Will Big Brother Be Watching YOU?

1
Will Big Brother Be Watching YOU?

• A WebQuest for Grade 12
• Relating 1984 to Todays Schools
• Designed by Barbara J. Moore
• b_moore_at_minster.k12.oh.us
• EDTL 695 - Summer 2008
• Creating WebQuests for the K-12 Classroom
• Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

• Opening Thoughts
• The Overarching Question
• Goal
• Introduction
• Task
• Resources
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Standards
• Citations
• Teacher Notes

2
Opening Thoughts

• Erich Fromm concludes his afterword to 1984 with
  the following words
• Orwell, like the authors of the other negative
  utopias, is not a prophet of disaster. He wants
  to warn and to awaken us. . . . Books like
  Orwells are powerful warnings, and it would be
  most unfortunate if the reader smugly interpreted
  1984 as another description of Stalinist
  barbarism, and if he does not see that it means
  us, too.

3
The Overarching Question

• Having read George Orwells 1984,
  students are now ready to examine its warning and
  see if it applies to modern societythe world in
  which they live. If they could stop Big Brother
  before he starts watching, would they? Here and
  now, in their school? Or, would they choose to
  invite him in?

4
Goal

• In order to examine the relevance of Orwells
  famous satire to their time and lives, students
  will peruse current events articles on the Web,
  answer questions, and prepare a PowerPoint
  project for presentation.

5
Introduction

• You have been selected by the Board of Education
  to serve on the Electronic Surveillance
  Exploratory Committee. Your task is to explore
  current trends and practices in school electronic
  surveillance, weigh the advantages and
  disadvantages of a high school electronic
  surveillance system, and prepare a recommendation
  to the Board regarding possible adoption of a
  surveillance system for our high school.

6
Task

• Your committee will consist of four members, each
  representing a highly valued segment of our
  community. The four of you will collaborate in
  researching the Web in order to provide the Board
  with current information and ideas about
  electronic surveillance systems in high schools.
  
•  
• You have been provided with preliminary questions
  and suggested websites. After perusing the
  websites and compiling answers to the questions,
  you will create a PowerPoint presentation for the
  next Board meeting. The meeting is expected to
  be well attended by members of the community.
  Some individuals have already expressed support
  for modernizing our schools technology others
  have raised questions about whether any
  electronic surveillance in our schools would be
  an Orwellian intrusion. Please be prepared to
  address these concerns, answer questions, and
  provide honest opinions. Above all, be prepared
  to support your position on this question
  Should our school implement an electronic
  surveillance system?

7
Resources

• These instructions
• Your copy of 1984
• Computer with Internet access and PowerPoint
  software, available both in class and outside of
  class
• The websites listed at the end of these
  instructions under Citations
• Your fellow committee members
• Your willingness to plan ahead and collaborate
  for the good of yourself and others

8
Process

• Your committee consists of four members, each
  representing a highly valued segment of our
  community. (You may select your position or draw
  lots.)
•  
• Student You will be sure to consider the
  interests and concerns regarding electronic
  surveillance from a students point of view.
• Administrator You will be sure to consider the
  interests and concerns of staff members,
  principals, and superintendent.
• Parent You will be sure to consider the
  interests and concerns regarding electronic
  surveillance from a parents point of view.
• Vendor You are a local technology expert and a
  professional salesperson you would like to sell
  electronic surveillance equipment to the school.
  Be sure to bring your interests and concerns to
  the discussions.

9
Process, continued

• After determining roles, work together with your
  fellow committee members to answer all of the
  following six questions. Suggested websites are
  supplied for each question. Be sure, however,
  that each member seeks out the answer from his or
  her selected perspective different individuals
  tend to see selectively and think along different
  lines. The Board wants to be sure all
  perspectives are represented in the final
  presentation.
• You will be given one class period in which to
  meet, select roles, discuss the project, and
  begin working on computers . Then you will have
  a week to work on your own. Next, you will meet
  again in class to share responses and draw
  conclusions. You will be given several class
  daysor more, as long as you use your time
  constructivelyto design your PowerPoint
  presentation and to practice your delivery. The
  project will be due three weeks from the day it
  was assigned.

10
Process,continued Question 1

• What is the current trend in electronic
  surveillance in schools or on school property?
  Can you identify at least five school systems
  that have already installed such systems?

