The presidential election that comes around every four years is a gift for social science teachers. While I'm not teaching government this year and student interest is not nearly as intense as it was four years ago, it will still play a big part in our discussions.
This year I have organized live blogging sessions to take place during the presidential debates. A few of my colleagues and myself will be moderating the sessions on Edmodo while we watch the debates on TV. We will provide interesting tidbits through out (pop-up video style), point them to fact checking resources, and supply context to the dialogue that plays out. Students can ask questions and debate the candidate responses with each other. We will also be able to gauge opinions about some of the points brought up by inserting polls into the discussion thread. Students will be able to earn extra credit and custom badges for participation.
It is important that we model civil discourse and stress the importance of fact checking with the increasing amount of hot air that passes for news these days.
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