Transport to the Future WebQuest


The World according to YOU at your 25th High School Reunion


For

Mr. Stanton's AP World History Class

Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

  INTRODUCTION  

Your study of world history can be used to develop theories for thinking about the future. From the first civilizations, people have attempted to develop methods to predict the future. Ancient river valley peoples used astrology and prophecy to predict the height of the river and the potential of future growing seasons. Scholars from China and the Islamic world believed that history was cyclical and that humans would return to face the same challenges over and over again, but in different forms. (Stearns, 887-888)

Speculation about the future must be carefully done. Clearly, human history has a mixed record. Many individuals believe that steady progress has occurred in world history because of advancing technology and progressive enlightenment. People live longer, women and children receive better treatment, and slavery has been abolished. On the other hand, the 20th century has been marked by unprecedented cruelty and inhumanity.  Technology has increased war-time losses and modern weapons are now capable of immeasurable mass destruction. Furthermore, racial and religious intolerance continues to be a problem in many parts of the world. (Stearns, 888-890)

Since its origin, human experience has been described in many differing ways. Issues persist despite important changes in individual societies. The only major theme of the text that has ended is: importance of nomadic-civilization interactions. Even though rigid frameworks have declined, inequality continues in contemporary society. The most troubling instance of inequality at the end of the 20th century involved disparities in earnings and living standards. Gaps increased during 1990s. Environmental degradation remained important because of the effects of expanding populations and industrialization. Many industrial societies are working to improve such conditions. World history presents a mixed picture concerning human organization. Judging its past is complex, as is the case for the future. (Stearns, 895-901)

Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

  THE TASK  

Answer the following Essential Questions:

Group Organization:

Student Activities:

  • Each team must carefully read through this WebQuest and all its associated links, including the research ideas..
  • Each team must complete the following components:
    • THE ATTACHED WORKSHEET
    A VISUAL PRESENTATION ON YOUR VISION OF THE FUTURE
    Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

      THE PROCESS  

      The Class will be divided into teams of 2, 3, or 4 depending on the size of the class.
      Each group must carefully read through this WebQuest taking note of all required work. (see The Task section above)
      Do each of the following steps in order:
    Click here to learn about evaluating websites for bias and authenticity. (Click the NEXT botton at the bottom through all 7 frames.)
    Click here to read an interesting summary on a book about predicting the future.
    Click here to find the Past, Present, and Future Issues Worksheet. (Print out and complete this worksheet)
    Research and develop possible scenarios for the things that you believe will make history 26 years from today.
       Develop a Visual Presentation summarizing the information collected on the worksheet and your scenarios of the future, 25 or 26 years from today. (Note: The requirements of the presentation below.) (The Presentation is worth 100 points.)
    EACH PRESENTATION MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS AND SHOULD BE PUT IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER. (You must have at least 5 vuisuals and my have no more then 10 vuisuals maximum. This includes the Introduction and Conclusion)
    1) An introductory slide.
    2)   A summary of each of your five answers from the Past, Present, and Future Worksheet. (Minimum 3 slides, maximum 5 slides)
    3) A conclusion slide. 
    Each Presentation should contain at least 10 images (click here to go to Google.com images search engine.) Overall, the presentation should be visually appealing. Beyond these requirements, any extra bells and whistles are strictly at the group’s discretion. Please note,  if any information is quoted, a works cited slide must be added to your presentation. Click here to see the Works Cited for this WebQuest.


    Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

    RESOURCES

    A.  PRINT RESOURCES

    MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES:
    POOLESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER:

    B. INTERNET LINKS TO USE:

    Be aware that the following sites contain bias in one fashion or another. This is also true for any possible sites and publications that you find on your own. When dealing with present and future issues, opinions can be very strong. Make sure to take that into account as you view these sites and search for information for your presentation.

    AskERIC - [Online] available http://ericir.syr.edu/  This Department of Education website has a list resources, information guides, a question-answer service and a searchable database.

    Facing the Future - [Online] available http://www.global-issues.net/ This site explores what looks to be some of the most important issues humans may face the 21st century.

    Foreign Policy Magazine - [Online] available http://www.foreignpolicy.com/resources/worldwide_links.html#global This is a magazine that looks at world issues such as global politics and economics.

    Global Issues Organization - [Online] available http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/TradeRelated.asp
    This web site looks into global issues that affect everyone and aims to show how most of these issues are inter-related.

    Grolier Encyclopedia -[Online] available http://www.go.grolier.com/
    MCPS has a special license to use the Grolier Encyclopedia and this a great site to find information, maps, and paintings.

    Human Rights Watch - [Online] available http://www.hrw.org/advocacy/ This site looks at human rights issues around the world.

    Third World Network - [Online] available http://www.twnside.org.sg/ This is a network of organizations and individuals involved in issues on development and the Third World.

    United Nations Issues on the Agenda - [Online] available http://www.un.org/partners/civil_society/agenda.htm This site gives information on major issues faced by the United Nations today.

    US Department of State Global Issues - [Online] available http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/  This website explores issues that the US Government deems important for the future of man.


    Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

        EVALUATION  

    The final product is worth a total of 100 Points.

    Please note that if you took the Advance Placement Exam, this project will count as your final exam grade.

    Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

         THE CONCLUSION  

    I hope that you have enjoyed your journey through time. You should now have an idea of what the future might look like. It will be interesting to see if your predictions come true when you return to Poolesville for your 25th High School Reunion. I would also like to take this moment to tell you how awesome each and every one of you are and that I have enjoyed teaching you this year. I wish you a safe, happy, and prosperous future and I look forward to seeing you all graduate. I feel it is only proper to leave you with the immortal words of a famous fictional character from the original Star Trek series.
    “Live Long and Prosper”

    Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

     
    Poolesville Falcons Rule!

    REVISED MAY 2012
    SPECIAL NOTE
    This site was designed by Mr. Eugene Stanton.
    Notes in the introduction, and the excerpts in on the worksheets, are a combination of words and ideas from your book and Mr. Stanton. Click here for the WebQuest Works Cited, in the schools required MLA format. Click here to see the complete lesson plan for this project.