Using Webquests
A webquest is a form of inquiry-based learning.  Webquests are becoming more and more popular in the classroom, because they allow for student learning and growth while giving them boundaries to work within while using the internet.  Webquests allow for the internet to be used in safe and timely way, because information is being drawn from previously chosen sources instead of an infinite amount of sites.
The following websites have been chosen and reviewed for relevant information.  There are many examples that can be used for inspiration or in a classroom.   

http://webquest.sdsu.edu/
This website has been designed by Bernie Dodge at the University of San Diego to assist in the use of webquests.  There are posts, forums, and articles about webquests, how they have been used and how they are growing around the world.  It provides you with examples of how you can incorporate webquests into your classroom and training opportunities for using and creating various types of webquests.
This website is very beneficial in assisting a teacher in using websites in their classroom.  It provides them with much of the information needed for a novice to learn how to use and create a webquest.
Points of Interest:
- Training Materials: In this section, there are many links that lead to other websites which provide information, or steps of creating a webquest for your classroom.  It also provides information on how to find quality websites to include in your webquest.  There are templates that can be used for creating a website.  It also provides the user with valuable information about what is to be included in a webquest.
- Examples: This section allows you to search by subject and grade level for webquests that can be used or viewed for inspiration.  
- QuestGarden: This section provides opportunities to quickly create high quality webquests.  They offer a 30 day trial period, or a subscription.

http://homepage.mac.com/erinkirby/Class/381/StudentWebquests/index.html
This website provides the user with many different webquests.  These are great resources for teachers.  There are many different grade levels and subjects met. 
Points of Interest:
- Sample Webquests: The webquests on this site were created by students in Junior Elementary Education Classes at Lees-McRae College in North Carolina. 

http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~tah03j/four.htm#Introduction
This is an example that demonstrates all of the attributes of a webquest.  It includes active buttons for the students to explore, a grading rubric, so they students know what is expected of them and a teacher’s page, to show what standards are being met by this webquest. 
Points of Interest:
- Sample Webquest: The webquest at this site is an excellent example of what a webquest should have included in it.  It gives the user the freedom of finding the information, but also gives them boundaries within which they can look, something that is very beneficial in an elementary classroom.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech011.shtml
This website provides necessary information to create a webquest.  It also gives reasons why webquests are beneficial and why they should be used.  Also, it provides all of the necessary components for creating and using a webquest.
Points of Interest:
- The Design Process: This section provides you with all of the necessary steps and information that should be included in your webquest.  It walks you through step by step what needs to be included to make a high quality webquest.
- Share It!: This section provides you with a link that will take you to a website that allows you to submit your webquest to be posted and shared with other educators.

http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/Constructing%20Your%20WebQuest.html
This website provides necessary information to create a webquest.  It also gives reasons why webquests are beneficial and why they should be used.  Also, it provides all of the necessary components for creating and using a webquest.
Points of Interest:
- Constructing Your Webquest: This website provides the designer with detailed step by step instructions of all of the things that need to be done in order to create a creative, successful webquest.  It gives information and links to show how to create links, pictures, etc. on your webquest.

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/sullivan/sullms/web_quests_new.htm
This website provides many links to other websites that will aid in the making of a webquest. 
Points of Interest:
- Rubrics: It provides information about using a rubric with your webquest.  It gives you many options of rubrics that could be used and provides you with information you may need to create your own

http://www.manteno.k12.il.us/webquest/elementary/elementary.htm
This website provides the user with a wide variety of webquests that have been
designed with the intentions of being used in an elementary classroom. 
Points of Interest:
- Interdisciplinary: Provides many links to webquests designed to reach many different subject areas.
- Language Arts: Provides links to webquests that have been designed to focus on language arts through various forms of literature.
- Science: Provides links to webquests for various grade levels on subjects pertaining to science and health.  
- Social Sciences: Provides links to webquests that were designed to focus on social sciences.

http://www.mtlakes.org/ww/tech/webtools/webq.htm
This website provides necessary information to create a webquest.  It also provides all of the necessary components for creating and using a webquest.
Also, it gives links to examples of what a quality and effective webquest should look like.
Points of Interest:
- How-to and Resource Pages: Provides links to various websites that can be used to help gain knowledge about how a webquest should be created to be effective in a classroom.
- Collections: Provides links to many various webquests that cover many different subjects and grade level.  These websites are very easy to navigate.
- Sample Subject Quests: Provides links to various webquests that have been created.  These webquests are organized by subject and grade level.

http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/WebQuests.html
This website is the website for Spartanburg County School District Three website.  On this website, there is an overview of webquests; what they are, why they should be used, why they are beneficial and how to make them.  There are also many webquests available to be looked at on this website.  These webquests were all created by teachers in this school district.
Points of Interest:
- Every webquest has a small description telling what it is about and what it is trying to accomplish.  This made it very simple to find what you were looking for on this website.

http://eduscapes.com/sessions/travel/k3webquests.htm
This website is very beneficial if you are looking for a webquest for a particular subject.  They are organized by subject and grade level so it is easy to find a webquest that is appropriate for you.