In the process of conducting oral interviews, young people converse with other generations about their lives and communities in which they lived. They see the human face of history and hear its human voice. Webquests enable students to assume increased responsibility for their own learning by giving them structured opportunities to access and interact with the rich resources of the Internet. Students are challenged to engage in research and problem-solving activities, activities which frequently require teamwork. Webquests can be sound tools for preparing students for fuller participation in adult relationships associated with the worlds of work and society.
People are naturally interested in knowing more about the history of their family.
It is said that nearly 100 million Americans are currently engaged in researching their family roots. Learning about the history of their own family and the history of other families can benefit youth in a variety of ways, from strengthening their self image to increasing their sensitivity to the family situations of others. In some cases, membership is a matter of conscious choice. In others, membership in a particular community is a matter of circumstance. To mature, youth need to participate in communities of choice and circumstance which are outside of the immediate family.