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Web assignments
May 2002
ASSIGNMENT 1
National Geographic
ICT
Skimming
Summary writing
Individual work
60 minutes
In the May 2002 edition of Alquin magazine you read about photographer Steve McCurry's long search for 'the girl with the green eyes'. McCurry's original photograph was published on the cover of National Geographic magazine in 1984. The purpose of this assignment is for you to find out more about National Geographic magazine as well as practicing your skimming skills (getting the main idea of something). Finally, you will chose an article from the magazine's website to read, and will write a summary of the article to hand in to your teacher.
Start of by visiting the National Geographic website: http://news.nationalgeographic.com
PART A
Have a look around the website and consider the following questions:
1. What sort of information does the website offer the reader?
2. Are most of the articles current?
3. Are the articles about one particular country or are they international?
Once you have had a look around, return to the home page and answer the following questions:
1. What are the first five articles about?
2. In your opinion, what sort of people would visit this website? Explain your answer.
3. In you opinion, what sort of people would not visit this website? Explain your answer.
4. What sort of politics do you think National Geographic has (right-wing, left-wing, centre, green). Explain your answer.
PART B
Have another look around the website. This time you should look for a headline or introduction that sounds interesting to you. Choose one article and read it. As you read, take notes about the most important information contained in the text. Once you have finished, write a brief summary of the article. Include the title, author and date at the top of your summary. The length of the summary will depend upon the length of the article. Hand this in to your teacher with the answers to the previous questions.
Remember that it is easy to use an on-line dictionary when you read an article on the Internet. If you visit http://www.m-w.com you can also hear how the words are pronounced.
ASSIGNMENT 2
Twilight of the Gods
ICT
Skimming
Note taking
Writing activity (biography)
Individual work
60 minutes
In the May edition of Alquin magazine you read about the often sad and empty lives of former sporting heroes. The purpose of this activity is for you to do some research on the Internet about a former sporting hero you remember. Based on what you read and learn, you will write a short biography (or history) of his or her life.
1. Do some research. Use your favourite search engine to find as much information as you can about your chosen sporting hero. Try to find out about the person's life after sport as well as his or her sporting achievements. Skim through the websites and only spend time reading those that have useful and relevant information. By skimming, you save yourself time.
2. Make notes as you read. This helps you to remember the important things you have read. Be sure to make a note of the website you took your information from, so you can go back to it if you need some extra information.
3. Use you notes to make a timeline of the person's life.
4. Write a brief biography about your chosen sporting hero. Use around 400 words.
ASSIGNMENT 3
Mexican Spring Break
Note taking
Discussion
Individual/group work
40 minutes
You read about the antics of American students who head south to Mexico for their "spring break". Various websites exist especially to provide information about the best places to go...the purpose of this activity is for you to find out about some of the options available to American students and to decide, with a group of friends, the place you would most like to visit.
1. Start of by looking at the following websites:
http://www.springbreakworld.com
http://www.studentadvtrav.com
http://springbreak.studentcenter.org
2. Read about some of the different places you can visit which have a special "spring break" deal. Take some notes about the different places (the appealing and unappealing things). After reading about the most popular "spring break" destinations, you need to choose one place you would most like to visit. Make a list of your reasons for wanting to visit this particular place. You should also chose one place you definitely would not like to visit.
3. Get together with a group. Discuss your choice of location with your group. Be prepared to convince the members of your group that you have chosen the best location for your "spring break".
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