Integrating Computer-based Instructional Objects

I think integrating computer-based instructional objects, like STAIRS or WebQuests, into our teaching is very important for both the teachers and students. Technology will be such an important part of their lives, and looking at the examples of STAIRS and WebQuests has shown me that they can be used for whole group teaching, group work, or individual work. I believe it is important for children to know the task they have been charged with, as well as how they will be evaluated. Using these learning objects is also a great way to individualize.
However, some things do need to be considered when using these. I saw many WebQuests like this one that were out-of-date because not all of the links worked. This is too bad because I would have liked to use some of them in my classroom. However, I did get some very good ideas of WebQuests I can make myself. I realized that WebQuests don't have to take a really long time to do, they can be short and sweet like this next one. Some of the sites don't work, but it really wouldn't take too long to make. Another problem I saw in this last WebQuest were that some of the sites had too much advertising, some of the information was hard to find, and some of the writing inappropriate for the age level it was made. The reading ability of the audience needs to be considered. So, I do see that the sites connected to the WebQuests or STAIRS have to be found carefully. I think U-Tube videos could also be a good connection. Another thing I thought about was the ease of going to view something and then getting back to the WebQuest or STAIR. One WebQuest I looked at was a little confusing about how to get back to it. When I did go back by using the back arrow, it was written there, but it was written after the icon to leave the page. I think it needed to be printed before that. If I didn't see it easily, neither will most children.
A WebQuest I thought was done very nicely was about Sarah, Plain and Tall. This is one of the book choices I give the children to read so it would work nicely. I thought it was very simple and easy to use. Although there was one site, The Tall Grass, that was 'suspended', so, can I still use this Webquest? If I did, what do I do about that? Another one I liked was about Fact or Fiction on the Internet. It is a short WebQuest about what is true or not on the Internet. Again, I'm not sure I'd use these exact sites, especially the last one, but it is a good idea. Overall, I really enjoyed looking at the different WebQuests and for ones I could possible use. I got lots of good ideas, but wish I would have found more that I could use as is.