Although we haven't completed the WebQuest that was given two weeks ago yet, it's already possible to learn about the skills they require

WebQuests are games similar to treasure hunts, like the ones we were given in Second Life, except they are mostly based on the Web - thanks to web-based communication tools, they may also involve human beings. Usually, they are conducted as a team, which has important implications for how to approach them.

Skills involved

Here are a the main skills involved in WebQuests:

1. Analysing the task document (broad level) in search for patterns or links
2. Planning and strategic thinking for more focused action
3. More detailed analysis of a selection of the information sources provided
4. Constant quick comparisons between information deemed important at a given time (often a lot) and that one is skimming through
   This involves making hypothesis, probing (Gee 2003, pp. 90-96)
5. Ability to keep one's mind open to alternative possibilities

The latter point is particularly relevant: once there are signs of being on the right track (especially because the ideas one has are also driven by one's own interests), it's easy to get carried away, become too selective in the analysis and therefore, to miss out on better hypthesis. In a nutshell, tunnel vision can constantly alter judgement.

That's where working as a team is particularly helpful: at the beginning, it's worth taking the aforementioned risk into account in the team strategy and avoiding exploring the same ideas as those looked at by other members of the team.

References:

Gee, J. P. (2003). What does it mean to be a half elf? In What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy. New York, Palgrave Macmillan