Analyzing a Situation

Session Three        

Analyze information

• When students have completed their independent research, distribute a copy of Uncovering the Issues to each student. To use this chart, students:
• record their topic at the top of the page
• list 15 key facts about their topic in the left-hand column, using their briefing sheets and additional research as a source of ideas—suggest that students briefly summarize the key facts in their own words. 
• per the class examples, list the stakeholders affected by the events or situations implied by these facts in the middle column
• record the implied interests in the right-hand column
• identify five issues that emerge from their analysis and record them in the box at the bottom of the page.

When framing their issues, encourage students to consider both the criteria for an issue-based question (e.g., raises important and interesting questions involving competing interests) and the question stems (e.g., Should people . . . ? Is it fair . . . ? What can be done to . . . ? Would it be better to . . . ?).

Share analysis with team members

• When all the students have completed Uncovering the Issues, explain that they are to work with one or two other students who researched the same topic to produce a common report. Direct each team of two or three students to compare their analyses. Based on these discussions, invite students to add any stakeholders, interests and issues that they had not already identified.

Present the reports

• Arrange for students to share their analysis with the rest of the class. Discuss any patterns that emerge across topics, for example, common stakeholders, different clusters of interests and interrelated issues.

Assessment

Assess the issue analysis

• Assess students’ identification of the significant stakeholders, interests and issues as recorded in Skateboarders and in Uncovering the Issues. You may wish to use the rubric Assessing the Analysis. According to this rubric, the assignment is assessed on three criteria:
  • key stakeholders
  • important interests
  • significant issues.