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Web assignments
March 2002
ASSIGNMENT 1
Marijuana around the world
ICT
Scanning
Note taking
Discussion
Presentation
Individual/group work
180 minutes
In the March issue of Alquin magazine, you read about the furore surrounding Prince Harry's use of marijuana. The discovery of Prince Harry's fondness for the soft (though still illegal in the UK) drug has renewed public debate about the British government's policy on marijuana.
The Netherlands is renowned for its policy regarding soft drugs. It doesn't mean that all Dutch people are happy with this policy. What is your opinion on the issue? Do you agree with that soft drugs should be tolerated or do you believe that all drugs should be illegal?
The purpose of this activity is for you and your group to do some research on the status of marijuana around the world. Depending on your attitude towards soft drugs, you will gather information that either supports the arguments for the legalisation of marijuana or supports those people and groups who insist that marijuana remain illegal. Once your group has collected plenty of information, you will discuss what you have learned.
After sharing what you have learned, and discussing the various issues involved, your group will prepare a short presentation (+/- 10 minutes). In this presentation you will explain to the class what you learned and what you discussed.
In order to show your teacher that you have looked at a number of websites you will need to write down the names and addresses of the websites you visit and keep your notes (you will have to hand these in).
Start off by reading the article about the opening of the first UK coffee shop at http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2088.html
This website contains a link to a cannabis news site, where you can click on either a topic or region for more information (just go to the bottom of the page and click on 'world news'). It is probably a good idea to assign each group member to a different world region in order to collect lots of information as efficiently as possible.
Other sites, which are interesting and/or useful, are listed below.
For the legalisation of marijuana:
http://www.csdp.org/ads/policecan.htm
http://www.ndsn.org/SUMMER99/MEDMJ3.html
Against the legalisation of marijuana:
http://www.drugwatch.org/index.html
http://www.health.org/reality/
TIP: Remember that you can use an on-line English dictionary to help you cope with medical or specialised terms: http://www.m-w.com
ASSIGNMENT 2
Blood sports
ICT
Scanning
Note taking
Essay writing
Peer evaluation
Individual work/pair work
180 minutes
You read about hare coursing in the March issue of Alquin magazine. Hare coursing is one of many controversial bloodsports which involve the hunting and killing of animals for fun.
The purpose of this activity is to do some research into the arguments for and against bloodsports. Regardless of your own opinion, you need to investigate different perspectives on the issue, in order to write a persuasive essay.
The topic of the essay is taken from an anti-hare coursing website (http://www.advocatesforanimals.org.uk/campaigns/hare_hunting.htm) After attending a hare coursing event one journalist commented:
"Games with victims are no games at all."
After doing your research, you need to write an essay in response to this comment. You can either agree or disagree with the comment, but you need to support your opinion with evidence.
1. Start off by looking through the following websites. Obviously, you can investigate any links and also search for other related websites.
For bloodsports:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_208000/208546.stm
http://www.mfha.co.uk/
http://www.countryside-alliance.org/cfh/
http://www.countryside-alliance.org/edu/edu2-3-5cour.htm
Against bloodsports:
http://hsa.enviroweb.org/features/hcleaf.html
http://www.uwosh.edu/organizations/alag/
http://www.league.uk.com/cruelsports/other/
2. Once you have gathered enough information, create an essay plan. You are ready to start working on your essay after you have made a thorough, detailed plan.
For extra tips on writing a good essay, visit: http://www.write-an-essay.com
Your essay should be around 500 words long (one A4 sheet of paper).
3. When you have finished exchange essays with a partner. Evaluate your partner's essay according to the following criteria:
Is his/her opinion stated clearly in the opening paragraph?
Does he/she respond to the assigned essay topic?
Do sentences follow on smoothly from one another or has he/she simply made a list of arguments?
Does the essay show evidence of research?
Is punctuation used correctly?
Is there evidence of proof reading (e.g. are there many spelling mistakes)?
Has he/she used a wide range of vocabulary?
Has he/she ended the essay with a conclusion?
How convincing is the essay?
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