This WebQuest has been designed as a tool to bring students to a better understanding of the Lewis and Clark expedition. By each member of a group of four students taking on a different role, students will become knowledgeable about one aspect of the expedition. After they have researched their specific topic, the indian affairs expert, botanist, zoolologist, and topographer will come together in order to create a collaborative final project: a game tracing the expedition. Students will be sharing their knowledge with one another so that they will eventually become experts on the expedition in its entirety, and not just on their particular area of reasearch.
When completing this webquest, students will use the internet as a tool to gather information. They will be using websites that contain textual information, maps, journal entries, and images in order to become experts in their assigned fields. However, before taking on a role, students are required to visit sites that give them background information on the entire expedition. This background search ensures that students have an understanding of the greater picture into which their particular field of research fits.
Teachers need to provide students with a sufficient amount of time to complete this webquest. For information gathered on the computer, students should be given time in one day to complete their reading of the background information on the given sites, and then two to three different periods of time throughout the week to become experts in their field. It is important that students spread out their information gathering so that they do not become bored and frustrated with the research.
The game portion of the webquest will require a greater amount of time to complete than the online portion. Students should write their twelve to fifteen questions about their area of expertise for homework after their research is complete. To allow students to be as thorough and creative as possible, it is recommended that they be given five time periods during one week to complete their work. Students should also be allotted one class period to play one anothers' games and test their knowledge.