Using WebQuests in the Social Studies Classroom: A Culturally Responsive Approach

"Founded on a well-established educational rationale, this book takes the critical and challenging step of helping teachers integrate culturally responsive education into their own practice. By using real student stories, the authors spin an engaging narrative that both informs and entertains." —Tom March, Codeveloper WebQuest Foster student inquiry and higher-level thinking with this powerful Web-based model! Today′s educators face the challenges of making content engaging and relevant for students from diverse backgrounds and incorporating technology in the classroom. Designed to optimize content learning and promote greater intercultural understanding, Using WebQuests in the Social Studies Classroom shows how educators can make social studies personal and real while nurturing globally minded students. This unique guide presents practical strategies for using WebQuests: inquiry-oriented, collaborative student activities that use Web-based information for solving problems through focused analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Aligned with the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) standards, the American Historical Association criteria for Excellent Classroom Teaching, and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards, this comprehensive resource includes: Real stories portraying culturally diverse classrooms Comprehensive examples of culturally responsive WebQuests Guidelines, tips, and step-by-step instructions for developing WebQuests Reflective exercises throughout make this guide an ideal professional development resource for teachers interested in learning more about culturally responsive social studies and technologically enhanced instruction.

Table of Contents:
Preface Why This Book? Real Voices... Typical Classroom Challenges Practical, Usable Curriculum Content Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. The Challenge of Culturally Responsive Teaching Meet Harrison Songolo The Need for a Culturally Responsive Context The Larger Narrative Powerful Social Studies... Powerful Citizens Imaginative Entry The Quest for Connections 2. The Technologically Competent Social Studies Teacher The NETS Project Essential Conditions for Successful Technology Integration Technology Resources Special Considerations for Classroom Technology Web Site Accessibility Assistive Technology Legal Implications Online Technology Resources 3. The WebQuest Model Background and History Why Use the WebQuest Model? Example WebQuest No. 1: Exploring Socio-Economic Conditions One Zambia, One Nation? 4. Designing WebQuests Core Components of a WebQuest Introduction Task Process Evaluation Other Components of the Model Design Process Selecting a Primary Design Tool QuestGarden Assessing WebQuests Online Resources 5. Getting Started: Learners, Topics, and Design Patterns Getting Started Anita’s Classroom Meet Happy-Hardy Guinguing Brainstorming WebQuest Ideas General Social Studies Online Resources: Social Studies Topics Culturally Responsive Topics Online Resources: Cultural Sensitivity Anita’s Challenge: Teaching World Religions Design Patterns Example WebQuest No. 2: World Religions and Conflicts Religious Conflict: Is an End in Sight? 6. Authentic and Engaging Tasks Meet Juan Pablo Escoriza Posing Authentic Problems to Challenge Thinking Skills Brainstorming WebQuest Tasks Exercises: Tasks From Example WebQuests in Previous Chapters Chart of Possible Tasks Online Resources Example WebQuest No. 3: Immigration: Past, Present, and Future Lights, Camera, Action! An Immigration Perspective 7. Evaluation Rubrics Meet Vladimir Emilov Evtimov Using Rubrics Online Tools How Many Rubrics? Rubric Dimensions and Scale Exercises: Evaluation Rubrics From Example WebQuests Online Resources Example WebQuest No. 4: Effective Use of Maps and Geographic Tools Calling All Cartographers! 8. The WebQuest Process: How, What, and When Meet Haseena Niazi Teams and Roles Exercises: Teams and Roles From Example WebQuests Choosing Appropriate Resources Internet Resources Search Engines Selecting Web Sites Social Studies Links Accessibility Issues Copyright, Fair Use, and Citation of Sources Other Resources Exercises: Resources From Example WebQuests Online Resources Example WebQuest No. 5: Voting Rights and Responsibilities Let Our Voices Be Heard! 9. Finalizing Your WebQuest Design Meet Poroma Kanya WebQuest Introductions WebQuest Conclusions Using Images and Other Tools Teacher Page and Credits Assessing Your WebQuest Tom March’s Seven Points for a Great WebQuest 10. The Challenge Ahead: A Quest for Peace Humanistic Education Choices for the 21st-Century Education Program A Workable Peace Freedom Writers A Final Quest Keeping the Quest Alive Other Resources A. Ten Thematic Strands in Social Studies B. National Education Technology Standards for Students C. Sites for Selecting Specialized Resources D. Standards Associated With Example WebQuests References Suggested Readings: Cultural Responsiveness in the Classroom Index

About the Author :
Margaret Thombs is an associate professor of education specializing in instructional technology at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. She has taught secondary mathematics and computer science and was formerly the director of technology for the Middletown, Rhode Island Public Schools. Her areas of expertise include facilitating English as a Second Language skills using technology and technology-enabled family and local history research. She is a frequent presenter at national and regional technology and education conferences, and has authored a number of articles on technology integration in the classroom. She earned her PhD in computing technology in education from Nova Southeastern University. Maureen Gillis is the owner of an Internet-based business and the coordinating editor for Spalding University’s manuscript review program for MFA alumni in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to becoming a writer and Internet entrepreneur, she was a CPA and business executive and taught in the MBA program at the University of Hartford. She serves as the writing coach for the management team of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Gillis earned her MFA in writing from Spalding University and has taught in that program. Alan Canestrari Alan S. Canestrari, Ed.D, Boston University, a veteran social studies practitioner and Professor of Education at Roger Williams University, is co-editor (with Bruce Marlowe) of Educational Foundations: An Anthology of Critical Readings (Sage) and Educational Psychology in Context: Readings for Future Teachers (Sage). Educational Foundations was awarded the 2005 American Educational Studies Association Critics Choice Award. Canestrari had a long career in public schools and universities as a history teacher, department chair, adjunct professor at Rhode Island College, and mentor in the Brown University Masters of Teaching Program. He was the RI Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 1992.

Review :
"Founded on a well-established educational rationale, this book takes the critical and challenging step of helping teachers integrate culturally responsive education into their own practice. By using real student stories, the authors spin an engaging narrative that informs and entertains." "Shows teachers how to create quality WebQuests using constructivist principles while also encouraging teacher reflection. The book has inspired me in my efforts to make my teaching responsive to students’ needs and the real-world requirements of our education system." "Offers endless resources for the novice or experienced teacher. In a culturally diverse classroom, WebQuests provide students with an opportunity to showcase their cultures and take pride in their learning. While the text is geared to the social studies teacher, the steps of the WebQuest are explained so that any teacher in any discipline may develop and utilize this resource in their curriculum."