Driving+Question+Explanation

Statement of topic and definition of driving question:
 * What can America do to reverse the direction of the current recession?**


 * Students would research various times of economic recession and growth noting the common trends of these periods. We thought it would be good to have the students create an online podcast as their final culminating project to this PBL. The podcast format could take on a variety of approaches. Students could create a small audio documentary on the current economic situation noting various major causes of the current recession. It would be nice to have the students touch on the historical recessions to draw comparisons to our current situation. I would like to see the students incorporate additional supplemental audio clips in addition to their main narration. Students could include images (advanced visual podcast), or even audio clips of music, news, or speeches on the economy. This "mini-documentary" would also serve as a PSA of sorts through which students could propose solutions to the economic situation citing information gained from not only previous economic recessions, but also from current economic experts (through research). The idea of this assignment is to choose a format (audio) that gets the students involved in a hands-on activity that can include students of all academic abilities. Every student can contribute to the group project, and not feel excluded, nor does this format encourage too many students slacking and being "carried" by the remaining group members.**