Anne Roberts
Web Quest

The Quest

Information Sources

Activity

Activity Sheet

Evaluation

What is a Web Quest?

A web is a learning activity developed in 1995 by Bernie Dodge and Tom March from San Diego State University that engages students in a directed, independent research activity that accomplishes a particular learning goal. The web quest can be complex--a whole course--or simple--a learning activity that meets a goal. It involves instructor preparation of a web research activity that enables students to find and use information available through the web. It is active. It can be a collaborative or independent project. It should result in a particular measurable outcome.

Goal

This activity will engage you in a web quest so that you can see the elements of the activity, experience a search, and think about ways to adapt the activity yourself. You should leave with this activity completed and some ideas for using this activity yourself.

Background

The activity you will engage is taken from an English 102 course that introduces students to research. They have just finished reading the novel, The Assistant, by Bernard Malamud and will begin to write a short, documented essay using at least two sources that analyzes some aspect of the novel. They have engaged in discussion about characters, their motivations, inspirations, and actions. Now they are ready to begin research. This activity will get them started, take them to a few research sites, and ask them to write a paragraph that could be used in an essay on Bernard Malamud and The Assistant.

The QuestTop

Introduction

As you begin your study of Bernard Malamud, it would be be helpful to know a bit about his background. Most writers are influenced by their own lives, and Malamud is no exception. Reading quickly through the following material will enable you to see how Malamud's life shaped his fiction, in particular, The Assistant.

Task

Write a paragraph explaining the ways that Bernard Malamud's life influenced his novel, The Assistant.

Process

1. visit the sites listed below

2. skim the material looking specifically for information about his life and how it influenced The Assistant
3. jot some notes to yourself
4. talk to a partner or two to compare information
5. write a paragraph that:
   • has a topic sentence that generalizes about the points you will make
   • has at least five sentences
   • uses two critics or sources introduces each critic
   • Provides minimal information about source in parentheses at end of sentence

Information Sources Top

Suggested Web Sites:

Bernard Malamud - Some biographical information with links to other web sites.

Articles in Magazines, Journals & Newspapers:

• List of all Databases for articles in magazines and journals.
• Instructions for off campus access
• Best Databases to use are the Literature Databases:
• Literature Resource Center
• LION - Literature Online
• Humanities International Complete
• Search for information on Bernard Malamud
• After the search under the items found choose one or more of the following articles such as:
• "Bernard Malamud," in Contemporary Authors. (A profile of the author's life and works)
• "Bernard Malamud," in Contemporary Literary Criticism-Select. (A brief review of the author's life, works, and critical reception)
• Leslie Field, "Bernard Malamud," in Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 28: Twentieth-Century American-Jewish Fiction Writers. A Bruccoli Clark Layman Book. Edited by Daniel Walden, Pennsylvania State University. The Gale Group, 1984, pp. 166-175.

ActivityTop

After gathering information, write a paragraph. It should:

• generalize about what you found,
• develop your point in at least four supporting sentences,
• use two critical sources.

 

You should introduce each critic or critical source in your text and you should cite enough information about the source that the reader can find this source on your Works Cited page. For example, you sentence might begin like this: Critic Leslie Fielder explains that Malamud learned about Italians through his Italian wife (Fielder " Malamud and The Assistant'). This connection with Italians helped Malamud create the believable Italian-American character, Frank Alpine. Not that you only include what is essential in the parentheses where you cite your source, for you will include the entire web address in the Works Cited page. Be sure to copy and save that information as you do your research.

EvaluationTop

Your paragraph will be evaluated by a peer and by your instructor using the following criteria:

Does your paragraph:

• generalize about your point in a topic sentence (ideally the first sentence)--20 pts.
• have at least four sentences that support the topic sentence--20 pts.
• use two critical sources--20 pts.
• introduce each critic at least once--20 pts.
• provide minimal information on source in parentheses at the end of the sentence where critic is referred to--20 pts.

Please exchange paragraphs with peers or groups to see the total points you earned for this activity.

For more on Web quests check out the following sites:

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators - WebQuests

Some Thoughts About WebQuests

Top