ALEX Learning Activity

  

Meet the Candidates

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

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  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Lorie White
System:Lauderdale County
School:Rogers High School
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 2909
Title:
Meet the Candidates
Digital Tool/Resource:
Google Slide Presentation
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

In this learning activity, students will be introduced to four candidates in an election for the Best Smiley Face. Students will watch the candidates introduce themselves and then vote for their favorite candidate by ranking the candidates from their first choice to their fourth choice. The goal of this video lesson is to teach students about new and exciting ways of holding an election that they may not be aware of. This activity should be used as an introductory activity to identify a variety of voting methods. The during and after activities can be found in the Comment Section of this lesson.
  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
Mathematics
MA2019 (2019)
Grade: 9-12
Applications of Finite Math
23. Apply a variety of methods for determining a winner using a preferential ballot voting system, including plurality, majority, run-off with majority, sequential run-off with majority, Borda count, pairwise comparison, Condorcet, and approval voting.

Unpacked Content
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • Determine the outcomes of using various voting methods such as Borda, Runoff, Majority winner, Plurality Winner, and Condorcet
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • Ranked choice voting or preferential ballot voting
  • Plurality winner
  • Majority winner
  • Runoff method
  • Simple majority
  • Sequential runoff (instant runoff) method
  • Borda count
  • Condorcet method
  • Approval voting
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • Basic voting methods such as single choice ballots.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • Interpret data from ranked-choice voting ballots or summarized in preference schedules.
  • Use data to determine an election winner using a variety of methods.
  • Compare and contrast the methods and their results.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • Various election methods can be used to achieve a group decision from the preferences of the individuals of the group.
Diverse Learning Needs:
Learning Objectives:

Students will identify a variety of voting methods including plurality, majority, run-off with majority, Borda Count, and Pairwise comparison.
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
Before/Engage
Activity:

  1. The teacher will display the Google Slide presentation "Meet the Candidates".

  2. The teacher will review the information on the first slide introducing the students to the election method.

  3. Play the video for the students.

  4. Direct students to the Meet The Candidates Google Form.

  5. Students will vote by ranking candidates from their first choice to their last choice.

  6. The teacher will need to save the results of each class by either creating a Meet The Candidates Google Form for each class the activity is used for or by printing the results. The results are needed for the During Activity (Time to Tally) linked to this learning activity.

 

This activity is a vehicle for vote-collecting. The votes will be used during the lesson to introduce a variety of voting methods. While students are voting, the teacher should ensure that each student understands that they are ranking candidates from their first choice to their last choice. 
Assessment Strategies:

Teacher observation, while the students are applying a method for determining a winner using a ballot ranking voting system will be used as a formative assessment.
Advanced Preparation:

The teacher will need to ensure the classroom has the following

1) internet connection (WiFi).

2) classroom set of computers, iPads, or smart devices. (If allowed, students can use their own personal devices.)

Prior to the lesson, the teacher should be familiar with Google Forms and should create a copy of the Google Form Meet The Candidates for the activity. The teacher should share a link to the copied form with the students.  Note: If the form is being used from class to class, the teacher will need to clear previous responses by clicking on the response tab and selecting the three dots and the option to delete all responses.  
Variation Tips (optional):

If devices are not available for all students, a single device or a small number of devices can be used to collect votes.

A paper ballot could be distributed to students if access to the digital ballot is not available.
Notes or Recommendations (optional):

This is part of a lesson from the MIT Blossoms collection on the Mathematics of Voting. Teachers may wish to view the lesson before using the activity.

 

This activity should be used as an engagement activity for the following corresponding activities:

Time to Tally (During Activity)

Pros and Cons of Voting Methods - Exit Ticket (After Activity)
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: Borda Count, Majority with RunOff, Pairwise Comparison, Plurality, Voting, Voting Methods