The role of WebQuests in learning a foreign/second language

It’s interesting to me in this course exactly how much it takes me deeper in learning technology than I've ever been before. In addition, the most important advantage in learning technology is more obvious in TEL class that will help me as a future EFL teacher to facilitate my students learning process. One of the most benficial tool in learning English as a foreign /second language is a WebQuest.

Bernie Dodge, of San Diego State University, was the original creator of the webquest concept. He defines it quite adequately as an "inquiry oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the internet, optionally supplemented with videoconferencing."

To define it simply, in webquests teachers can design a small quest and ask their students to solve the activities of a particular webquest by searching on the World Wide Web.  

Webquest is clearly structured into 5 components, which include an introduction (why do this activity), tasks (what is supposed to be accomplished), process (how to go about it), evaluative, and conclusion.

The role of the teachers is basically in webquest represented in two ways either the teacher can choose a ready-made webquest for the students or design a new webquest for them. In this course as a future teacher of EFL we create and design a webquest by using “Zunal.com”. It was an organized and beneficial website that I saw ever and I will use it with my students if possible. As a teacher I can decide how much information I want my student to learn by providing this information in my webquest. Also, I can decide how much information I will let my students to search about and find it by their own.

The role of the students in webquest:

The webquest is basically for the students in order to lead them to an effective learning and facilitate their learning process. So, they suppose to do most of their works in webquest by their own such as accomplish various activities and tasks. Moreover, Students learning process will be developed. For example, in webquest students have been exposed to many instances of authentic language which enable them to learn it unconsciously.

Webquest has a major role in many important areas in TEFL/TESL field like activating critical thinking, student-oriented activities, class environment, cooperative and collaborative learning and Project-based learning. It enhances the students’ critical thinking because students have to gather information, analyze and solve/ ask various questions and summarize some other questions/ information. This will help students to become independent learners.

Webquests tend to be student-oriented and collaborative:

In webquest students will be working in groups as a team work in most cases. Also, they will collaborate with each other in solving the activities and to accomplish the tasks. It also enhances a high level of critical thinking of the students while they are searching about useful information.

Most of webquest tasks could be used in a task-based or "project-based" language learning approach to teaching. Students can benefit from these tasks while accomplish their tasks which relevant to their own lives. Also, project-based learning (PBL) can give a variety of learning styles and multiple forms of intelligence have a real world authentic orientation.

As a future EFL teacher, I would like to use a webquest if it’s suitable to my students learning process and there will be no objections from the administration of the school and my students. Also, I will take into account my students’ satisfaction and enjoyment in using it. Otherwise, I will not use it if my students do not find it helpful and enjoyable for them. Also, if the administration of the school does not allow me to use it or does not provide an internet connection within classroom.

How can my students learn from a webquest if they do not accept it or refuse it?
 So, it depends on these circumstances or factors if it’s allow me to use a webquest with my students or not.