With the development of technology we got an opportunity to use computers and Internet while teaching English. Of course it provides great benefits both for teachers and pupils. But unfortunately many teachers don't understand how to involve Internet in the studying process or just don't want to do it because they are already used to their textbooks. So, I've chosen this very topic in order to tell you why webquests are worth to be used in language teaching.
A Webquest is a mini-project using authentic language and carefully staged steps, which, as learners work through them, reach pre-set goals and work towards the production of original output, which is finally cemented of a presentation of some kind. There are four main components of a well-built webquest:
- introduction. It engages learners in the overall theme of the project, gives background information and key vocabulary.
- task. This section explains precisely what the learners have to do as they proceed through the project. The task should be highly motivating and interesting for learners.
- process. This stage guides the learners through a set of tasks. When the learners perform them, they receive one or several products which will be represented at the end.
- evaluation. It involves both self-evaluation and teacher evaluation. It rounds out the project and allows for feedback on both language performance and language learning based outcomes.
To my mind, the main goal of such a project is language acquisition. Such projects help pupils to feel independence in their studying even if they work in groups. They also develop learners' critical thinking skills as pupils have not only to receive and learn information but also to transform it and pick out the most important things. Pupils are involved in practising collaborative oral skills as they negotiate their way through the various tasks with their classmates. Webquest developes higher-level skills in the language and it is very helpful for those who want to study or work abroad.
For us, as future teachers, it is very important to know what part we should take in this project, what role we should play. To my mind we should just push them a bit to the goal but not take everything under our control. Otherwise we may lose one of the main points of this task - to let pupils feel self-confidence and autonomy in their actions. As a result they can lose motivation.
To sum up we can say that webquests are motivating, fun, reflect real-world roles and tasks, invite collaboration, promote and exercise ‘higher-level’ thinking process and practice skills inherent to any language learning project, such as reading for main ideas and detail, negotiating meaning through spoken and written communication, incorporate listening skills, peer teaching and interaction. Students are involved in creating and producing something of their own, with peer and teacher support and not only receive valuable feedback from their teacher, but are involved in reflecting on their work and engage in self-evaluation as well.