WebQuestsChoosing Appropriate ResourcesInternet ResourcesSearch EnginesSelecting Web SitesSocial Studies LinksAccessibility IssuesCopyright, Fair Use, and Citation of SourcesOther ResourcesExercises: Resources From Example WebQuestsOnline ResourcesExample WebQuest No. 5: Voting Rights and ResponsibilitiesLet Our Voices Be Heard!9. Finalizing Your WebQuest DesignMeet Poroma KanyaWebQuest IntroductionsWebQuest ConclusionsUsing Images and Other ToolsTeacher Page and CreditsAssessing Your WebQuestTom March’s Seven Points for a Great WebQuest10. The Challenge Ahead: A Quest for PeaceHumanistic EducationChoices for the 21st-Century Education ProgramA Workable PeaceFreedom WritersA Final QuestKeeping the Quest AliveOther ResourcesA. Ten Thematic Strands in Social StudiesB. National Education Technology Standards for StudentsC. Sites for Selecting Specialized ResourcesD. Standards Associated With Example WebQuestsReferencesSuggested Readings: Cultural Responsiveness in the ClassroomIndex