Peer Review

Current Events eLessons

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: May 27, 2023 by History

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This website features primary source material including newspaper articles about current constitutional issues facing the United States today.
Type of Material:: Collection
Recommended Uses:: Most of the lesson plans are best used in-class and provide topics for discussion rather than activities per se. The readings could be assigned as homework and the discussion questions answered the following class period.
Technical Requirements:: Browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The major learning goal is to get students to engage with the Bill of Rights in a meaningful way and understand the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and other foundational documents.
Target Student Population:: The target student population is really high school students, grades 9 through 12.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Students should have a familiarity with the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the events of the twenty-first century.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: I think that the primary sources used in the lesson plans are relatively balanced, and the controversial topics are handled well. It highlights key constitutional amendments.
Concerns:: I do not see nay deficiencies in the quality of the contents.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Outstanding tools because explores current topical issues

Again, the controversial topics are handled well. The lesson plans include discussion questions that force students to think deeply about the issues and challenges facing the United States.

Concerns:

videos are good but reading is much faster

The lesson plans are not consistent. Some are activity-based, but others are just primary sources and discussion questions. I would have liked to have seen a consistent format. But this criticism is minor.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The materials are accessible and readable. The site is easy to navigate.
Concerns:: videos are good but reading is much faster

Other Issues and Comments:: It is important to note that new lesson plans are added each week and feature the latest headlines or timely issues.
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