International Journal of Adult and Continuing Education

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2241-4517 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The influence of WebQuest learning in teaching of sexually transmitted diseases in adult education and training

Marta Barroso* and Clara Coutinho

University of Minho, Portugal.

Accepted 12 September, 2015

Abstract

The present study describes an experience that involved the development of a long lasting WebQuest in an adult education and training course, from the secondary education level, on the theme “Sexually Transmitted Diseases”. A case study was developed with the purpose of verifying if the WebQuest foments the trainees’ motivation and commitment towards learning and if it facilitates the research and interpretation of the information available online, in the production of the end result; to listen to the trainees’ opinions on the fulfilment of the WebQuest, the written assignment and the informational bulletin; to increase the trainees’ informatics skills and contribute to prepare 21st century citizens. The results of the study sustain that the WebQuest improved the constructive role of the trainees in the comprehension of the “Sexually Transmitted Diseases” theme, stimulated the acquisition of competences at the informatics level and contributed to make them become citizens that are more active and critically prepared for decision-making in the global information and knowledge society of the 21st century.

Key words: WebQuest, adult education and training, Web 2.0.