LYNN UNIVERSITY DEVELOPS FIRST APPLE ITUNES U 2012 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE CURRICULUM FOR EDUCATION
Boca Raton, Fla. (August 14, 2012) – In anticipation of Lynn University hosting the third and final presidential debate on Oct. 22 at The Keith C. and Elaine Johnson World Performing Arts Center, the educational institution is engaging students in grades K-12 with its 2012 Debate Curriculum for Education, available for free download on the iPad through Apple iTunes U or through Lynn University’s official debate website. Lynn University is the only 2012 presidential debate host school to offer a debate-related K-12 curriculum through iTunes U.
“We worked closely with Apple to create a fun, unique tool for teachers to use in the classroom to help students better understand the debate process,” said Christian Boniforti, chief information officer of Lynn University. “This learning experience comes just in time for students to actively participate in the presidential debate dialogue.”
The Lynn University 2012 Debate Curriculum for Education lets students have all of the presidential debate materials right at their fingertips. Most of the activities have been tied to Florida’s New Generation Sunshine State Standards, and some are linked to the Common Core Standards which are used by many states.
“When Lynn University’s presidential debate team invited us to participate in this historic event, we had no idea we’d be the beneficiaries of an energizing new civics curriculum meticulously developed by them,” said E. Wayne Gent, superintendent of Palm Beach County Schools. “Our students will have multi-dimensional, interactive learning modules to stimulate discussion on how to understand and maintain our nation’s democracy.”
There are three activities for each grade, kindergarten through fifth, and four activities for grades six through 12. Interactive activities include worksheets, coloring sheets, mock debates, multimedia content and more. Kindergarteners will learn to recognize the two political party symbols with a coloring exercise. Third graders will read different scenarios and identify which government level should be involved for a solution to the scenario. By watching past presidential debates, sixth graders will use scoring cards to determine which candidate did a better job. Presidential fact sheets and debate information is also available in the appendix of the web portal.
As Lynn University prepares for the presidential debate, it is working to help teachers involve students in the democratic process, so they can understand and enjoy this historic event.
About Lynn University
Founded in 1962, Lynn University is an independent, co-ed, residential educational institution offering an innovative undergraduate and graduate curriculum built on individualized attention and an international focus. Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, it is also the youngest university ever to host a modern presidential debate. Situated on 123 lushly landscaped grounds with six freshwater lakes, Lynn University is home to six academic units – the Burton D. Morgan School of Aeronautics, the College of Business and Management, the Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn College of International Communication, the College of Liberal Education, the Conservatory of Music and the Donald E. and Helen L. Ross College of Education – in addition to academic support services and award-winning varsity athletics. Lynn University is ranked fourth in the United States for having the highest concentration of international students by U.S. News & World Report and is consistently ranked in the top five among Carnegie Foundation’s top 20 masters institutions in the number of students taking part in study abroad programs (Institute of International Education). The university currently enrolls more than 2,000 students representing nearly all 50 U.S. states and more than 80 nations. Lynn University is located at 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33431. For more information about Lynn University, including a full list of degree programs at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels, please call 561-237-7900 or 1-800-888-5966 or visit www.Lynn.edu.