Time for Non-Exams

It's that time of year again.

This year, I've designed non-exams for my Human Geo students that will assess their ability to apply what they've learned over the course of the year to real-world problems using full open access to the Net as well as collaboration with their peers during "exam time".

Here's the note I sent out to them today briefly explaining what they'd be doing while other kids are pouring over Scantrons and writing five-paragraph essays.

 Let's not call it an 'exam'.

Instead, let's call it your final projects in Human Geography.

Basically what you'll be doing is choosing from among a menu of options of mini-projects related to each of the topics we covered in class. You will complete several mini-projects and you may choose the assignments that appeal to you the most. For each mini-project, you will write a short explanation of why the subject matter resonates with you.

Here's a list of the topics:

1. The Post-9-11 World

2. Regionalism and Language

3. Forced Migration: War, Famine, Natural Disasters

4. The Changing Environment
5. Food and Us

6. Regional Conflict and Cultural Effects: Israel & Palestine / Afghanistan / India & Pakistan / Tibet

7. AIDS in Africa

8. The Rwandan Genocide

9. South Africa and the History of Apartheid

10. The G-20

11. US / Mexico Relations

12. Immigration in Western Europe

13. What is a Country?

14. Religion and Geography

Some of these mini-projects will be individual and some will be collaborative with other students. Everything will be done online and you will have full-access to the Web.

To prepare, go back over each of the topics we covered this semester and re-read your blogposts. Get together with friends and talk about the topics and help one another think about them. If you don't have time during the day, Skype is a great option.