About Us
Congress: The Context
"...A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented
activity in which some or all of the information that learners
interact with comes from resources on the internet..."
-Bernie Dodge, 1995
WebQuest: How Influential is Your Member of Congress?
This WebQuest was developed by The Dirksen Congressional Center
to introduce students to the concept of "influence" or "power" in
Congress. What experiences or responsibilities distinguish more
influential Congress members from less?
WebQuest:
The Job of Leading Congress
This WebQuest was developed by The Dirksen Congressional Center
to introduce students to the duties of a leader in the House
of Representatives. What jobs do these people, elected by their
colleagues, fulfill? What are their qualifications?
WebQuest: Leading the 112th Congress
You are a free-lance writer who has been commissioned by a national monthly magazine to report on the leaders of the 112th Congress. You have decided that your “angle” will be this: what qualities or shared experiences do these leaders have, and how will these factors shape their approach to leadership in Congress.
WebQuest: Congressional Leadership
Students are asked to identify the traits that make success in
congressional leadership positions most likely. Their analysis
will provide a guide to members of Congress as they evaluate
their colleagues who seek leadership positions.
WebQuest:
Comparing Voting Records of Congress Members
This WebQuest was developed by The Dirksen Congressional Center
to introduce students to information on the Internet about how
members of Congress vote on issues. By accessing the voting records
of individual members, it is possible to determine who is conservative,
who is liberal.
WebQuest: A Simulated Cabinet Meeting [hosted by another site]Washington, D.C. is an extremely competitive, political town, and you must work hard to keep your agency an important part of government. It's the beginning of the legislative calendar; you must compete with other agencies and departments for a part of the budget and a high profile emphasis from the president. It's up to you, as agency chief, to identify a pressing current issue before your department/post and prepare an option paper for presentation to the president. Explore possible courses of action to remedy a pressing policy problem. Determine the potential cost to accomplish the goals. You may prepare charts, tables and graphs to explain your plans to the president.
