Revision Update:
Please check out the array of new activities about China found on the new Searching for China homepage.
An Introduction
As you already know, China is a majestic country with a long history and many secrets. You may even be an experienced traveler who has already visited the incredible tourist attractions available on a whirlwind tour. If not, you might want to take a brief virtual tour:
But beyond the tourist stops lies another China, a country more complex than the majestic, timeless China of our history books. Currently, the people of China are experiencing great economic changes and social turmoil (click on "turmoil" for a definition). You might think, "Too bad for them" and go on your way. But given the fact that China has one of the world's fastest growing economies, a potentially unstable centralized government, and a history as both conqueror and victim, it would be wise to put our minds and spirits to the task of "Searching for China."
Introduction | The Task | The Process | Resources | Learning Advice | Conclusion | HyperText Dictionary
The Task
The United States government feels very strongly about the need to understand China. To do this effectively, a plenipotentiary (use the dictionary?) is selecting a special team that will travel to China to investigate the country, the people, and the culture. Instead of only sending diplomats, the plenipotentiary decides to create a team from very different backgrounds, hoping that this strategy will give the most accurate and informed perspective. Therefore, it's decided that the team needs a:
Your task in "Searching for China" is to join a team and take on one of the roles listed above. You and your teammates will work together to create a Special Report for the American people (also known as your classmates) that makes sense of the complex country that is China. You might want to read a Guide to Tourists before you embark on your journey.
Introduction | The Task | The Process | Resources | Learning Advice | Conclusion | HyperText Dictionary
The
ProcessWho are the Chinese people? What makes them tick? Is this as easy of a question as it sounds? Think about how difficult it would be for someone to describe you or your family. Are you a person who is always the same way? Aren't you sometimes happy, sometimes sad? Sometimes friendly, sometimes angry? Sometimes giving, sometimes selfish? We all go through changes of emotions, attitudes, and ideas throughout our lives. Think about groups of people. Wouldn't you expect them to be complex and changing, too? Now think about China with over 1 billion people (more than 4 times the population of the United States!). Is it any wonder that to individuals in the western hemisphere, the Chinese are viewed as an inscrutable (use the dictionary?) people?
Faced with the difficulty of understanding something as complex as a nation, you might just want to give up. Sometimes in life you have that choice. But to give up trying to understand the Chinese would mean giving up chances to benefit financially, to help people fight against oppression, to save some of the world's greatest treasures, to protect the safety and security of millions of people, or to enlighten people's lives with greater religious insight. You see, you can't give up.
So if we're faced with a difficult challenge, we must:
These are the suggested strategies for success in "Searching for China."
On the Net: Virtual Investigation
As a Team of Experts
The "Action
Plan"
Now you must discuss, persuade, argue, deal, and brainstorm a team
action plan. As it says in your dossier, you as an expert want to
find the best solution for your topic. The problem arises that what
is good for business is not always good for human rights. What is
good for museums is not always good for religious temples. What's
good for peace and stability may not be good for business or freedom
of speech. The world is waiting for your report. We know the answers
are not easy. That's why they are real!
Attention: You are not "playing
school." The future could depend on you and your ability to
understand and communicate. You can do it!
The Special
Report
If you were using the HyperSudio "Special Report" stack, then your
artifacts can be pasted onto the card(s) that correspond to your
role. If you have not used HyperStudio, you may create a butcher
paper wall mural, a group newsletter, an infomercial, or a special
report to congress depending upon the learning outcomes you want to
develop and the plenipotenciary's (your teacher's)
requirements.
Introduction | The Task | The Process | Resources | Learning Advice | Conclusion | HyperText Dictionary
ResourcesUse the resources below to conduct your search. There are no right answers to this exploration; Westerners have been trying to understand the Chinese people and culture for centuries. See if you can add some real understanding and insight to the East-West Discussion.
Books, Texts,
and References
Newspaper
Reports
Pictures
Musical
Recordings
Information of
Special Interest
Reports from
World-Wide "Watch" Organizations
Facts and
Statistics about Populations & Countries
Letters &
Messages from PeopleIntroduction | The Task | The Process | Resources | Learning Advice | Conclusion | HyperText Dictionary
Learning
AdviceBecause your task is to create an integrated Action Plan that harmonizes the various interests of politicians, anthropologists, religious worshippers and the world's business and human rights communities, you team is faced with a very difficult, very real task. Therefore, for your team's project to really come together, you must work together to:
Some questions for you and your teammates to explore at the end of the WebQuest are:
Introduction | The Task | The Process | Resources | Learning Advice | Conclusion | HyperText Dictionary
ConclusionIn the United States of 1995,
we can:
we can:
we can:
we can:
we can:
we can:
we can:
You now have a better understanding of the Chinese people than the vast majority of United States citizens. There is a saying, "Knowledge is Power." Now that you have this power, what will you do?
Introduction | The Task | The Process | Resources | Learning Advice | Conclusion | HyperText Dictionary
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Last revised August 6,
1997 |
