Access, Analyze, Act: Three cheers for representative democracy!
October 8, 2008
Every four years, men with funny names and expensive suits begin proposing vague solutions to our country’s problems. In November, citizens are asked to choose one of these men to lead the executive branch of the United States government. You probably refer to this event as a “Presidential Election.” Your students probably refer to it as “Boring.”
Fortunately, PBS has developed an excellent online curriculum guide for this year’s election. The site is called Access, Analyze, Act: A Blueprint for 21st Century Civic Engagement. Naturally, the site is divided into three main sections, each containing a set of lesson plans.
The Access section suggests the use of social media tools such as blogs, mashups, and widgets to stimulate student interest in the election. For those of you who’ve never heard of a mashup or a widget (What about blogs? Hint: you’re reading one right now!), PBS also provides a helpful glossary of terms.
The Analyze section promotes critical thinking by examining the various ways that candidates present information. This section covers topics ranging from Aristotelian persuasion techniques to the expanding role of media in presidential campaigns.
The Act section encourages “civic engagement” on the part of students by allowing them to cultivate and express their own political identities. In the end, students will learn that although they must wait until their 18th birthdays to vote, their voices can still be heard across the internet. –JIMI RADABAUGH
Access, Analyze, Act: A Blueprint for 21st Century Civic Engagement
Related Stuff:
Make sense of electoral votes with the 2008 Swing State Map
Keep track of elections with Gallup
The candidates answer tough questions about science at Sciencedebate 2008
