My webquest, "From the Great Depression to the Current Recession," addresses the important things teachers need to do to help students prepare for the future several ways. First, it asks them to analyze information and then create their own foreign and economic policy. It also hones their research skills by requiring multiple sources and ample notes, evaluating each source. Both of these skills will be required in high school and college, and even in the workplace. The webquest also asks students to collaborate with one another, as working in groups is an important life skill. Finally, the webquest has students do internet searching and create and upload a video of their project. Thy will also be uploading their notes to wikispaces. There will be no physical paper involved in the project at all. As life becomes more and more electronic, the need for school projects to be digital will grow immensely.
The webquest directly relates to social justice themes by having students really address the issues facing citizens during the Great Depression as well as this current recession. Obviously, the main concern during the Great Depression was poverty, but unemployment is a huge factor in poverty, and is the main focus of this current recession. The students will be able to relate both economic events and will look at the quality of human life, and how it might be alleviated some in this current recession. The core values of responsible, ethical, logical, perseverant, and resourceful would all be addressed in this project as they attempt to find aid for the poor and unemployed today.
Finally, my webquest relates to NCSS standards 8 and 9 several ways. NCSS Standard 8 is met by having students examine the similarities and differences between The Great Depression and today. I also have the students look at farming developments and various other technological changes around the Great Depression and just afteward during recovery. I address NCSS Standard 9 by having students suggest domestic and foreign economic policy to help both American citizens and citizens of the world during difficult economic times. Students will be suggesting foreign policy assistance as well.
