MLK+Online+Debate


 * __IS THE DREAM STILL ALIVE?__

Purpose:** To have an intellectual debate on whether or not the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King has been achieved and advance both the philosophical ideas behind the topic as well as demonstrate the hard evidence on both sides using conversation tools and hypermedia tools.

__HYPERMEDIA:__ Websites with hyperlinks, interactive video/audio/text sites __CONVERSATION TOOLS:__ Email, Wiki, Class message board, Skype videoconference with another school
 * Mindtools used:**


 * Background:** As this is the continuation of a unit, it is assumed that all students will have read, heard and completed biographical activities related to Martin Luther King's and his "I Have A Dream" speech. To review that part of the unit, click here**.**


 * Day one:** Introduction to Skype videoconferencing and class discussion board. Teachers at both schools will establish a Skype connection and conduct a joint lecture/lesson on how to use its features. After introduction to how to use this technology, students are given their Skype accounts and sent to computer work stations. Each work station will be equipped with a microphone and headphones. Students will log into a group chat session and get used to using Skype. Each student will make one brief statement of to the group at both schools answering the following question: “Based on what you have learned so far, has Martin Luther King’s dream been realized?” This serves to establish opinions on the topic, plus get students used to using [|Skype].


 * Day two:** Introduction to message boards and hyperlink posting. Students are shown how to make comments on the class Wiki and how to post hyperlinks to relevant materials. Teachers from both schools will post some initial relevant links and brief comments on each as a model. **__Classwork/Homework:__** Search the web for points on both sides of the question. Post the link on the class Wiki along with a brief paragraph summarizing the article __and your reaction to the points made.__


 * Day three:** Introduction to Skype online text chat features. Students from both schools will enter into several small group chat sessions. All communication today will be done through text chat with no microphones. Chat sessions will be saved and archived. Students within each group will discuss posts already made and debate among themselves the current state of King’s dream. **__Homework:__ **Continue posting links and reactions. Comment on at least two other posts and articles contributed by others.


 * Day four:** Students may use any conversation or hypermedia tool covered to continue discussion and acquisition of knowledge within the topic area. This includes audio chat, text chat, Wiki posting, and the group message board. **__Homework:__** Additional posts of links and reactions. Each student will also write a one page reflection of what they’ve learned/accomplished so far and post it as an MS Word attachment to the Wiki discussion page.


 * Day five:** Announce official debate topic: “Resolved that the dream of Martin Luther King is alive and well.” Divide classes at both schools in half with each half assigned one side of the topic. Set up two Skype audio/text conferences on opposite sides of the room so that students can discuss options with their same-side partners at the other school. Add video if enough individual webcams are available. **__Homework:__** Continue posting and responding to classmates, focusing on the specific side of the resolution assigned.


 * Days six and seven:** Research/case writing in groups using Skype audio and/or text chat as a means of communicating with other school. Groups will focus research on only the sides they were assigned. Each group will designate two people per school to participate on the online debate. The rest of the groups will contribute research and ideas.


 * Day eight: **Online debate #1 using Skype videoconferencing. Affirmative group from school A vs. the Negative group from school B. Two-on-two with the rest of both classes watching. All observers will write a ballot on the round for homework. Comments on the round should be posted to the discussion board.


 * Day nine: **Group discussion/followup on previous day’s debate by both schools via Skype.


 * Day ten: **Online debate #2 using Skype videoconferencing. Affirmative group from school B vs. the Negative group from school A. Two-on-two with the rest of both classes watching. All observers will write a ballot on the round for homework. Comments on the round should be posted to the discussion board.


 * Final reflection paper (due following week):** Each student should write a two page reflection paper in which they indicate what they have gained from the experience of the past two weeks. The paper should include thoughts on how their opinions have developed or changed, what they learned that they didn’t already know and what they learned from others from the project.

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