Resources
Here is a series of resources that may be useful for the different phases of your webquest:
For Phase 1: Soil Analysis – Identifying and Understanding Social Causes:
Websites and Databases:
- International Organizations (with global data, often disaggregated at the national level):
- United Nations (UN):
- UNData website: (https://data.un.org/) – Extensive collection of statistics on various social, economic, and environmental topics.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Knowledge Platform: (https://sdgs.un.org/) – Detailed information on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with data, analysis, and publications.
- UNICEF Data website: (https://data.unicef.org/) – Data and reports on the situation of children worldwide.
- UNHCR – The UN Refugee Agency Statistics: (https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/) – Data and information on refugees and displaced persons.
- United Nations (UN):
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- World Bank:
- World Bank Open Data website: (https://data.worldbank.org/) – Economic and development data at global and national levels.
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD):
- OECD Data website : (https://data.oecd.org/) – Data and analysis on the economies and societies of member and non-member countries.
- World Health Organization (WHO): (https://www.who.int/data) – Global health data and statistics.
- World Bank:
- International Academic Journals (for research articles on social causes – often accessible through school or university libraries, but some “open access” articles are available online):
- Social Problems
- American Sociological Review
- Journal of Social Policy
- Critical Social Policy
- Development and Change
- Search on Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/) using specific keywords for the problem you are analyzing (e.g., “causes of youth unemployment,” “factors affecting housing inequality”). Filter for “open access” articles if you do not have access to academic databases.
- Research Institutes and Think Tanks (often publish reports and analyses):
- Search for research institutes specific to the geographical area or the problem you are analyzing (both internationally and nationally/locally).
For Phase 2: Sowing Solutions – Designing Effective Interventions:
- Websites of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Associations:
- Explore the websites of NGOs working on the problem you have chosen. They often describe their approaches and intervention strategies (ask yor teacher for guide, or try to write a prompt for AI tool to get interesting links). Here is an example list for the educational dropout problem:
- Save the Children https://www.savethechildren.net/
- SCHWAB FUNDATION https://www.schwabfound.org/home
- WATER STARTERS Social enterprises: combining the power of NGOs and businesses | NWP
- Look for local organizations active in your territory.
- Explore the websites of NGOs working on the problem you have chosen. They often describe their approaches and intervention strategies (ask yor teacher for guide, or try to write a prompt for AI tool to get interesting links). Here is an example list for the educational dropout problem:
- Manuals and Guides on “Best Practices” (often published by international organizations or foundations):
- Many organizations publish guides on how to address specific social problems effectively. Search with keywords such as “best practices poverty reduction,” “effective interventions youth unemployment.”
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools for Brainstorming and Visualization:
- AI Brainstorming Tools:
- ChatGPT https://chatgpt.com or Gemini https://gemini.google.com/: They can help generate initial ideas for solutions. You can ask questions like: “What are some innovative solutions to address [the chosen problem] in our community?” or “Considering the causes of [the chosen problem], what types of interventions might be effective?”
- AI Brainstorming Tools:
- Visualization Tools (for the “Root Map” and the “Cultivation Plan”):
- Canva: (https://www.canva.com/) – Easy to use for creating diagrams, presentations, and posters. It also offers AI features for image creation.
- MindMeister: (https://www.mindmeister.com/) – Specific for creating mind maps and diagrams to visualize connections.
- Lucidchart: (https://www.lucidchart.com/) – Another tool for creating diagrams and flow charts.
- Genially: (https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.genial.ly/en) – Useful for creating interactive presentations and infographics.
General Advice:
- Be Specific: When searching for information, use specific keywords related to the problem and your territory (e.g., “youth poverty Padua,” “industrial pollution Veneto causes”).
- Evaluate Sources: Pay attention to the reliability of sources. Government websites, international organizations, academic journals, and established NGOs are generally more reliable sources than personal blogs or sites with unverified information.
- Consider Different Perspectives: Seek information from various sources to get a more complete picture of the problem and possible solutions.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: If you have difficulty finding information or using the tools, ask your teachers for advice or, as suggested, use AI for clarification or to find new research directions.
I hope these resources are helpful for this exciting webquest! Good luck with your research and the sowing of your solutions!
