Report #4
FIPP Activity Report
Funded by the Basic Skills Initiative
Name Christina Gold
Date 1/29/10
FIPP Partner Juli Soden
Section #History 1B - 2312
Activity /Strategy Wise Choice Process
Category Providing Feedback and Evaluation
Briefly describe the activity/strategy.
1. Introduction
This activity adapts the On Course Wise Choice Process. Rather than assessing
their personal decisions, students consider the historical context, choices and
outcomes of decisions made by past American leaders. Students consider
whether the choices led to the intended results and think about what choice they
would have made if they were in the same position as the leader. In this activity,
students evaluated the choices and decisions made by George Bush pertaining
to Iraq and the related war.
2. Set up & Supplies Computer, internet access, data projector, speakers and
handouts.
3. Directions
.1. Students read a handout which provides information about the choices facing
George Bush before entering the Iraq War.
2. Students read related news articles and watch a portion of a contemporary
speech by President Barak Obama.
3. Students learn about the historical context and consider the options that were
available to President George Bush.
4. Students consider Bush's decision and the consequences.
5. After carefully considering the consequences of Bush's decisions, students
assess whether Bush made the "wisest choice."
6. Students "pair and share" their ideas with partners.
7. The Instructor and class discuss George Bush's decision and the outcome.
8. Students submit their work for grading.
4. Conclusion The activity requires silent, individual work as well as discussion.
What worked well? This activity leads students to understand the important role that
options and choices play in our nation Historical trends are influenced by layers of
decisions made by American leaders and the public. Some of these decisions are wise,
and are some not. Students consider the factors that determine the decisions made by
leaders and citizens. Students learn that history is not a foregone conclusion, it is the
result of endless choices made by many people.
What would you change? I would give more time for students to read and consider the
primary sources in order to effectively analyze and consider their answers. I would also
provide more background information about foreign policy and the Middle East.
Would you use the activity/strategy again? Why or why not? I will use this assignment
again because it leads students to consider the complex historical contexts and
possibilities that shape major decisions made by our national leaders.
Please describe any student learning outcomes/changes that you observed after the
implementation of the activity/strategy. This activity addresses the history program and
course SLOs which ask students to develop and argue an original historical thesis
based on the analysis of primary and/or secondary sources. Students develop and
argue a thesis about whether or not entering the Iraq War was a wise choice, and they
support their thesis using evidence from the sources.