The Social Networking WebQuest: Process of Completion
STEP 1: Research some of the main components of social networking sites that are extremely common in today’s society in order to gain some background knowledge on the topic.
Some examples to explore: Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, etc.
Decide within your group whether or not you will work together on the following questions or split up the questions and work independently. If you choose to split them up, make sure to share your answers.
Facebook
Twitter
NY Times Facebook Info
NY Times Twitter Info
STEP 2: Research the Pros and Cons of having social networking sites in our society.
Answer the following questions by spending some time looking at the links provided.
· How does social networking impact bullying in schools?
· How do social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter impact politics and policy?
· Are there advantages economically to having a social network site?
· Can social network sites be distracting in a student’s learning ability? Can they be used to enhance learning?
· How do social network sites, and the time spent on them, impact reading amongst youth?
· Do social networking sites increase communication through long distances?
· Would the termination of social networks sites infringe on the First Amendment of the United States?
These questions are only a starting point. Feel free to further investigate a different issue in regards to this topic in which you find interesting and beneficial to your argument as a U.S. Congressman.
RESOURCES:
"Bullies Beware!"
"Debate!"
"Kids and Social Networking: Pros and Cons"
Negative Effects of Social Networking
Pros and Cons of Social Networking
The Dramatic Social Network Effects On the Economy
STEP 3: Choose a position on whether or not you will support the continuation of social networking sites from a Congressman standpoint.
Spend some time discussing with a partner the information you obtained from the previous step. Make a decision as to whether or not you will support social networking sites and their use in today’s society. Consider the wide range of audience that this decision will affect along with the following questions:
(Remember to utilize the resources provided above)
STEP 4: Draft a letter to your fellow congressman persuading them to either support or oppose the banning of social networking sites.
Each student should draft their own letter, due to their own stance on the issue. Use the information that has been provided for you above to form your argument. Defend your ideas with evidence provided for you in the links. Remember, you are trying to convince congress to either pass or veto the bill, so try and sound persuasive and back up your idea with examples! If you argue your point strong enough, maybe you can convince other members of congress to join your side!
Some examples to explore: Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, etc.
Decide within your group whether or not you will work together on the following questions or split up the questions and work independently. If you choose to split them up, make sure to share your answers.
- What are some of the networking capabilities of these sites?
- What kind of information do you need to supply to create an account?
- What kind of audience do most networking sites cater to? Kids? Teens? Adults? Race? Gender?
- How has the usage of social networking increased over time?
NY Times Facebook Info
NY Times Twitter Info
STEP 2: Research the Pros and Cons of having social networking sites in our society.
Answer the following questions by spending some time looking at the links provided.
· How does social networking impact bullying in schools?
· How do social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter impact politics and policy?
· Are there advantages economically to having a social network site?
· Can social network sites be distracting in a student’s learning ability? Can they be used to enhance learning?
· How do social network sites, and the time spent on them, impact reading amongst youth?
· Do social networking sites increase communication through long distances?
· Would the termination of social networks sites infringe on the First Amendment of the United States?
These questions are only a starting point. Feel free to further investigate a different issue in regards to this topic in which you find interesting and beneficial to your argument as a U.S. Congressman.
RESOURCES:
"Bullies Beware!"
"Debate!"
"Kids and Social Networking: Pros and Cons"
Negative Effects of Social Networking
Pros and Cons of Social Networking
The Dramatic Social Network Effects On the Economy
STEP 3: Choose a position on whether or not you will support the continuation of social networking sites from a Congressman standpoint.
Spend some time discussing with a partner the information you obtained from the previous step. Make a decision as to whether or not you will support social networking sites and their use in today’s society. Consider the wide range of audience that this decision will affect along with the following questions:
- How will your decision affect our country's ability to communicate internally (within our country) and externally (throughout the world)?
- How will those in support of the opposite position react to your position? Will you be able to provide them with an alternate means of communication or a way to limit the extension of social networking sites?
- Take into account your teenage perspective of social networking sites and see how it influences or does not influence your position as a Congressman.
(Remember to utilize the resources provided above)
STEP 4: Draft a letter to your fellow congressman persuading them to either support or oppose the banning of social networking sites.
Each student should draft their own letter, due to their own stance on the issue. Use the information that has been provided for you above to form your argument. Defend your ideas with evidence provided for you in the links. Remember, you are trying to convince congress to either pass or veto the bill, so try and sound persuasive and back up your idea with examples! If you argue your point strong enough, maybe you can convince other members of congress to join your side!