Best WebQuests . com

Content area(s): English & Language Arts, History & Social Studies,

Grade levels:

Author(s) & location: Moira Curtain, West Australia

Criteria	1	2	3
Introduction
Question / Task
Background
Roles / Expertise
Use of the Web
Transformation
Real Feedback
Conclusion

See the evaluation matrix?

Description

"There has been much discussion lately on the news and in the newspapers about whether the Australian Government should make a formal apology to the Indigenous people of Australia for the Government policies of the past which have affected them."

"The Prime Minister has requested a group be appointed to help advise himself and other central community representatives on how Australian people view saying "Sorry" to the Aboriginal People."

"You have been appointed to that Advisors group, which consists of an historian, a reporter, a health worker, an anthropologist and a librarian. Together with your other team members, you are required to investigate the issue and then report back your findings."

Question: "Should the Prime Minister and the Government say 'sorry' to the Aboriginal People? Why/why not?"

What makes this an interesting WebQuest

Outstandingly clear process, scaffolding sheets, and assessment criteria

Excellent questions for the Roles and use of roles as Teams while still leveraging an individual synthesis in the final letter (an assessment criterion that focuses on the argument's persuasiveness would aid transformation / synthesis)

By adding a role of politician or mining company, the discussion might be more challenging because of the potential economic outcome of "saying sorry."

A final conclusion would help students reflect on what they have learned and how the process and the content might apply to other topics later

The excellent teacher resources and references to outcomes / standards / and teaching opportunities makes this an even more valuable WebQuest for others to use.