• Selected websites about schools with electronic
  systems
• School district installs cameras in every class,
  hall http//www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/08/12/class
  room.cameras.ap/
• Eye on school security surveillance cameras
  http//www.wsav.com/midatlantic/sav/news/educ_.apx
  .-content-articles-SAV-2008-02-27-0020.html
• Saginaw Township schools replaces bus cameras
  http//www.mlive.com/saginawnews/news/index.ssf/20
  08/06/saginaw_township_schools_repla.html
• School security cameras go cutting edge
  http//www.usatoday.co/news/nation/2007-11-01-scho
  ol-cameras_N.htm
• More cameras used in school bathrooms
  http//www.prisonplanet.com/articles/december2005/
  221205morecameras.htm
• Quiet installation of cameras in Newton schools
  sparks debate http//www.boston.com/news/education
  /k_12/articles/2008/01/15/quiet_installation_of_ca
  meras_in_newton_schools_sparks_debate/
• Sign of times NJ school cameras fed live to cops
  http//wcbstv.com/technology/surveillance.dem
  arest.cameras.2.565939.html

11
Process,continued Question 2

• 2. What is the extent of surveillance within
  schools? Where are the cameras installed, and
  what is being seen?

• Selected websites about what is being surveyed in
  schools
• School district installs cameras in every class,
  hall http//www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/08/12/class
  room.cameras.ap/
• School security cameras go cutting edge
  http//www.usatoday.co/news/nation/2007-11-01-scho
  ol-cameras_N.htm
• More cameras used in school bathrooms
  http//www.prisonplanet.com/articles/december2005/
  221205morecameras.htm
• School removes CCTV cameras from children's
  toilets after furious protest from parents
  http//www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-517250/Sch
  ool-removes-CCTV-cameras-childrens-toilets-furious
  -protest-parents.html
• Saginaw Township schools replaces bus cameras
  http//www.mlive.com/saginawnews/news/index.ssf/20
  08/06/saginaw_township_schools_repla.html

12
Process,continued Question 3

• 3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of
  a school electronic surveillance system? Who
  wants surveillance and for what reasons? Who
  does not want it and for what reasons? Be sure
  you provide developed, supported, and fair
  responses. Quotations are encouraged!

• Selected websites about the desirability of
  school surveillance
• Video surveillance cameras in schools --
  addressing student safety and security
  http//www.video-surveillance-guide.com/video-surv
  eillance-cameras-in-schools.htm
• School district installs cameras in every class,
  hall http//www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/08/12/class
  room.cameras.ap/
• Cameras trace students every move
  http//www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/17/eveningn
  ews/main584085.shtml
• Sign of times NJ school cameras fed live to cops
  http//wcbstv.com/technology/surveillance.dem
  arest.cameras.2.565939.html
• School removes CCTV cameras http//www.dailymail.c
  o.uk/news/article-517250/School-removes-CCTV-camer
  as-childrens-toilets-furious-protest-parents.html
• Eye on school security surveillance cameras
  http//www.wsav.com/midatlantic/sav/news/educ_.apx
  .-content-articles-SAV-2008-02-27-0020.html
• Should we install classroom surveillance cameras
  to reduce discipline problems?
  http//www.nea.org/neatoday/0401/debate.htmlno

13
Process,continued Question 4

• What do government officials say?
• According to government statistics, do many high
  school students face significant threats or
  dangers while at school?
• What position do government officials outside of
  the school hold? Do police officers support such
  systems? What about the U.S. Department of
  Justice? How about the U.S. Department of
  Education?

• Links to websites with information from
  government officials
• Indicators of school crime and safety 2007.
  (Note This hyperlink can be difficult to use
  you may need to use a search engine and type the
  URL .) http//nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators
  /crimeindicators2007
• Sign of times NJ school cameras fed live to cops
  http//wcbstv.com/technology/surveillance.dem
  arest.cameras.2.565939.html
• Video cameras in school? A look at video
  surveillance from the DOJ viewpoint. (Note This
  hyperlink can be difficult to use you may need
  to use a search engine and type the URL .)
  http//www.camerasecuritynow.com/Department_of_Jus
  tice_on_Cameras_inSchools.asp

14
Process,continued Question 5

• Links to websites about advanced surveillance
• Students kept under surveillance at school
  http//www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f/c/a/2
  005/02/10/BAGG0B8I4D1.DTLhwstudentskeptunders
  urveillancesn001sc1000
• Brave new world of school security
  http//search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?directtrue
  dbtfhAN27746710loginpageLogin.aspsiteehost
  -live

• 5. What might the future of school surveillance
  systems hold beyond camera systems? Are there
  any schools using other surveillance systems?

15
Process,continued Question 6

• 6. Do you consider electronic surveillance too
  Orwellian for school? As individuals and as
  members of this committee, do you support
  electronic surveillance in your school? Why or
  why not? What are the most important
  considerations affecting your decision?

16
Process Final Step

• Using the answers to the above questions as a
  guide, the committee members next create and
  deliver a PowerPoint presentation based on the
  responses. The presentation should be to the
  point, attractive, clear, and easy to read. Use
  your best public speaking skills. Be sure to
  include a list of your works cited.

