How to give a 20 minute lesson to High Schoolers about Net Neutrality?

[Jahgee]

This Friday, as a part of the final project in my Participation in Government class, I will be teaching about a current issue in our country. I picked the issue of Net Neutrality.

As for the background of the class, most of them today either have dial up or rely on data plans to use the internet. The class itself is very small, I'll be teaching

I'd like to show how the most popular things people use on the internet would be slowed down by the removal of Net Neutrality, and I'll be showing the video TotalBiscuit made about Net Neutrality, as he describes it very well and quickly, but I'm open to other options provided by you.

 

[Techy]

Well, this is your assignment. Since it's a final project and will probably count, you're asking a little too much on something you should do mostly by yourself. If you're asking for general pointers, then that's fine.

 

[Jahgee]

Well, this is your assignment. Since it's a final project and will probably count, you're asking a little too much on something you should do mostly by yourself. If you're asking for general pointers, then that's fine.

I've got it mostly done, I'm really just seeing if there's any simple things to put in that slipped my mind when planning it

 

[Beeblebrox237]

The actual teaching bit isn't too hard. Assuming they respect you already, then just be a more authoritative, surefooted version of yourself. Be prepared, but don't be boring. Humour always helps, and some kind of activity to get everyone to participate is always useful. As a student, you generally know how you like to be taught. This is your chance to show the teacher how it's done.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Show up ten minutes late. Explain that the delay is a metaphor for what they'd have to deal with if Net Neutrality ceases to be a thing. Bring a mic so that you may drop it.

 

[Jahgee]

Show up ten minutes late. Explain that the delay is a metaphor for what they'd have to deal with if Net Neutrality ceases to be a thing. Bring a mic so that you may drop it.

That's just crazy enough to work, I'll ask the teacher if I can do that (But probably not 10 minutes, I'd probably end up waiting 5)

 

[W3H5]

5 minute warm up/ introduction, 10 minutes of talking about your topic, 5 minutes of questions from the class.

Sorted.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I'd like to show how the most popular things people use on the internet would be slowed down by the removal of Net Neutrality, and I'll be showing the video TotalBiscuit made about Net Neutrality, as he describes it very well and quickly, but I'm open to other options provided by you.

Speaking as an actual teacher, the first thing that you need to do is establish the students' schema - that is, what they already know about the subject - and use it as a starting point. For your purposes, figuring out what you can reasonably assume that they already know should be enough.

In terms of the actual delivery of content, you're on the right track - taking the issue to the class and making it immediately relevant to them should be pretty effective. I would, however, avoid showing them the video. It's great that you have found it, but you're being assessed on your understanding of the topic first and foremost. How well you communicate that understanding and how much the class takes in will be a measure of your success. But if I am the one marking the assessment task, I'm going to see you relying on that video and straight away I will ask myself whether you're really demonstrating your understanding, or if you're demonstrating someone else's understanding. All you're really doing is demonstrating that you can find a video.

In terms of presentation, it's worth bearing in mind that different people have different learning styles, and the most effective teachers provide content in ways that appeal to all styles. Some people like note-taking, others work best with a visual or spatial approach, and others still are kinesthetic and need hands-on experience of a subject that they can break down into its core components and reassemble on their own. Again, it's probably not something that you can work with in the space of twenty minutes - besides, your teacher will be looking for a demonstration of your understanding first - but it's worth bearing in mind. I would probably aim to split the presentation in two; one part for discussing net neutrality, and one part for an exercise that the class will do.

 

[TVR27]

If I were you I would be giving your class 2 hour lesson about Henry Ford.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If I were you I would be giving your class 2 hour lesson about Henry Ford.

Well, that would be an immediate fail. For one, it's six times longer than it's supposed to be, but more importantly, it has nothing to do with "participation in government".

 

[Omnis]

So, you're just going to show them Net Neutrality propaganda? Or are you also going to explain why NN is a terrible idea?

 

[Jahgee]

So, you're just going to show them Net Neutrality propaganda? Or are you also going to explain why NN is a terrible idea?

I'm going to try and explain both sides of the issue

 

[Lizard]

The major thing is confidence. If you don't have that you deliver the presentation badly and everyone becomes bored which makes you even more nervous because it isn't going well which makes the presentation worse.

Yeh I had that issue last year.

 

[Omnis]

Yes. Stand tall and always exude confidence as if you really know what you're talking about. Do not be shy, because that will turn people off. If the room is dark and there is a projector and a lit area next to the screen (ie a single recessed light that shines down on a lectern, etc.), then please, please, please stay in your light. Do not wander around the room unless you're in full light and not within the beam of the projector. Remember, you are one person giving a presentation to many. Your actions and words must DEMAND their attention, because otherwise you will lose it. You are like a dog herding sheep, and you'll want to engage those stragglers whose attention starts to fall by the wayside. Command the room and you will do great.

 

[Danoff]

I'm going to try and explain both sides of the issue

Really?

I'd like to show how the most popular things people use on the internet would be slowed down by the removal of Net Neutrality, and I'll be showing the video TotalBiscuit made about Net Neutrality, as he describes it very well and quickly, but I'm open to other options provided by you.

That's sure not what it looks like. Start out the discussion by explaining that the government doesn't have the right to interfere in private contracts... then throw down the mic and walk away.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

You are like a dog herding sheep, and you'll want to engage those stragglers whose attention starts to fall by the wayside. Command the room and you will do great.

If you're going to do this, then please don't over-do it. As much as you are giving a presentation, the ultimate responsibility for the class rests with the teacher. There is a whole lot of stuff that we do to manage a class, stuff that you don't see, and knowledge that we draw upon. Odds are that your teacher will set things up for you to give a minimum of fuss, so don't try and take the reins.

 

[Omnis]

You can't overdo a speech in a classroom. I mean, you're not going to go full Ozymandias. "Look upon my presentation and despair!" My point is that it's easy to have shy body language or modesty in front of a crowd. It's easy to lose people like that if you don't keep them engaged.

 

[DK]

Show up ten minutes late. Explain that the delay is a metaphor for what they'd have to deal with if Net Neutrality ceases to be a thing. Bring a mic so that you may drop it.

And that you were told that you had to pay extra to get there quicker.

Imagine if net neutrality was thrown out 10 years ago. What do you imagine would happen to all of the tech start-ups that arose since then? Imagine if you still had to use MySpace because Facebook couldn't afford to pay the local ISP to transfer their data quicker.

Another analogy might be a tolled road forcing cars from certain manufacturers to use "slow lanes" because those manufacturers wouldn't pay to allow their cars to use fast lanes.

 

[Tornado]

Make sure to mention big trucks and how they are different from the Internet.

 

[Omnis]

And that you were told that you had to pay extra to get there quicker.

Imagine if net neutrality was thrown out 10 years ago. What do you imagine would happen to all of the tech start-ups that arose since then? Imagine if you still had to use MySpace because Facebook couldn't afford to pay the local ISP to transfer their data quicker.

Another analogy might be a tolled road forcing cars from certain manufacturers to use "slow lanes" because those manufacturers wouldn't pay to allow their cars to use fast lanes.

Those are false assumptions.

 

[DK]

Those are false assumptions.

What, that ISPs will choke download speeds for sites that won't pay up, and that would kill innovation on the Internet?

 

[Omnis]

What, that ISPs will choke download speeds for sites that won't pay up, and that would kill innovation on the Internet?

Precisely.