Technology and Activism in Mexico

Objective:

You will be able to analyze how an author reports on activism in Mexico using different subjects and mediums in order to write a social media post that informs your community about corruption in Mexico, or in your own city.

Warm-up:

1. If you have your phone with you, use the records on your phone to note the following:

• What were the last few text messages you sent?
• What were the last few posts you put on social media?

2. Today's lesson looks at how phones can be used for activism. How would you define activism? Write a brief definition.

3. Consider the following and write your responses using a scale of 1-10 (1=not comfortable and 10=very comfortable)

• How comfortable would you feel posting on social media about an issue you wanted to bring attention to?
• If you had proof (photos/documents) of corruption in your community, how comfortable would you be sending that information to a journalist?
• Use your responses above to consider the following: What would it take for you to be willing to investigate and share information about corruption in your community?

Introducing the Lesson and Resources:

Today's lesson explores Kara Andrade's project "Mexico: Technology, Civic Participation and Accountability," which investigates how technology is being used in Mexico to investigate corruption.

Review the resources attached and answer the accompanying questions. As you review the resources attached, also consider the following:

1. How does the author explore how technology is being used to address corruption?
2. What details does the author emphasize?
3. Why do you think the author emphasizes these details? What is the impact on the reader/listener?

Discussion:

Use details from the resources attached to guide a conversation that explores the following questions:

1. What issue is the author exploring in these pieces? How do you feel about this issue?
2. What details does the author emphasize in the pieces, and what is the impact? What details are sticking out to you?
3. Why do you think the subjects of Andrade's reporting are using technology to address corruption? Why do you think it matters to them?
4. How does this story connect to you and your community?

Extension Activities:

1. Using details from Andrade's reporting, plan 3-5 social media posts that communicate what you learned about corruption in Mexico to your community. Consider what quotes, images, exchanges and facts most stood out to you as you decide what to include in your posts.

2. Write a short essay that uses personal reflection and details from Andrade's reporting to address the following questions:

• What leads a person to activism, and what role can technology play?
• How could technology play a role in changing something in your own community?