Practical Activity

Activity Title:

"Revisiting World War II: a journey of research and presentation"

Project Objective:

To equip students with a deep understanding of key events during World War II, focusing on the emergence of fascism/nazism, the impact of colonialism, and extermination practices, notably the Holocaust. This project aims not only to test students' knowledge of the period but also to develop their research, collaboration, and communication skills.

Detailed Project Description:

Students, divided into groups of 3 to 5, will create a multimedia presentation on a specific topic related to World War II. Each group will be assigned one of the following topics:

1. Rise of fascism and nazism
2. Holocaust and extermination practices
3. Decolonization processes in Africa and Asia
4. Impact of the war on Human Rights

Students will conduct rigorous research, using both educational materials and primary sources when available, to develop an in-depth presentation on their topic. The presentation should address the main issues, events, and figures within that theme, and analyze their impact and relevance in the context of World War II and beyond.

Required Materials:

1. Internet access for research
2. Books and other reference sources on World War II
3. Presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.)
4. Camera or smartphone, if students choose to include videos or other media in the presentation

Step-by-Step Guide for Activity Execution:

1. Students are grouped, and each group chooses (or is assigned by the teacher) a research topic.
2. Students conduct initial research on the topic to acquire a general understanding of the theme.
3. Each group plans their presentation, including which specific topics they will address and how they will divide the work among group members.
4. Students carry out their in-depth research, using various sources and noting important information.
5. Each group compiles their research into a multimedia presentation, ensuring that all aspects of the topic are covered comprehensively.
6. Students rehearse their presentation, working together to polish and perfect the content.
7. Each group presents their project to the class, answering questions and participating in a discussion on the topic after the presentation.
8. After the presentation, each group must write a report with the four main topics (Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used).

Project Deliverables:

Students must deliver two main pieces of work:

1. Multimedia presentation: This should cover the topic comprehensively and clearly. The presentation should be educational and engaging, using text, images, videos, and other means to convey information effectively. Each presentation is expected to last 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Written report: After the presentation, each group must write a 4 to 5-page report, containing the following topics:

   • Introduction: Should contextualize the topic, explain its relevance, and focus on the project's objective.
   • Development: Should detail the theory behind the topic, the activity carried out, the methodology used, and the results obtained. This section should describe what was researched, how it was presented, and the class's reaction/interaction.
   • Conclusions: Should summarize the main points of the project, the learnings obtained, and the conclusions drawn about the project.
   • Bibliography: Indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

The report and the presentation should complement each other. While the presentation is a space to share information dynamically and interactively, the report offers the opportunity for deeper reflection and critical analysis of what was learned.