Project Objectives – Students will...
research PRO and CON positions on a technological topic in history
clearly and constructively support both of those positions in a research paper
analyze/prioritize arguments with a group in support of one side of their ethical issue
work with group partners to create professional, well-designed presentation slides
give a convincing and professional public presentation of their assigned position on the issue
Project Description
For this project, each students will be assigned a topic to research concerning the ethics of technology in history. See the Project Topic Page for the list of the specific topics.
Each student will write a paper of a minimum of 1000 words on their assigned topic and will present points supporting both sides of the ethical issue with factual information and statistical data whenever possible. See the Research Paper Assignment page for more details and examples of factual information and statistical data.
After individual papers have been submitted, students will be assigned to a PRO or CON group at their local school. The group will work together to decide the most important points supporting their side. Group members will design and present 1 to 2 presentation slides each, in conjunction with the group assigned to the opposite position. In other words, PROS will present along with CONS on a particular topic. While this project might have the appearance of a debate, the presentation is more about making a coordinated effort to present both sides of an issue well.
January 17 - Group and topic assignments go out to students. Students begin research.
January 17 - 24: Classes do Pre-Kickoff Activity and begin researching topics.
January 28 at FCHS - Kickoff: "Ethics in Technology" discussion, review project
February 7 - Notes Document due
February 21 - First Version of Research Paper due. This version should be submitted to TurnItIn.com several times before the Final Version is due so all issues can be resolved prior to the due date.
March 7:
All Final Version papers submitted to TurnItIn.com by 4:00 PM
"Pro" and "Con" assignments go out to students in AM
Groups begin work on presentations
March 28: GrNO Presentations shared with present@brvgs.k12.va.us and "locked down" - 4:00 PM
April 7: LM Presentations shared with present@brvgs.k12.va.us and "locked down" - 4:00 PM
April 14: FGo Presentations shared with present@brvgs.k12.va.us and "locked down" - 4:00 PM
(Note - presentations that have not been named or shared according to directions will lose points and may not be available!)
Presentation Dates
Greene, Nelson, and Orange: Wednesday, April 2 at Best Western
Louisa and Madison: Wednesday, April 9 at Best Western
Fluvanna and Goochland: Thursday, April 17 at Best Western
Grading will be based on individual effort and the group presentation.
See the "Grading and Rubrics" page for specific grading information.