Research+Remix+(Persuasive)

Are you looking for ideas to transform your research projects to better meet the needs and interests of your tech-savvy students without requiring a lot of "tech know how" on your part? Check this out!

Research Remix: Persuasive

Instead of the traditional persuasive essay/research report, why not let your students choose from this menu of options to create a campaign that incorporates real world strategies for shaping public opinion and calling people to action, using Web 2.0 tools as appropriate. Also, check out DoSomething.org. Their materials for starting a community action project will help your students with tips for most of these choices.

(For a copy of this document with links to the actual sites rather than to the Teach.Web.Two.Oh! pages that describe the resources, click here)

Campaign for Change (See Our Glog of Examples)

Advertisement: Create a Public Service Announcement that could appear online, in print, on TV or on the radio (Use iMovie, WeVideo or for an animated version, try @Xtranormal. For audio, try @Cinch).

Blog: A blog allows the average person to share their opinions, comment on news stories, share links and tell stories. Create a blog that's focused on the issue you care about (try Blogger).

Bumper Sticker/Button: These make a big statement with just a few words, usually with humor or clever plays on words. (Try @MakeStickers.com and take a screen capture of your creation).

Children's Book:Use words and pictures to explain your issue using descriptions a child would understand. Make your own children's book on paper or online with Blurb Bookify.

Comic/Political Cartoon: If you’re the artistic type, then you might consider making your point through a comic or political cartoon on paper or with a tool like ToonDoo.

Creative Writing: Write a fable, a series of poems or other creative work that will educate people about your cause. Turn your creation into a flippable online magazine with @Youblisher.

Documentary: If you're a budding videographer, consider making a documentary about your subject (Use iMovie or WeVideo)

Editorial/Letter to Editor: Write a persuasive letter for a newspaper.

Event planning: Use Foursquare to plan an event for your cause.

Facebook page: Any good campaign these days has a presence on social media, like Facebook. Create a page to support your cause. (Try @ClassTools.Net's Fake Book creator).

How To Guide/List: Give step-by-step instructions or create a list of ideas that could be followed to support your cause.

Letter (Fundraising or letter to government official): Write a letter that explains why a person or business should donate money or why/how a government official can support your cause.

Logo/Slogan: Create a "brand" for your cause/organization. (Try the @OnlineLogoMaker).

Media Kit/Press release: Create a packet of information that includes all the information a reporter would need (fact sheet, press releases, etc.).

Photo essay: A picture is worth a thousand words, so select powerful images to get across your point (Try @Animoto).

Presentation: Use a presentation tool such as Prezi or SlideRocket to inform/persuade the audience of your choice.

Song lyrics: Budding musicians should consider writing (and possibly recording) a song about their issue.

Speech: Write a speech that you could deliver. Be sure to consider your audience.

Tshirt design: Combine words and visuals to create a walking advertisement for your cause (Try @CustomInk online tshirt designer)

Tweet: Plan a series of tweets (140 characters or less) to keep people considering your message. Use Twister on @ClassTools.Net to create fake tweets.

Website: Use @GoogleSites for an easy-to-create website for your cause.

Examples from middle school science students: Climate Change Prezi Deforestation Pecha Kucha (see Humanities & Environment Project description in the Handout below)