Inquiries Filed Under:

Internet

About the inquiry

This inquiry leads students through an examination of modern day United States and global politics by investigating the Internet’s role in either helping or hampering democratic processes. By investigating the compelling question, students consider the impact of increased access to information (and misinformation) on the political process, how it shapes political discourse on the individual and public level, its role in democratization of information on the global stage, as well as how students see these features impacting their own political interactions.

Compelling Question

Is the Internet Good for Democracy?

Staging Question

Read excerpts showing both the democratic ideal and negative impact of the Internet on democracy and consider why the ideal of increased access to information does not always reflect the reality

Supporting Question

How has the Internet impacted the democratic process in the United States?

Formative Tasks

Create a T-chart of the positive and negative impacts on the political process as a result of the public’s increased access to information.

Sources

Source A: “Americans’ Internet Access 2000-2015” Source B: “How the Internet Has Changed Politics” Source C: Interview: Anne Mintz, “Misinformation Superhighway”

Supporting Question

How has the Internet impacted democratic discourse in the United States?

Formative Tasks

Add the positive and negative impacts of the Internet on political discussion and personal interactions to the T-chart.

Sources

Source A: “How Social Media Is Reshaping News” Source B: “How Social Media Is Ruining Politics” Source C: “The Psychology of Online Comments”

Supporting Question

What impact does the Internet have on global democracy?

Formative Tasks

Add the positive and negative impacts of the Internet’s global impact on democracy to the T-chart.

Sources

Source A: Podcast: “Can the Internet Bring Democracy to China?” Source B: Video: “Impact of Social Media on the Arab Spring” Source C: “How Google Could Rig the 2016 Election” Source D: “Views about Internet Turn Negative”

Summative Performance Task

Argument: Construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline, poster, essay) that discusses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from contemporary sources while acknowledging competing views.

Extension: Students assess their own social media and Internet usage to develop and support a claim on how the Internet has impacted their own political interactions.

Taking Informed Action

No data found.

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