17
Evaluation

• Visual Appeal 10
• 0-4 points 5-7 points 8-10 points
• The graphics are The graphics are The
  graphics are
• inappropriate or appropriate but
  few appropriate and
• nonexistent. or uninteresting attractive.
  The text is
• The text may be they do little to enhance
  easy to read. Overall,
• difficult to read. the content. The text the
  visuals enhance
• is somewhat the presentation.
• or sometimes
• difficult to read.

18
Evaluation, cont.

• Writing Conventions 10
• 0-4 points 5-7 points 8-10 points
• The presentation Occasional errors There are
  few or no
• contains many errors distract the
  reader. errors . The overall
• in spelling, grammar, The overall
  style language usage is
• and/or punctuation. is satisfactory but mature
  and
• The overall style is uneven. effective.
• immature,
• incomprehensible
• or unacceptable.

19
Evaluation, cont.

• Organization 5
• 0-2 points 3-4 points 5 points
• The content is The content is The content is
• poorly organized somewhat clearly and
  effectively
• and difficult disorganized or organized. Oral
  and
• to follow. sometimes visual transitions or
• Transitions and/or difficult to headings are
  easy
• headings are absent follow. More to follow.
  The flow
• or confusing. transitions or headings enhances
  the
• are needed. Presentation.

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Evaluation, cont.

• Content 45
• 0-19 points 20-34 points 35-45 points
• Few or none of the questions Most of the
  questions are All of the questions are
• are answered, answered, but some answered,
  and most are
• most unsatisfactorily. unsatisfactorily. answere
  d well.
• There is little or no evidence It is evident
  that some It is evident that many
• that any appropriate good resources have
  been resources, all appropriate,
• resources have been consulted, but they
  are have been consulted, and
• consulted and used unevenly or weakly used
  most have been
• for support . in support. used well in support.

21
Evaluation, cont.

• Content, cont.
• Few or none of the At least three of the All
  four of the
• required roles/ required roles/ required roles/
• perspectives are perspectives are perspectives
  are
• represented. represented although represented
  well.
• not fully, evenly, or well.

22
Evaluation, cont.

• Delivery 15
• 0-6 points 7-11 points 12-15 points
• Only one student Only two or three All four
  students
• handles the oral students speak
  much. contribute significantly
• delivery. to the delivery.
• Presenters are inappro- Presenters may be
  Presenters are dressed
• priately dressed for their appropriately dressed
  for appropriately for the
• roles and the event. There the occasion but not
  for occasion and for their
• is no role-play. their roles. The
  role-play roles. The role-play
• is weak or uneven. Is engaging.

23
Evaluation, cont.

• Delivery, cont.
• Public speaking basics Public speaking
  basics Public speaking skills
• (courtesy, volume, clarity, (courtesy, volume,
  clarity (courtesy, volume, clarity
• eye contact, etc.) are eye contact, etc.) are
  eye contact, etc.) are
• painfully lacking. uneven or evident and
  usually
• underdeveloped. polished. The presenters
• are prepared and
• effective.

24
Evaluation, cont.

• Citations
• 0-4 points 5-7 points 8-10 points
• The presentation The presentation The
  presentation includes
• includes few or no includes nearly all all
  citations and the form
• citations. Form is citations even if is good
  to excellent.
• poor. the form is rough
• or incomplete.

25
Conclusion

• Congratulations! You have fulfilled your civic
  duty as a member of the Board of Educations
  Electronic Surveillance Exploratory Committee.
  The Board greatly appreciates your time, effort,
  and input. Board members will take your opinions
  under serious consideration before taking any
  further action, if any, on this matter.
• If you would like to view the surveillance tape
  made during your preparations for this project,
  please consult the superintendent.

26
Ohio Academic Content Standards for Grade 12

• Reading Process Concepts of Print,
  Comprehension Strategies and Self-Monitoring
  Strategies 1, 2, 3
• Reading Applications Informational, Technical
  and Persuasive Text 3
• Writing Applications 2, 3, 4
• Research 7
• Communication Oral and Visual 8

27
Teacher Notes

• All students and the teacher should read 1984
  before starting this project.
• Students should be experienced in research
  practices and PowerPoint applications.
• All listed websites were operational at the time
  these instructions were created. However,
  because the sites relate to current events, they
  may to go out of date or become nonfunctional at
  any time. Teachers should check in advance to be
  sure all sites are available and functional.
  Two hyperlinks were not always functional
  nonetheless, the sites were available.
• Teachers wishing to pursue a follow-up project
  may be interesting in an essay assignment
  Compose an essay at least two pages in length.
  Discuss the relevance of Orwells novel 1984 to
  the current trend in school electronic
  surveillance. Here are some aspects of the issue
  you may wish to include in your essay How does
  electronic surveillance in schools today compare
  with the electronic surveillance systems in
  Orwells novel 1984? Is the technology similar?
  Is the government involvement at all alike? Are
  the reasons for its existence at all alike? In
  the WebQuest articles you read, were any of the
  objections consistent with the warnings of the
  novel 1984? How might an aspiring Big Brother
  (or members of the Inner Party) make use of
  electronic surveillance in todays schools? Do
  you believe George Orwell would object to todays
  surveillance in schools? Why or why not? How
  relevant are his views to your decision as an
  individual to support (or not) electronic
  surveillance in your school? Be sure you include
  in-text citations and a works-cited page.

