First Technology Lesson Plan

Title: Online Fact Checking

Web Tool: Blogs

SoL: GOVT.5  The student will demonstrate knowledge of the federal system described in the Constitution of the United States by

a)            explaining the relationship of the state governments to the national government;

b)            describing the extent to which power is shared;

c)            identifying the powers denied state and national governments;

d)            examining the ongoing debate that focuses on the balance of power between state and national governments.

Other Skills: Students should understand that just because they read it on the internet, that they should not believe it.  Students will be able to assess statements and be able to check for authenticity, and know how to respond to a blog, and be able to link their sources to do so.  Students will be able to hone their internet conversational skills.

Lesson Objective:  The teacher is going to write a blog filled with a strong anti-federal government bias, and grossly inaccurate information.  It is up to the students to read and write a blog of their own responding back to the teacher’s blog, citing their sources via linking to credible websites.  Students will be doing this on their own blogs, instead of replying as this will prevent students from copying each other’s answers and sources.  Their posts however will be worded in a way as if they were specifically responding to the blog themselves.  Students will then be asked to make another blog post where they talk about their own opinion on the role the federal government should provide, and again cite their sources via links embedded within their text.