“Task-based WebQuests in ESOL curriculum”

What is a WebQuest?

  • A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity where students are given a task, usually in question form, and a process that outlines specific requirements necessary to complete the task. (Dodge, 1995)
  • A unique characteristic of WebQuests is that information required to complete the task can be found on-line through specific links. These links can be selected based on the specific course goals and students’ skill levels.

Task-based WebQuests in ESOL curriculum

This introduction to WebQuests will focus on:

  • Critical attributes of a WebQuest (Dodge, 1995).
  • WebQuest Taskonomy (Dodge, 1995).
  • Types of “final products” ESL students can complete at the end of their WebQuests.
  • Non-critical attributes and primary-thinking skills developed through WebQuests (Dodge, 1995).
  • Integrating WebQuests into Academic ESL skill areas, American Culture and ESP curriculum.
  • Online resources for locating and creating WebQuests.

What are the parts or “critical attributes” of a WebQuest?

WebQuests consist of six parts:

  1. The introduction provides a brief idea of the subject.

2. The task is the single most important part of a WebQuest. It provides a goal and a focus for student energies and makes concrete the curricular intentions of the designer. A well-designed task is doable, engaging and elicits thinking in learners that goes beyond rote comprehension. (Dodge, 1995)

Tasks outlined in the WebQuest Taskonomy (Dodge, 1995):

  • Retelling Tasks
  • Compilation Tasks
  • Mystery Tasks
  • Journalistic Tasks
  • Design Tasks
  • Creative Product Tasks
  • ConsensusBuilding Tasks
  • Persuasion Tasks
  • Self-Knowledge Tasks
  • Analytical Tasks
  • Judgment Tasks
  • Scientific Tasks

Examples of each of these tasks in a variety of WebQuests can be found at

3. Resources are links that have information necessary to complete the task. This is the most difficult part of using WebQuests in ESL since students’ background schema, reading level and comprehension level must all be carefully considered when choosing links to other parts of the Internet. The resources are now the first portion of the process on The Quest Garden where we will be building our WebQuests.

4. The process outlines the necessary steps the student must take to complete the task, as well as clearly defines the final product the students must create for completion of the WebQuest.

Ideas for final products when using WebQuests in ESOL classes include:

  • Culture Fair
  • Oral Report
  • Written Report
  • PowerPoint presentation
  • Visual Project
  • Web Product
  1. The evaluation gives clear and specific assessment guidelines.
  1. The conclusion is a short statement to finalize the lesson or to recommend other areas for further exploration.

Non-critical attributes include:

  • Use as pair or group activities.
  • Use as role-plays by assigning each student a role with specific links to access information.
  • Distinguish WebQuests as single discipline or interdisciplinary. When used in ESL to introduce a specific topic WebQuests can be seen as single discipline. However, they may also be considered interdisciplinary since several skill areas are focused on during completion. These skill areas are relevant when determining in which courses to use WebQuests.
  • Embedded handouts throughout the WebQuest to ensure that ESOL students comprehend the task, the process, the final product and the reading required on the web sites.

Types of primary thinking skills developed through WebQuests include:

  • comparison
  • classification
  • induction
  • deduction
  • error analysis
  • constructing support
  • abstraction
  • perspective analysis

Integrating WebQuests into ESOL skill areas

Academic, skill based ESOL

  • Reading

All WebQuests require reading but are dependent on level appropriate links for success.

  • Writing

Writing can be emphasized or de-emphasized during the process section of a WebQuest.

  • Listening

There are WebQuests in regular education that include listening components. Currently, they are short stories designed for K-3rd grade, but stay tuned!

  • Speaking

Speaking tasks are best accomplished by assigning students to complete WebQuests in pairs or groups. With a well-defined task, students will need to work together for its completion and to transform the steps in the process into a final project.

  • Grammar

WebQuests utilize the “no grammar” approach by giving students tasks that require they use grammar skills to complete the WebQuest without focusing on the rules of grammar.

American Culture

  • WebQuests are amazing tools for integrating American Culture into ESOL curriculum. The WebQuests that this site was built around: Mission:Possible, On the Road Again and The AmericanUniversity-Here I come! Are all examples.
  • WebQuests provide an excellent way for students to examine content specific areas, individually or in groups, particularly if listening or speaking are goals in the class being taught.

English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

  • WebQuests can be very useful tools in K-12 and adult ESL curriculum when trying to introduce students to single discipline vocabulary and materials.
  • Anything from English composition to Sociology can be introduced and adapted to ESL through fun and engaging WebQuests.

Online Resources for locating and creating WebQuests:

  • Bernie Dodge’s WebQuest site has all the resources you need to develop WebQuests. It includes the WebQuest taskonomy, the brand new WebQuestGarden tool and resources on finding sites. It also includes several actual WebQuests for your viewing and teaching pleasure. Excellent site!
  • Tom March also has a site that is helpful for developing ideas and tasks for WebQuests.
  • Fill-in-the-blank interactive Web Site will help you develop ideas for WebQuests.
  • Top 20 ESL/EFL Web Sites

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