"According to Webster, design is "a plan or protocol for carrying out or accomplishing something." A WebQuest design task requires learners to create a product or plan of action that accomplishes a pre-determined goal and works within specified constraints." [1]
Tips for Design Tasks
"The key element in a design task is to build in authentic constraints. Asking students to design an ideal X without also requiring them to work within a budget and within a body of legal and other restrictions doesn't really teach much. In fact, an unconstrained design task teaches an illusory "anything goes" attitude that doesn't map well onto the real world.
"A well crafted design task:
describes a product that is genuinely needed somewhere by someone;
describes resource and other constraints that are not unlike those faced by real designers of such products;
leaves room for and encourages creativity within those constraints." [1]
when designing a task, one should remember to keep it well organized, so it is easy to understand what exactly the task is.
the task should have enough elements that the student has plenty of information to work with.
Examples of a WebQuest in Which Participants Take on the Role of Being a Designer
Planning a Garden Webquest
This WebQuest takes information the students have already covered (in this case, the study of plants) to design a functioning garden for the school. They need to submit different sections as proposals, and need to take into consideration design, function, cost, and care after school and during summers. Very interesting.
A Quest for Peace in the Middle East
This WebQuest asks the students to assume roles of leaders of both Israel and Palestine. Using their knowledge according to their newly assumed position, the students are to prepare a speech on peace to give at the Peace Summit. They must come up with a resolution that benefits all parties and present that plan at this meeting. I really liked this task (even though it could have been played up a little more) because it has a good lay out. The students goals are clear and although they have limitations, they have plenty of opportunity to think outside the box.
The Crossroads of Our Being
This WebQuest instructs students to research and design a Civil War memorial that encapsulates a major theme in the War as well as finding a common ground between the North and the South.
Trilingual Packaging Dilemma
This WebQuest requires students to use research about marketing techniques and knowledge of different types of triangles to build a packaging box for the new geometry game, Trilingual. This is a good example of design, as the students are limited in the kinds of materials and shapes they can use, but must still create an appealing project that is feasible in the market.
Coquinaria Romana
This WebQuest requires students to be creative in designing menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, they must first do research on different Roman customs and recipes to come up with the best meal plan. Great example of an awesome process. This is also a good example of a design WebQuest.
Using Area and Perimeter to Design a Fun House
This WebQuest gives students the opportunity to learn about perimeter and area, while creating a floor plan of a fun house. They have a chance to practice area and perimeter concepts on the computer, measurement at home, and drawing and creating to apply the knowledge they have learned. They have a checklist to follow so they can self-assess before turning it in.
Definition of a Design Task
"According to Webster, design is "a plan or protocol for carrying out or accomplishing something." A WebQuest design task requires learners to create a product or plan of action that accomplishes a pre-determined goal and works within specified constraints." [1]Tips for Design Tasks
"The key element in a design task is to build in authentic constraints. Asking students to design an ideal X without also requiring them to work within a budget and within a body of legal and other restrictions doesn't really teach much. In fact, an unconstrained design task teaches an illusory "anything goes" attitude that doesn't map well onto the real world."A well crafted design task:
Reference
[1] http://webquest.sdsu.edu/taskonomy.html
Examples of a WebQuest in Which Participants Take on the Role of Being a Designer
Planning a Garden Webquest
This WebQuest takes information the students have already covered (in this case, the study of plants) to design a functioning garden for the school. They need to submit different sections as proposals, and need to take into consideration design, function, cost, and care after school and during summers. Very interesting.
A Quest for Peace in the Middle East
This WebQuest asks the students to assume roles of leaders of both Israel and Palestine. Using their knowledge according to their newly assumed position, the students are to prepare a speech on peace to give at the Peace Summit. They must come up with a resolution that benefits all parties and present that plan at this meeting. I really liked this task (even though it could have been played up a little more) because it has a good lay out. The students goals are clear and although they have limitations, they have plenty of opportunity to think outside the box.
The Crossroads of Our Being
This WebQuest instructs students to research and design a Civil War memorial that encapsulates a major theme in the War as well as finding a common ground between the North and the South.
Trilingual Packaging Dilemma
This WebQuest requires students to use research about marketing techniques and knowledge of different types of triangles to build a packaging box for the new geometry game, Trilingual. This is a good example of design, as the students are limited in the kinds of materials and shapes they can use, but must still create an appealing project that is feasible in the market.
Coquinaria Romana
This WebQuest requires students to be creative in designing menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, they must first do research on different Roman customs and recipes to come up with the best meal plan. Great example of an awesome process. This is also a good example of a design WebQuest.
Using Area and Perimeter to Design a Fun House
This WebQuest gives students the opportunity to learn about perimeter and area, while creating a floor plan of a fun house. They have a chance to practice area and perimeter concepts on the computer, measurement at home, and drawing and creating to apply the knowledge they have learned. They have a checklist to follow so they can self-assess before turning it in.