Intro · Question · Rubric · Background · QuickQuest · Roles · Group · Conclusion · Help · Dictionary

Nobody knows what's going to happen to the new global economy or what the long-term effect of a huge national debt might be. Stuff like this has never happened before. So how can you wrap your head around what the future holds? Why not put more than one head together? By working as a team, you and a group of peers can work cooperatively to answer the question:

What's so big about a $7 trillion dollar debt?

In other words:

Is having a $7 trillion national debt a problem? Why or why not?

What should your U.S. government representatives do about this situation?

To help shape your ideas into a solid answer, you'll look at the questions from four different roles, then combine what you know into an argument that persuades your congressional representatives to consider your opinion.

You may communicate your ideas the best way you see fit. Perhaps you will write an email message, send a FAX, post a Web page, or send a letter? Maybe you can call your senator's office or pay a visit and speak with one of their support staff? Maybe you'll write a petition and collect signatures asking your lawmakers to take specific action? Let your creativity and best thinking guide your choices and final product.

The main thing is that you and your teammates achieve a well-thought out answer to the question above and that you get feedback on your ideas from someone in the real world.

The Rubric will give you some idea of how you can assess your performance on three key parts to completing this WebQuest successfully.

Created May, 1996. Last revised February, 2005 by Tom March, tom at ozline dot com Applications Design Team/Wired Learning http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/democracy/task.html Copyright © 1996 - 2005 SBC Communications -- All Rights Reserved