28
Citations, Including Student Resources

• Cameras trace students every move. (2003,
  November 17). CBS News. Retrieved July 14, 2008
  from http//www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/17/eve
  ningnews/main584085.shtml
• Dow, Jay. (2007, November 12). Sign of times
  NJ school cameras fed live to cops. WCBSTV.com.
  Retrieved July 14, 2008, from http//wcbstv.com/t
  echnology/surveillance.demarest.cameras.2.565939.h
  tml
• Frank, Thomas. (2007, November 1). School
  security cameras go cutting edge Electronic
  version. USA Today. Retrieved July 14, 2008,
  from http//www.usatoday.co/news/nation/2007-11-0
  1-school-cameras_N.htm
• Fromm, Eric. (1977). Afterword. In 1984 by
  George Orwell. New York Signet.
• Hempel, Randi. (2008, February 7). Eye on
  school security surveillance cameras. WSAV.com
  On Your Side. Retrieved July 14, 2008, from
  http//www.wsav.com/midatlantic/sav/news/educ_.apx
  .-content-articles-SAV-2008-02-27-0020.html
• Indicators of school crime and safety 2007.
  (2007, December). Institute of Education
  Sciences National Center for Education
  Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. Note
  Although the hyperlink does not work well, the
  article may be retrieved by typing the URL into a
  search engine. Retrieved July 14, 2008, from
  http//nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/crimei
  ndicators2007
• Jones, Alex. (2005, December 22). More cameras
  used in school bathrooms. Prison Planet.com.
  Retrieved July 14, 2008, from http//www.prisonpla
  net.com/articles/december2005/221205morecameras.ht
  m

29
Citations,cont.

• Mitchel, Corey. (2008, June 10). Saginaw
  Township schools replaces bus cameras Electronic
  version. The Saginaw News . Retrieved July 14,
  2008, from http//www.mlive.com/saginawnews/news/i
  ndex.ssf/2008/06/saginaw_township_schools_repla.ht
  ml
• Lucas, Greg. (2005, February 10). Sutter
  County Students kept under surveillance at
  school. SFGate. Retrieved July 14, 2008, from
  http//www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f/c/a/2
  005/02/10/BAGG0B8I4D1.DTL
• Orwell, George. (1949). 1984. (1977 ed.).
  New York Signet.
• Osborn, Alice. (2005, August 17). Video
  surveillance cameras in schools -- addressing
  student safety and security. Video Surveillance
  Guide. Retrieved July 14, 2008, from
  http//www.video-surveillance-guide.com/video-surv
  eillance-cameras-in-schools.htm
• Quiet installation of cameras in Newton schools
  sparks debate Electronic version. The Boston
  Globe. Retrieved July 14, 2008, from
  http//www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles
  /2008/01/15/quiet_installation_of_cameras_in_newto
  n_schools_sparks_debate/
• Renwick, Lucille. (2007, December). Brave new
  world of school security. District Profile
  School District of Manatee County (Fla.).
  Retrieved July 14, 2008. http//search.ebscohost.c
  om/login.aspx?directtruedbtfhAN27746710login
  pageLogin.aspsiteehost-live

30
Citations, cont.

• School district installs cameras in every class,
  hall. (2003, August 13). CNN Student News.
  Retrieved July 14, 2008, from http//www.cnn.com/2
  003/EDUCATION/08/12/classroom.cameras.ap/
• School removes CCTV cameras from children's
  toilets after furious protest from parents.
  (2008, February 21). Mail Online. Retrieved
  July 14, 2008, from http//www.dailymail.co.uk/n
  ews/article-517250/School-removes-CCTV-cameras-chi
  ldrens-toilets-furious-protest-parents.html
• Should we install classroom surveillance cameras
  to reduce discipline problems? (2004, January).
  Neatoday. Retrieved July 14, 2008, from
  http//www.nea.org/neatoday/0401/debate.htmlno
• Video cameras in school? A look at video
  surveillance from the DOJ viewpoint. (n.d.).
  Camera Security Now. Note This hyperlink can
  be difficult to use you may need to use a search
  engine and type the URL . http//www.camerasecu
  ritynow.com/Department_of_Justice_on_Cameras_inSch
  ools.asp
• Note All graphics were obtained from PowerPoint
  software.