webquest-Willywonka

Website of the day: an interesting example of Webquest
                                   -- Willywonka navigation

What is this?
It is a great and motivating webquest for elementary students. It exemplifies what a normal webquest will cover: introduction, task, process, evaluation, conclusion. Besides, there are two versions of the webquest page. One is for students and the other is for teachers as a teachers' guide page.

Why is it good for language learning?

• The story of Willywonka is well-known. Additionally, the task itself is motivating and interesting for students since its is close to their real life. 
• The webquest combines various interesting activities in which students could foster their speaking, reading, writing, listening abilities. For example, students can have  role play, discussion and make posters.     
• The webquest requires students to work in groups, which makes a constructive  and collaborative learning environment.
• It saves teachers a lot of time. The teacher page contains all the information a teacher needs to know about how to use the webquest.

         

• The layout is well-organized and the instructions are clear and concise. Students can follow the instructions easily without teachers' detailed explanations.
• There is a icon linking to electronic Merriam -Webster dictionary whereby students can look up the words they don't understand easily.
• The webquest provides quotes and dialogues of the main characters in the story. Students can use their prior knowledge and practice their reading and speaking abilities.

   





one of the dialogues students can practice with their group members.


• There are no definite answers for the webquest, which enables students to design and present their own project creatively and freely.   
• Through doing the task, students can develop their language skills while reflecting on how to behave as a good friend and a good person as well.

Classroom use

• Teachers can have students read the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory before adapting this webquesst in the class. Alternatively, teachers can read the summary of the story, which is also provided on the website, and make sure all the students are able to identify the characteristics of the main characters.  
• Students are divided into small groups. Teachers explains to students what a webquest is and what they are going to do in the following sessions. Teachers can guide students to read some main points and inform students of how much time they have to do the task and the form of evaluation.  
• Students work in group, following the process given on the webpage and teachers walk around to make sure if every group follows the guidelines or has any problems. 
• Students present their ideas by posters. Both of  teachers and students give feedback in spoken and written form.   

Limitations

• There might be some moral and ethical issues about what counts as a good citizens and a good person. Teachers might have to be careful when making the conclusions.  
• The webquest is suitable only for those students who have read the novel and have basic understanding of the plots and characters.  
•  For those students who have reading difficulties, they might feel uncomfortable and anxious when they first have to read a short conversation by themselves in a short time before discussing with others.