Dream Vacation Webquest

More Ways

Computer(s), Internet access, projector, and PowerPoint software

Activity Description

The Dream Vacation WebQuest is designed to provide practice in language and decision-making skills for Adult Education and Advanced ESL Students. Students will work in small groups to plan a 4-day vacation, using Internet resources to gather information about the location’s attractions, airfare, or other transportation options, and hotel accommodations. They will be required to keep within a set budget so will need to work together as a team to reach decisions as to how to spend their money.

This downloadable PowerPoint WebQuest provides guidance for teachers on a Teacher Page, and includes a special vocabulary building section for students and an evaluation rubric. It links to short tutorials about using PowerPoint to present information and offers tips on navigating the Web sites which are part of the WebQuest.

Preparation

Download and preview the Example Document PowerPoint activity (above) to be sure you know how it works so you understand the project.
Be sure the links to Web sites in the PowerPoint work at your school.
You may want to download (and print) the prepared handout with the instructions from the Webquest so students can refer back to them while working on the project.
If your room is does not have at least 4-5 computers (or more depending on the number of students you have), you may need to schedule time in the computer lab for this activity.

How-To

This is a PowerPoint presentation of the project.
The step-by-step project is outlined in the presentation.
Use the vocabulary list in the presentation to pre-teach the terms.

Teacher Tips

Learners must have basic computer proficiency skills, including the ability to recognize and follow a hyperlink, navigate a Web page, complete an online form, and print from a Web page.
Use a computer lab or several stand-alone units with Internet access in the classroom for maximum benefit and productivity.
Use classroom tools that will allow for teacher modeling (overhead projector, sample Web pages, vocabulary lists.)
It is strongly recommended that teachers model each part of the Internet activities on a projector or on a computer in small groups before assigning them. Also, it is important to pre-teach the vocabulary in this lesson. Prior knowledge of the key words in this exercise is extremely beneficial.
As with any lesson, you may need to modify the tasks to meet your students' special needs and abilities. You may wish to print the handout so students do not need to have multiple windows open as they work.
It is strongly recommended that teachers visit the links prior to assigning the lesson to ensure that the information is presented in an appropriate manner for his/her students. Visiting the links prior to assigning the lesson will help you make decisions about how to introduce each of the tasks.

More Ways

This Web-based project can be used as a collaborative writing (using the computer) and oral presentation assignment.

Documents

Levels

Advanced

Standards

Basic Communication

(0.1) Communicate in interpersonal interactions
(0.2) Communicate regarding personal information

Basic Communication

(1.8) Demonstrate financial literacy skills
(1.5) Understand how to manage household finances
(1.3) Understand methods and procedures used to purchase goods and services
(1.2) Use information to identify and purchase goods and services

Basic Communication

(2.3) Understand concepts of time and weather
(2.2) Understand how to locate and use different types of transportation and interpret travel related information
(2.5) Use community agencies and services
(2.6) Use leisure time resources and facilities

Basic Communication

(6.2) Compute using decimal fractions
(6.1) Compute using whole numbers
(6.4) Compute with percents, rate, ratio, and proportion
(6.7) Interpret data from graphs and compute averages

Basic Communication

(7.2) Demonstrate ability to use critical thinking skills
(7.3) Demonstrate ability to use problem-solving skills
(7.7) Demonstrate the ability to use information and communication technology
(7.1) Identify or demonstrate effective skills and practices in accomplishing goals