Introduction

We all like to take trips and explore new surroundings. Now here is your chance to be adventurous and explore a fresh new area, Canada. Travel agents get to explore areas for people wanted to see a different place. Planning a trip takes much in depth research. You must all work as a team to plan the best trip possible to the best place possible. As you explore the sites provided below, each of you should think about key things. Since your team is in charge of the arrangements, each member will be responsible for certain aspects. Be creative. Think about what you would be interested in, where in Canada you would like to visit and why.

In the following WebQuest, you will use the power of teamwork and the abundant resources on the Internet to learn all about Canada. Each person on your team will learn one piece of the puzzle and then you will come together to get a better understanding of the topic. Your job, if you choose to accept it, is to 'sell' Canada to tourists. Provide information as to why people should travel to Canada.

The Quest

Where should your team plan the trip to Canada? Each province has something different to offer a tourist. Search the tourism sites and explore the attractions to all the provinces. Keep in mind time of year, money, attractions, rates for hotel and car, etc.

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about Canada. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where? when? why? and how? Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can. Think about why people would want to visit Canada. First, as a team, determine what season to schedule the trip. Keep in mind what time of year you are urging tourists to visit an area. Is that appealing to tourists? Why/or why not?

• Canadian Government - A look at Canada's government and other various services Canada offers.
• Canada's Trade Policy - Statistics on Canada's trade policies.
• Pictures of Canada - Search through various pictures of Canada. View the landscape, industry, and more.
• Canada's Parliament - This site opens the door to the leaders in Canada's government.
• Canada's ideology - Canada strives to be independent from other nations. This site offers a look into this idea
• Pictures - Pictures of various items across Canada
• Tourism
• Tourism
• Tourism

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:
After viewing the provinces and the cities within them, your team must decide on two cities in two different provinces.
From this point forward, the two cities are your focus.

1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

Canadian Expert, provide information on the provinces for tourists.

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Canadian Expert, provide information on the province for tourists.:

1. What is appealling about the two provinces in which each city is located?
2. Describe the landscape of the two cities.
3. Provide facts about each city. Make note of population, size, economic appeal, average temperatures, etc.
Hint: The tourism sites give great information

• Canada's Provinces - An in depth look at Canada's Provinces. This site provides facts and figures on each province

Travel agent, locate the best rates in Canada

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Travel agent, locate the best rates in Canada:

1. Where should you book your clients to stay in the two cities? Provide a few of the best rates. Keep in mind the location of the hotels to each city.
2. Assuming transportation is needed, what are some of the best rates? What kind of car is best suited for the city? Hint: will there be any snow?
Hint: Utilize the tourism sites if needed.

• Canada Hotel - Great Website for locating hotel rates for Canada
• Car Rentals - Car rental rates for Canada

Advertising exec, sell Canadian culture to tourists

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Advertising exec, sell Canadian culture to tourists :

1. In what ways do Canadians differ from Americans?
2. What do Canadians say about themselves?
3. What do Canadians do in their leisure time?
4. Why have Canadians been compared to a mosaic?
5 . What are five claims Canadians have laid since its existance?

• Culture of Canada - Read first hand Canadian's views and beliefs on the culture of their land.
• Does Canada have culture - A look at the culture of Canada

Planning exec, provide a schedule of events to tourists.

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Planning exec, provide a schedule of events to tourists.:

1. What events can be used to attract tourists to the place selected.Using the sites as a starting place, construct a list of events. Keep in mind the time in which the trip is to be planned.
2. Search the internet and come up with at least two more sites to get area attractions. Hint: Go to Google.com and type in the names of each city your team selected and locate area attractions for the two cities.
Hint: Utilize the tourism sites if needed.

• Events
• Events
• Athletic Events
• Hockey Events

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about different aspects of Canada. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective. You must now discuss as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint as to which of the two places is a better 'deal.' A better deal meaning economically (which rates give you more 'bang for your buck'). Also which one has the best attractions for the season in which the group chose to go during. Some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures provided by some of the sites,facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your choice is the best. Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles. Now's the time to put your learning into a letter you'll send out for real world feedback. Together you will write a letter that contains opinions, information, and perspectives that you've gained. Here's the process:

1. Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing your message to this particular person or organization.

2. Give background information that shows you understand the topic.

STATE THE TASK / QUEST(ION) AND YOUR GROUP'S ANSWER.

3. Each person in your group should write a paragraph that gives two good reasons supporting the group's opinion. Make sure to be specific in both the information (like where you got it from on the Web) and the reasoning (why the information proves your group's point).

4. Have each person on the team proofread the message. Use correct letter format and make sure you have correctly addressed the email message. Use the link below to make contact. Send your message and make sure your teacher gets a copy.

Your Contact is: the designated contact

Conclusion

So is being a travel agent adventurous? Canada has a variety of appeal from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. Each province is different and has much to offer a tourist. When you only know part of the picture, you only know part of the picture. Now you all know a lot more. Nice work. You should be proud of yourselves! How can you use what you've learned to see beyond the black and white of a topic and into the grayer areas? What other parts of Canada could still be explored? Remember, learning never stops.