Exploring the Use of WebQuests in the
Learning of Social Studies Content
Sim Hwee Hwang, Christine Kim-Eng Lee, Chang Chew Hung
and Kho Ee Moi
Abstract
WebQuest is an approach which uses the Internet as an integral part of teaching any subject at any
grade leuel. Developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in 1995, it has generated
lots of interest. There are now numerous examples of WebQuests available on the World Wide Web.
WebQuest has the potential in bringing about more critical thinking and student engagement. This
article will (1) explain what WebQuest is all about and explore examples in primary social studies
to show its applicability in aclzieving important instructional goals in social studies teaching and
learning, (2) demonstrate how WebQuests were used in a pre-service course for prima ry social studies
teachers at the National Institute of Education, Singapore; and (3) share tlze responses of pre-service
teachers towards the use of WebQuests in learning primary social studies content.