WebQuests in special primary education: Learning in a web‐based environment

Abstract

AbstractThe present study investigated the differences in learning gain when performing a WebQuest with a well‐defined versus an ill‐defined assignment. Twenty boys and twenty girls (mean age 11; 10), attending a special primary education school, performed two WebQuests. In each WebQuest, they performed either a well‐defined or an ill‐defined assignment. Knowledge acquisition was assessed by means of a concept map (ie, associative knowledge) and a knowledge test, based on facts concerning the subject (ie, factual knowledge). Results indicated that the learning gain on both WebQuests was higher for participants who worked on the ill‐defined assignments. In the long term, factual knowledge remained intact. The results of this study indicated that the use of WebQuest can be a valuable tool to enrich the educational curriculum in special education.