What is web quest ?
Web quest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. These can be created using various programs, including a simple word processing document that includes links to websites.

A Web Quest is distinguished from other Internet-based research by three characteristics:

1. It is classroom-based.
2. It emphasizes higher-order thinking (such as analysis, creativity, or criticism) rather than just acquiring information.
3. The teacher pre-selects the sources, emphasizing information use rather than information gathering.

A Web Quest has 6 essential parts:
1. Introduction
It provides background information and motivational scenarios
2. Task
The task is a formal description of what students will have accomplished by the end of the Web Quest.
3. Process
This is a description of the steps learners should go through in accomplishing the task, with links embedded in each step.
4. Resources
This section of the Web Quest consists of a list of the resources (bookmarked Web sites, print resources, etc.) that your students will need to complete the task.
5. Evaluation
Each Web Quest needs a rubric for evaluating students’ work. The standards should be fair, clear, consistent, and specific to the tasks set.
6. Conclusion
This step allows for reflection by the students and summation by the teacher

There are some advantages of web quest :

• Keep students on-task while online. (Student activities are organized by the Web Quest and they can stay focused on using information rather than finding it.)
• Extend students’ thinking to the higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy; analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
• Support critical thinking and problem solving through authentic assessment, cooperative learning, scaffolding, and technology integration.
• Introduce a unit, conclude a unit, or provide a culmination activity.
• Foster cooperative learning through collaborative activities with a group project.
• Encourage independent thinking and to motivate students.
• Enhance students’ technological competencies.
• Differentiate instruction by providing multiple final product choices and multiple resource websites. Using multiple websites as reading content allows students to use the resource that works best for their level of understanding.
• Encourage accountability Specific task guidelines and/or rubrics are provided from the beginning of the Web Quest project, so that all students are aware of exactly what is expected of them.
• Enhance the development of transferable skills and help students to bridge the gap between school and “real world” experiences.
• Provide a situation in which students acquire information, debate issues, participate in meaningful discussions, engage in role play simulations and solve problems
• Encourage students to become connected and involved learners.
• Move themselves into the role of coach and adviser rather than the sole source of information.

Though, there are some advantages of web quest, there are some Limitations of Web Quests.

1. Web Quests are only one tool in a teacher’s toolbox. They are not appropriate to every learning goal. In particular, they are weak in teaching factual recall, simple procedures, and definitions.
2. Web Quests also usually require good reading skills, so are not appropriate to the youngest classrooms or to students with language and reading difficulties without special design and effort.