The+American+Experience-2011

Challenge Based Learning: "The American Experience"
Introduction: The theme of English class for your junior year is “The American Experience.” You all recently brought in an object that represents America or the American Dream; we will continue to think about the concept of America and explore related ideas with the following project.

Method: Challenge Based Learning (CBL) is a way for students to take a big idea or topic and determine what they want to learn about it. You will be asked to create your own question about America, and then go through a series of steps to answer this question as best you can. This project will use the Challenge Based Learning model, which we will review together in class.

The “Big Idea” for this project is “Defining America.” Your group will decide on an essential question – you can either select one from the list or come up with your own idea. As a group, you will then continue the CBL process by coming up with the challenge, guiding questions, guiding activities and guiding resources. You will come up with a solution or answer to your essential question, then decide how to share (publish) your solution. You will receive some class time to work on this project, but you will need to complete most of the assignments at home.

Step I: Selecting an Essential Question
Groups will be determined based on the essential question you wish to explore. Below is a list of questions – you may select one of these or create an essential question of your own (must be teacher approved). Remember, the “big idea” for this project is “Defining America.”

Ideas for essential questions: • What is the “American Dream” and is it realistic? • What does it mean to be American? • What does it mean to be __BLANK__ in America? (insert any minority group: African-American, gay, female, immigrant, illegal immigrant, Jewish, etc.) • How has America changed in the past century? • What is the greatest challenge to Americans today? • Does America today reflect the vision of our founders? • Does “equality” really exist in America? • Question of your choice

Step II: Setting Up a Collaborative Environment (Wiki)
A shared working space is helpful for a successful challenge. Your group will utilize our class Wiki space, which will be available to you 24/7. On this site, you can include needed resources, access to activities, a calendar, and serve as a communication channel with your teacher and between team members.

After you have become a member of our class Wiki space: Decide on your group name. I will then create a page on our class Wiki for your group members to communicate and work together.


 * Your communication and postings on this site will be monitored and graded. **(See point values below).**

Step III: Start the process
 * Once your group has established an essential question, you are ready to continue with your challenge. It is essential that you keep detailed notes on your Wiki page regarding your group discussions, research and findings. You will receive a grade for this portion of the project **(10 points).


 * Here are the guidelines for each step: **

Requirement: State your challenge on your Wiki page. (5 points)
 * __Challenge:__ Now that you know your essential question, you will state the purpose of your project. In other words, what are you ****challenging yourselves to accomplish?**

Requirement: List at least 3 guiding questions on your Wiki page. (5 points)
 * __Guiding Questions:__ Your group will come up with more specific questions you will need to ask in order to reach your solution. **

Requirement: List at least// 3 guiding activities on your Wiki page. (5 points)
 * __Guiding Activities:__ What you will do in order to find your solution/answer? For this step, you will determine what you need to do. You may need to conduct a class survey, interview a family member, call or email an expert (*required), get help from the librarian to find resources, search for Internet articles, etc. **


 * __Guiding Resources:__ The bulk of your group’s efforts will be gathering appropriate resources in order to have the information you need to come up with a solution. Here are some ideas for resources: Internet article (from reliable websites), transcript of interview* (video would be a bonus), email response from an expert*, video clip, survey questions and statistics, quotes from newspapers, magazines or other printed sources. **Requirement: All resources must be uploaded to your Wiki page. Include links to Internet sources, and make sure that they are valid sources. (15 points)

Requirement: Your solution must be written up in paragraph form on your Wiki page. Solutions should be multiple paragraphs and go beyond “obvious” conclusions. (20 points)
 * __Solution/Action:__ This is the answer to your essential question. It is okay if your solution is complex – there may be several aspects to your answer. **


 * __Publishing:__ Now that your group has a solution, you must determine the best way to share your solution with others. Your group will present your project to the class on **Tuesday, 9/27** . Here are your options: **

Your published solution will receive a grade out of 30 points. Presentation Date: Tuesday, 9/27 Individual grades will be given as well. Each group member is responsible for contributing to each step. You will each evaluate the other group members. **(10 points)**
 * Podcast with visual (2-3 minutes long, use GarageBand) **
 * Movie with text and/or narration (2-3 minutes long, use iMovie) **
 * Website with step-by-step explanation of your CBL, photos, links to resources (use iWeb) **

__ Grading: __ Challenge (due 9/16) (5 points) Guiding Questions (due 9/16) (5 points) Guiding Activities (due 9/19) (5 points) Guiding Resources (due 9/21) (15 points) Solution / Action (due 9/26) (20 points) Individual Grade (10 points) Wiki Grade (w/ notes) (10 points) Publishing (Final Project)-due 9/27) (30 points)


 * TOTAL 100 points **