Webquest on EU Enlargement

by

Janos Blasszauer

European Schoolnet

Introduction Task Resources Process Evaluation Conclusion


Introduction



This WebQuest encourages students to research the issue of EU enlargement. The students -based on their Web-based research- will determine their own personal position on this great historic event.

Students are kindly invited to:

- read biographies of people who have envisioned a better and united Europe and write a follow-up summary of what they learned.

- create a survey asking questions about the enlargement. Carry out the survey among their classmates, parents, "the man in the street" and reaching out even as far as the representative of the local council and the mayor. The responses should be then discussed.

- research EU institutions and learn the scope of their work.

- create a list of pro and con voices for the topic of enlargement.


The Task

Students should try to find answers to the following questions:

What is the European Union?

How many member states are there at present?

Do you know which countries will join the EU in 2004?

How can you balance national sovereignty with belonging to a wider Union?

Do you think it is as good idea to expand the Union?

What could be the advantages or disadvantages of it?

How might an agreed constitution help bring the EU together?

What are the implications of a country belonging to a wider political, social and economic grouping?

What different levels of identity as citizens do we have?

What does the following citizenship levels mean to you:

'home town citizen', 'national citizen', 'European citizen', 'world citizen'?

Explore the meaning of active citizenship!



Resources

Guardian Unlimited Special reports EU enlargement

EUROPA - The EU at a glance - The History of the European Union
Euroguide - to the European Union
EU Enlargement Information Campaign
BBC NEWS Europe The EU enlargement quiz
Enlargement quiz
EU-History Home Page
EUobserver
EUROPA - European Commission - Homepage
EUROPA - Your Voice in Europe - Home
EU Enlargement presented by the Euro Info Centre network
EU quizzes
Euroguide - to the European Union (webquest)
EUROPA The Future of the European Union - Debate
European Convention
Europa - Gateway to the European Union
EUROPEAN UNION IN BRIEF
European Voice - An Independent View of the EU
Foreign Policy Association - The European Union
Pioneers of European Unity
NEWROPEANS www.newropeans.org
Political Advertising
The European Union at a Glance
Webquest - Jean Monnet's Life and European History
WebQuest European Unity
Welcome to the Council's Website
The World Wide Web Virtual Library - History European History
Vote for the EU YOU want
www.PetitionOnline.com - Free Online Petition Hosting
Infopoll online survey software & resources
Zoomerang(survey)
SurveyMonkey.com - The easiest way to create online surveys.
free online polls and web site surveys by WebEnalysis
MisterPoll - indexPage
The Process

 

  1. Proceed to the Resource section so as to gather information that empowers you to answer the questions raised at the Task section. Use the recommended links to find out what the big issues are before the decision-makers here in Europe.

  2. Students will design political posters and/or write and deliver a political speech, and/or write and produce a political commercial. Students are encouraged to get engaged in a debate on the enlargement. They can also practice their fundamental human right: they can vote on a particular issue related to the enlargement and can even write a petition and ask their peers and the members of the local community to sign it. All these tasks can be done online! See "Resources" section.

  3. You can explore an actual or possible future area of conflict within the EU over the constitution or the use of the Euro. One can prepare for a debate on a particular issue as well. Students should take a standpoint in a debate and try to support their view(s) with facts.

  4. You are encouraged to watch regularly the TV news and to record the references made on the EU enlargement. Give mini-lectures, explaining why you think the particular stories were highlighted.


Evaluation

Evaluation Category
The final evaluation of your work will be based on the notes you make during the research process, and the performance you give at the debate session, and/or in your argumentative essay. Furthermore, if you create any kind of artifact (political commercial, design an online survey or online petition, carry out a vote on an issue etc. The quality of it/them will also add to the overall evaluation of your performance.


Conclusion

After having done the WebQuest students will most probably

- be able to list some arguments that are in favour of the EU enlargement

- will be able to describe the significance of this great historic event in the light of their better understanding of EU institutions, human rights, European citizenship, values etc.

- will be able to identify the role the EU plays in stabilising the region and improving the international relations between the member countries, as well as contributing to a more prosperous and peaceful era.

- will be able to list basic values that underpin the structure of the shaping new Europe

Last updated 26 January, 2004

Based on a template fromThe Webquest Page.