WebQuests in Social Studies Education
Pradeep R. Vanguri
Cynthia Szymanski Sunal
Elizabeth K. Wilson
Vivian H. Wright
The University of Alabama
Abstract
WebQuests provide the opportunity to combine technology with educational concepts and to incorporate inquiry-based learning. WebQuests also have the ability to integrate on-line resources with student-centered, activity-based learning. Three courses in the College of Education at The University of Alabama and at West Virginia University incorporate WebQuests projects, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students develop an online WebQuest and submit a paper copy and/or a URL to their instructor upon completion of the course. During an academic year, three professors in social studies graduate education received over 50 submissions of WebQuests projects from pre-service and in-service teachers enrolled in three courses. The grading rubric was developed by Bernie Dodge, the creator of WebQuests, but modified at The University of Alabama yielding a high rate of reliability (93.3%). This project assessed scores of WebQuests using this grading rubric in three separate classrooms. Comparisons between elementary and secondary level students, Filamentality users, and certified and non-certified teachers were analyzed for significance. The students had already received a grade for their projects through the academic class, but a separate grading system was developed to evaluate these projects and to provide insight into future research using WebQuests.
About the Author(s)...
Pradeep Vanguri is a Doctoral Student of Instructional Technology at The University of Alabama. His research interests include faculty development and pedagogy with technology. He is currently working on his dissertation and may be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Cynthia Szymanski Sunal if Professor of Elementary Education Programs at The University of Alabama. Her research interests are in social studies education and interactive online learning. She has authored 9 books in addition to numerous refereed journal articles and chapters. She may be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Elizabeth K. Wilson is a Professor in the Department of Secondary, Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at The University of Alabama. Her research interests include social studies education, technology integration, and content literacy. She may be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Vivian H. Wright is an Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology at The University of Alabama. She works with teacher educators on innovative ways to infuse technology in the curriculum to enhance teaching and learning and has helped initiate and develop projects such as Electronic Portfolios for the Preservice Teacher, Master Technology Teacher, and Technology on Wheels. Dr. Wright can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
