Using WebQuests to Support the Development of Digital Literacy and Other Essential Skills at the K-12 Level

Abstract

This chapter introduces the WebQuest as one means of addressing effective technology use for developing digital literacy skills at the K-12 education levels. It argues that technology use that promotes constructivist learning principles has been found to have the greatest effect on learning. Furthermore, the WebQuest and its extension, the Web Inquiry Project, exemplify strategies that promote constructivist learning principles when they are designed to encourage student-directed learning, problem solving, higher-level thinking, perspective taking, real-world authentic issues, and collaboration. The author hopes that by providing specific examples of each of these strategies, readers will be better able to envision effective, constructivist-based technology use for their classrooms.