If you’re unfamiliar with WebQuests, read this introduction first.
Everybody’s got hobbies. You probably have some hobbies in common with a lot of other people; hobbies like reading or playing sports. Perhaps you’ve got a hobby or two that are less common. But do you have any hobbies that no one else does (at least no one that you know personally)?
Let’s take a look at some uncommon hobbies. Select a hobby that no one in your community has (maybe woodworking, bee-keeping, needlepoint, origami, parkour, coin-collecting, tai chi, geocaching, cosplay, etc.; obviously, how prevalent these are depends on your culture, along with other factors). Search the internet for some ideas.
What is this Hobby?
Once you’ve selected the hobby, find out exactly what it is.
How is it defined?
Is it indoor or outdoor? Is it solitary or cooperative? Is it competitive?
Does it involve physicality? Problem-solving? Creativity?
What are similar hobbies? What sets this one apart from similar hobbies?
What is required to do this hobby (resources, skills, etc.)?
What is the goal?
Who does this Hobby?
What types of people do this hobby? What skills, personality, or interests do they tend to have?
Among which people group or in which part of the world did this hobby originate? What does that tell you about that culture?
Are there any famous people who have this hobby?
Why do some people do this hobby? Why doesn’t anyone you know do it?
Interview a Hobbyist
Find a specific person who enjoys this hobby and see what they have to say about it. You may be able to find some interviews online, or perhaps they have a blog in which they write about it. If you can’t find any of those, try going to a forum designated specifically for enthusiasts of this hobby. Ask someone there if they’re willing to answer a few questions.
Choose your questions ahead of time. Consider questions like these:
When and why did you start doing this hobby?
What’s your favorite aspect of this hobby?
What challenges do you face?
Come up with five to eight questions. Have them ready for the interview, and make a note of the hobbyist’s responses. After the interview, write a summary of their perspective on the hobby.
Pros and Cons
If someone were to consider trying this hobby, what would you tell them about it? What are the good things about this hobby? What are the bad things?
Who do you know that might enjoy this hobby?
Would you like to try this hobby yourself? Why or why not?
Present the Hobby
When you present the hobby to your class:
Explain it the best way you can.
Tell them what makes the hobby special and why people do it.
Demonstrate the hobby. If you can do a bit of it yourself, that’s great! (unless it’s dangerous.) Otherwise, show your class a video of someone showcasing the hobby.
Summarize the interview you had.
Give your conclusion: What did you find most fascinating about the video? Would you recommend it?
