Process

Your Role:
You will be assigned to either Team 1 or Team 2, by counting off 1-2, in class.

If you are assigned to Team 1, then you are in favor of iPods in schools.
If you are assigned to Team 2, then you are opposed to iPods in schools.

If you are assigned to a team that contradicts your personal beliefs, please remember that this assignment involves looking at critical issues from another perspective, and then reaching a consensus based upon the available research.

Procedure for all teams:

 

1. Brainstorm for different ideas.  Make sure that you allow everybody in the group adequate time to talk.  See the following link for information on the process of brainstorming: Brainstorming Hints

2. Start your web research..You will use web-based research in order to reach a conclusion that supports your team's position. You may use any websites that you feel are appropriate to your task. In choosing your websites, please bear in mind how to evaluate the validity of the presented material. See the following link for information on evaluatiing websites:
Evaluating Web Pages

 Team 1: In favor of the use of iPods in school

There are many different reasons to favor the use of iPods in school.  If you were to argue, however, that you personally like iPods and therefore should be able to keep it, this would hold very little merit in a presentation.  Your presentation needs to consider other aspects, such as the ramifications for education, the administration and the other students.

Possible areas to explore include the following:

Team 2: Opposed to the use of iPods in school

There are many different reasons to oppose the use of iPods in school, among them is that they are a device that can be used to help cheaters. While you may personally be in favor of iPods, your presentation needs to consider other aspects, such as the ramifications of allowing them in selected classes versus all classes..

Possible areas to explore include the following:

3.    Write Individual Research Paper: Each student has to write a research paper that details the scope of their research.  The paper is to be 1.5 to 2 pages in length, and needs to have a separate "References" section. The reference section is in addition to the 1.5 to 2 pages.  The proper format is MLA style for citations. Each student has to use at least 2 references.

4. Reaching a Consensus.

After performing your research, you are now knowledgeable about your investigation into whether or not iPods should be allowed in an educational environment. You need to remember that the other students are just as well versed in their approach to the topic. The hard part has arrived!

You have to reach a consensus on what you are going to present. It may be tempting to slant the presentation so that you will benefit from the outcome. Perhaps you wish that you would be allowed to wear an iPod at school, and therefore you desire to present that viewpoint.  You need to work with the rest of the class to reach a consensus. Consensus comes from Latin roots and literally means to feel together as one.

In order to help you reach a consensus, examine the following website:

Building a Consenus

5.  Create a presentation: Decide if you want to create a PowerPoint presentation, or a display board. Please note that if you are in Computer Applications class, a PowerPoint presentation is required. You need to assign tasks at this point.  For example, in doing a PowerPoint presentation the following would be typical task positions:

6.  Present your finished presentation!