Computer-based instructional objects & Exemplary WebQuests

This week in CEP 811, we've been evaluating WebQuests which has provided a nice opportunity to compare WebQuests vs. StAIRs. They are both similar in that they are designed so that students can use them independently (which means they must be written very explicitly since students may or may not have the chance to ask questions about the learning experience), but there are some differences as well. I see a PowerPoint-based StAIR as something you could give students on a thumb drive or stand-alone computer to use as a teaching & review tool. It's more 'stand-alone' than a WebQuest which is of course a WebSite and includes all the interactivity and necessary Internet connection to fully function.

A couple of my favorite WebQuests so far are:

DinoBirds - explores the link between dinosaurs & modern birds (High School / College)
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/webquest/content/dinobirds.shtml

Dinosaurs before Dark - links to a REAL book in the treehouse series while providing online exploration & education about the topic in that book (2nd grade)
http://questgarden.com/52/36/4/070612201403/index.htm

Bats by Scholastic - encourages kids to explore at least one credible website about bats (3rd grade)
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=6798

Website vs. Blog:

Hi! everyone, I agree with Phillip's description of Website vs. Blog.  He expained it very well!
As I know, Website exists long before Blog.  Blog only exists in recent years.  so-called social media.  It is for people get out their information and personal opinions in a simple way.  Comparing web site, it is only very little of info.  Web site is used to do business such as online stores, Web site also can be used as expressing personal perspectives called personal web site.

In a word, I believe Blog is a little part of Web site.  Because of the convience of blog, more and more people use it.  It is part of the social media trend.

Your comments are very welcome.

Joys

Webpages vs. Blogs

Website vs. Blog:

Hmmm... I believe the technologies are merging, but as defined for this class in the readings so far, a blog is an online posting & reply tool which can also include multimedia if Web2 is used.  From our readings this week I see that young folks at least in 2005 do quite a lot of blogging.  I do like the tips in Anne Davis's article "A vision for classroom blogging" - & plan to try this in any environmental courses I teach - since I do believe we need to reach students where they 'live' in the virtual world & try to speak their language.

I would say websites have become more of a hub or table of contents for the many technologies you can utilize online - so as I develop my online portfolio (a website) I would link to that my blog, any documents supporting my CV, perhaps sound & video files, pictures, etc. 

What say you group 3?  Is there any real difference between blogs & websites or are they merging?