- In what specific ways does the webquest address questions about the most important things teachers need to do to help students prepare for their futures?
I believe that one of the most important things a teacher can do to best prepare students for their future is to have high and consistent expectations but also to force students to think in different ways and to open their minds when completing different tasks. For my webquest I have created a project that is challenging to many students. Their task in the project forces students to think differently than they are normally asked to. My project also makes students think analytically, not just regurgitate facts. Students must research, and then analyze the information to form their own opinions and thesis. Then, students are asked to be creative in presenting their findings. I believe that students are not asked enough in schools now (and I think it will get worse) to analyze information and come to conclusions based on the research/information they receive. Also, students are asked even less to be creative and present idea in a creative way. Students have become used to choosing the correct answer, instead of creating something to present their supported findings. Students are asked in this project to look at current events, apply the theories and facts we have learned in class to make a “real life” and “realistic” prediction about what form a government would take after a revolution.
- How do the ideas in the webquest relate to social justice and the core values & vision of the class?
My webquest asks student to look at the question “who has the power?” It is through this question that students evaluate historical evidence of power struggles and revolution to see the impact of the form of government. Throughout the Civics course we have studied the founding principles of a democracy. We have looked at other countries and whether these principles are specific to the US or if they can be applied to other countries. This project required students to look at these founding principles of our democracy and the purpose/progress of revolutions. This project requires students to look at a country’s past and evaluate why there would be a revolution and what happens next. Students will have to determine which founding principles, if any, could/should/will be considered in starting a new government after the revolutions.
3. How does the webquest relate to NCSS principles 8 and 9?
This webquest directly corresponds to NCSS principles 8 and 9. First, principle 8 directly relates to the webquest because of the discussion questions. One of the required discussion questions within the webquest is to evaluate how technology impacts revolutions. Students must look at a number of revolutions and evaluate what role technology played in past revolutions. Student are then asked what role technology played in this (Egypt) specific revolution. Principle 9 relates to the webquest because this particular webquest requires students to look at the idea of revolution and the implications globally.
