Download Social Awareness Activity

Social Awareness Project documents, power point, and surveys are posted on our
Wikispace, http://brichards.wikispaces.com/.
Part 2: Description of the Social Awareness Activity

Students:
o Beth Richards (coordinator, data collector, editor)
o William Lockwood (survey designer, technology coordinator, editor)
o Kelly Camarena (power point designer, data collector, editor)

Activity Description:
Student groups in the United States and Panama are assigned to work collaboratively on
this project. Students are to coordinate efforts to collect, share, and organize data on a
socially relevant issue. This project involves collecting information about Panamanian
and American wetlands.
Comparisons of wetlands and conservation and protection
efforts are researched and presented in a power point. Environmental awareness and
attitudes are compared using SurveyMonkey. Students then coordinate efforts to present
their projects in class using Skype, an Internet video phone service (I am assuming here!).

Title: Without Wetlands, There is not Water
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The Development Environment
A Wikispace will be used to compile and review student collected information, graphics,
Internet links, and other relevant information and correspondence. A Wikispace allows
each member of the group to edit the space.
A survey will be developed to compare environmental awareness and attitudes between
Panama and America.
Students will design the survey and distribute it to fellow
classmates in Panama and America. The results will be compiled and presented in the
power point.

The Student Collaboration
Students will work in groups of 3-4, ideally with 2 students from each country. Students
communicate through email and instant messaging (IM). Students require Internet access
in class, the library, and/or at home for research and email and IM correspondence.
Students require a power point platform such as Microsoft PowerPoint to present their
projects.
Students will have designated roles including coordinator, data collectors,
power point designer, survey designer, technology coordinator, and editor.
The
coordinator will initiate communication and ensure adequate progress is made. The
coordinator will also ensure that all elements of the project are completed. The data
collectors will collect information for their respective countries. The editors will perform
a final edit of the presentation. The product designers will design the power point and
survey and submit them to the group for review. The technology coordinator will post all
presentation materials to a web page that is accessible for the presentation.

The Social Awareness Activity
The topic is wetland conservation, including information on wetland use and loss,
wetland protection and restoration efforts, and public attitudes and knowledge of the
value of wetlands. The group will investigate and analyze these questions: What are
wetlands? Why are wetlands important to the environment?
What is the overall
ecological health of wetlands in Panama and the United States? How do the United
States and Panama protect wetlands? What is the general public attitude and perceptions
of the value of wetlands? What is our responsibility as global citizens to protect and
restore wetlands?
Project timeline:
November 19, 2008

Groups are formed and communication initiated.

Roles are assigned to members. Topic is discussed.

Wikispace is established. Wikispace URL is submitted to teacher.

Individual Internet research begins and websites are collected on the Wikispace.
November 26, 2008

A list of prioritized websites, graphics, and other relevant information is posted on
the Wikispace.

An outline of the research information is posted to the Wikispace. Group
members will review and approve the outline..
Coordinator ensures this is
completed for Dec. 3.

Power point designer begins power point development.

Survey and power point development begins. Survey is posted and reviewed by
group members on the Wikispace. Coordinator ensures this is completed by Dec.
3.
December 3, 2008

Survey is distributed to classmates in Panama and the United States. Survey
designer compiles information and submits final data on a power point slide to the
power point designer. Coordinator ensures data is posted to the Wikispace and
submitted for power point publication before Dec. 10.

Final draft of power point is posted to the Wikispace. Editor reviews power point
for accuracy and viewing. All members review and approved the power point.

Groups designate roles for presentation on Dec. 10.
December 10, 2008
PRESENTATIONS DUE