Using WebQuests in the Social Studies Classroom: A Culturally Responsive Approach

by Margaret M. Thombs, Maureen M. Gillis, Alan S. Canestrari

Overview

"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 both informs and entertains."
—Tom March, Codeveloper
WebQuest

Foster student inquiry and higher-level thinking with this powerful Web-based model!

Today′s educators face the challenges of making content engaging and relevant for students from diverse backgrounds and incorporating technology in the classroom. Designed to optimize content learning and promote greater intercultural understanding, Using WebQuests in the Social Studies Classroom shows how educators can make social studies personal and real while nurturing globally minded students.

This unique guide presents practical strategies for using WebQuests: inquiry-oriented, collaborative student activities that use Web-based information for solving problems through focused analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Aligned with the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) standards, the American Historical Association criteria for Excellent Classroom Teaching, and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards, this comprehensive resource includes:

• Real stories portraying culturally diverse classrooms
• Comprehensive examples of culturally responsive WebQuests
• Guidelines, tips, and step-by-step instructions for developing WebQuests

Reflective exercises throughout make this guide an ideal professional development resource for teachers interested in learning more about culturally responsive social studies and technologically enhanced instruction.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452261195
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	06/12/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	152
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

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 Canestrari
Alan 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.

Table of Contents

Preface
Why This Book?
Real Voices... Typical Classroom Challenges
Practical, Usable Curriculum Content
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. The Challenge of Culturally Responsive Teaching
Meet Harrison Songolo
The Need for a Culturally Responsive Context
The Larger Narrative
Powerful Social Studies... Powerful Citizens
Imaginative Entry
The Quest for Connections
2. The Technologically Competent Social Studies Teacher
The NETS Project
Essential Conditions for Successful Technology Integration
Technology Resources
Special Considerations for Classroom Technology
Web Site Accessibility
Assistive Technology
Legal Implications
Online Technology Resources
3. The WebQuest Model
Background and History
Why Use the WebQuest Model?
Example WebQuest No. 1: Exploring Socio-Economic Conditions
One Zambia, One Nation?
4. Designing WebQuests
Core Components of a WebQuest
Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Other Components of the Model
Design Process
Selecting a Primary Design Tool
QuestGarden
Assessing WebQuests
Online Resources
5. Getting Started: Learners, Topics, and Design Patterns
Getting Started
Anita’s Classroom
Meet Happy-Hardy Guinguing
Brainstorming WebQuest Ideas
General Social Studies
Online Resources: Social Studies Topics
Culturally Responsive Topics
Online Resources: Cultural Sensitivity
Anita’s Challenge: Teaching World Religions
Design Patterns
Example WebQuest No. 2: World Religions and Conflicts
Religious Conflict: Is an End in Sight?
6. Authentic and Engaging Tasks
Meet Juan Pablo Escoriza
Posing Authentic Problems to Challenge Thinking Skills
Brainstorming WebQuest Tasks
Exercises: Tasks From Example WebQuests in Previous Chapters
Chart of Possible Tasks
Online Resources
Example WebQuest No. 3: Immigration: Past, Present, and Future
Lights, Camera, Action! An Immigration Perspective
7. Evaluation Rubrics
Meet Vladimir Emilov Evtimov
Using Rubrics
Online Tools
How Many Rubrics?
Rubric Dimensions and Scale
Exercises: Evaluation Rubrics From Example WebQuests
Online Resources
Example WebQuest No. 4: Effective Use of Maps and Geographic Tools
Calling All Cartographers!
8. The WebQuest Process: How, What, and When
Meet Haseena Niazi
Teams and Roles
Exercises: Teams and Roles From Example WebQuests
Choosing Appropriate Resources
Internet Resources
Search Engines
Selecting Web Sites
Social Studies Links
Accessibility Issues
Copyright, Fair Use, and Citation of Sources
Other Resources
Exercises: Resources From Example WebQuests
Online Resources
Example WebQuest No. 5: Voting Rights and Responsibilities
Let Our Voices Be Heard!
9. Finalizing Your WebQuest Design
Meet Poroma Kanya
WebQuest Introductions
WebQuest Conclusions
Using Images and Other Tools
Teacher Page and Credits
Assessing Your WebQuest
Tom March’s Seven Points for a Great WebQuest
10. The Challenge Ahead: A Quest for Peace
Humanistic Education
Choices for the 21st-Century Education Program
A Workable Peace
Freedom Writers
A Final Quest
Keeping the Quest Alive
Other Resources
A. Ten Thematic Strands in Social Studies
B. National Education Technology Standards for Students
C. Sites for Selecting Specialized Resources
D. Standards Associated With Example WebQuests
References
Suggested Readings: Cultural Responsiveness in the Classroom
Index

Editorial Reviews

"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. "

Tom March

"Shows teachers how to create quality Web Quests using constructivist principles while also encouraging teacher reflection. The book has inspired me in my efforts to make my teaching responsive to students’ needs and the real-world requirements of our education system. "

Greg Oppel

"Offers endless resources for the novice or experienced teacher. In a culturally diverse classroom, Web Quests provide students with an opportunity to showcase their cultures and take pride in their learning. While the text is geared to the social studies teacher, the steps of the Web Quest are explained so that any teacher in any discipline may develop and utilize this resource in their curriculum. "

Luis M. Oliveira