Instructor+Info

Last year I taught all levels of Government (i.e. AP, Honors, reg level, and co-taught). Each of these classes moved at a different pace, which allowed me to dig deep into some things but not others depending on the class. Because of the learning styles, skill sets and interest levels present in my Honors Government class, and because we weren't constrained by time and content like in AP, I chose to make the class a bit more project based. For these reasons, I chose to take the mini unit on Political Participation

Below is a list of Web 2.0 tools that are present in this unit:
 * Wikispaces - as we know: wikis = collaboration. Students will be working independently at certain times and in groups at other times.
 * Google Docs - again, students will collaborate to complete a series of questions based on one of the most important Federalist Papers
 * Google Forms - this will be used in two ways: one is for a short quiz; the other is for a survey which students will create to elicit support for their cause (see project)
 * Google Presentation - this tool is used as a way of getting students the basic information they need about interest groups. They will complete it as a class and be able to look back to it prior to the exam.
 * Blogger - this will be used to practice writing Free Response Questions (FRQs), as a debate forum, and as a forum for students to reflect on what they have learned after the unit is over.
 * Voice Thread - this will be used for students to demonstrate knowledge of essential vocabulary terms. Government classes are a lot like a foreign language class; the student must command a strong vocabulary within the discipline to be any good at it.
 * Prezi - this will be used as to present the students' findings to their selected interest group. Students will be expected to incorporate various Web 2.0 tools to make an effective argument.

To successfully complete all that I have laid out for the students, they will need the following resources:
 * Computer
 * Internet access
 * Wikispaces account
 * Gmail account
 * Blogger account
 * Prezi account
 * Wilson & DiIulio's //American Government,// 9th ed. textbook