Webquest on EU Enlargement

by

"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." --Confuscius

Janos Blasszauer

European Schoolnet

Introduction Task Resources Process Evaluation Conclusion

Introduction

How many times one hears people talking about political issues and is totally lost in the conversation? Have you ever agreed with someone without really knowing enough about the subject to make up your own mind? An important part of being a citizen in the European Union is being a well-informed member of society. This webquest will help you learn how to go about forming your opinion and even defend it. You will be able to look up information and based on what you read to form your own opinion. The main point is that you will make well-informed statements about your topic! You have to imagine that you are a member of a debate group at your school and the group is preparing for a debate tournament. Prior to the contest you are notified that the debate will be on “EU Enlargement”. You can find some useful online materials in the Resource section so that you can preapare properly for this great event. You will work with a partner. You and your partner form a"debate team". Your task is to carry on a discussion, debate on the EU Enlargement. You will have to be either for the enlargement(the affirmative) or you will have to be against it(negative). Your teacher will assign the position you have to take by tossing a coin. You will deliver speeches in a format that is unique to debate. The speeches are called constructives. There are affirmative constructives and negative constructives. 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.

In order to accomplish your task well you must do some research and get as familiar with the topic as possible. The tasks are the following: position to be formulated and defended; complexity to be analyzed; personal insight to be articulated; summary to be created; persuasive speech to be crafted; You may use your peers', local people's opinions on the issue therefore you could make good use of surveys. When carrying out the research and your survey don't forget to take some notes about your findings so that you can present the information later to the audience. Students should try to find answers to the following questions:

1. The teacher will assign students to groups of three. Groups will then be asked to pick one of the following topics to address in their project: (no two groups may choose the same topic)First you'll be assigned to a team of 4 students. You will have to read some online materials - they have already been collected for you- so as to get yourself familiar with the topic of enlargement. After having developed proper background information on the topic you will be invited to get started for the debate. You will have to represent either the affirmative or the negative sides. The group will present the issue to the class in the form of a "point, counter point" debate. When delivering your speech or presentation you could make use of flowchart, summary tables, concept maps, Powerpoint or any other multimedia devices.

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.

- 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