An Internet WebQuest on the use of Drug among Students in NYC Schools.

WebQuest created by Jacqueline Trapp-Thomas

INTRODUCTION:

As you walk to summer school on a warm summer day, you see some guys playing basketball on the court. You stopped for fifteen minutes to watch the game. While watching the game, you looked towards the far side of the court and saw two of your friends speaking to two other guys from the hood. After a brief conversation, they all left together. Looking at you three way pager, you noticed that your friends were gone for five minutes. Upon their return, your friends strolled towards you and asked what up. You responded that you are just killing time before school. They inform you that they just bought a bag of cocaine and asked if you want to join them to get HIGH. As you stood there, visions flash through your head of all the good and bad things that you have heard about using drugs. Is the temptation to do drugs with your friends strong (Yes) or weak (No)?

In the New York City school system there is an excessive use of drugs and many students are faced with peer pressure to use drugs. Can you say no to drugs? Is it cool to be around friends or family who do drugs? Do you think using drugs affects your overall performance?

You are school detective(s), how can you help prevent the use of drugs in your school?

A Detective’s Quest.

1. You must find out exactly what drug is being used in your school.

2. You must investigate how extensive is drug being used in your school.

3. You must research the advantage and disadvantage of drug use.

4. You must research what is the current public policy in regards to drug use.

5. You must use the Public Policy Analysis developed by the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.

6. You must decide whether the use of drugs is good or bad.

The Process used by the Detective(s).

On your quest, you will participate in a variety of strategies to enable you to reach a valid conclusion.

· You will complete the step by step worksheets 1 to 6 created by the TIPS PPA Website.

a. Worksheet 1 - Define the Problem Identify what is the nature of the problem.

b. Worksheet 2 - Gather Evidence Gather evidence to support the existence of the problem.

c. Worksheet 3 - Identify cause Determine the cause and factors contributing to the problem.

d. Worksheet 4 - Evaluate policy Evaluate the existing policy.

e. Worksheet 5 - Develop solutions Develop and consider some public policy that you can create to correct the problem.

f. Worksheet 6 - Select best solutions Determine the best policy to correct the problem.

· You will work in a group of three. Each detective will be responsible for a part of the quest assigned.

· You will present your findings of the quest in an oral report.

· You will submit a written summary of your quest.

· You will use links to the websites listed below to complete this assignment.

Resources

Drug definition

Drug use study

No drugs

A social history of America’s most popular drugs.

Understanding the Psychological Effects of Street Drugs

How to say no to alcohol and other drugs

America’s War on Drugs

The real Traffic of drugs in America

Trafficking in Human beings

Drug abuse and demand reduction

Analysis and Statistics on drug

Attention to Prevention

Licit and Illicit Drug use

Evaluation

You will be assessed by your efforts. The Rubric Chart will be a checklist to assist you in accomplishing your various tasks.

Rubric Checklist

0-9% = Sucks

10-49% = Poor

50-69% = Average

70-89% = Good

90-100% = Excellent

1. Research and Gather Information. (1-10%)

2. Complete assigned duties. (1-10%)

3. Share ideas with group. (1-10%)

4. Considers and values other Group members Viewpoints. (1-10%)

5. Covers a wide variety of knowledge of the topic. (1-10%)

6. Presentation shows detailed planning and is very clear. (1-20%)

7. Valid explanations or reasons given for conclusion. (1-10%)

8. Written summary is very clear and highly useful. (1-20%)

Standards

Upon completion of the Quest, the following New York City Standards will be addressed.

1. S5a Demonstrates skill in scientific inquiry and problem solving by using thoughtful questioning and reasoning to distinguish cause and effect.

2. S5b Uses concepts from Science Standards 1 to 4 to explain a variety of observations and phenomena.

3. S5e Identifies problems, proposes and implements solutions and evaluates the accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations.

4. S5f Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas.

5. S6d Acquires information from multiple sources, such as the Internet.

6. S8d Demonstration of scientific competence by completing secondary research.

Conclusion

At the end of your Quest, you will have a better understanding of peer pressure and “Oops its just drugs but should I use it?” You will understand the consequences that Drug has on a community. You will present a valid and successful means to assist in getting rid of Drugs. You will also learn how to use the Internet to help research topics that can assist you with your community in the Quest to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.