In the article FOCUS: Five Rules for Writing a Great WebQuest, Bernie Dodge offers five guiding principles to keep in mind when creating a WebQuest. To FOCUS students' learning, Dodge says, teachers must:

1. Find great sites.
   • Master advanced search techniques for using search engines. Use the Advanced Search in Google), for example.
   • Search hidden Web pages not found by search engines: large databases, library resources (such as the Library of Congress).
   • Save what you find by copying and pasting Web site addresses (URLs) into a Word document or by using free bookmarking sites, such as Backflip or I Keep Bookmarks.
2. Orchestrate learners and resources. Figure out how to make do with however many computers you have. Ensure trouble-free group work by creating a cooperative learning environment.
3. Challenge learners to think. It's not the information students acquire that counts; it's what they do with that information.
4. Use the Medium. What makes the Internet different from other mediums? The ability to interact with others around the world? Access to multimedia resources such as video or audio? Take advantage of the unique features the Internet contains.
5. Scaffold high expectations. Make it easy for students to succeed by providing guides that help them acquire, transform, and present knowledge.

Next: Tools for the nervous WebQuest creator.