reaction/discussion -- monday afternoon

[Anonymous]

It was very interesting that India and China ruled manufacturing in the 1750s. Things are returning. I would likely use this data to explain the importance and impact of machine power in Europe and America. Students can also use this info to understand the return to normal for the industrial giants

[Anonymous]

The most surprising insight from this afternoon for me was the demography of Japan and its seriously aging population. I would bring this to my government class as an example of something the government of the United States must watch. The population in our country is not changing that quickly but it certainly is, and the US government, like the Japanese government must make many calculations based on the notion of serving a significantly older population. This also helps to inform our discussion of immigration, since that is one of the things that keeps the US population growing and less prone to the rapid change.

[Anonymous]

Just a thought on this, we can have our students look at the demographics and try to figure out the what and the why. Then they can try to come up with solutions. As they start to give their ideas, the teacher can give consequences of their policies. This could serve as a problem/solution activity. Kids can really see that these government programs have major ramifications.

[Anonymous]

I think the discussions of these issues can be incorporated to help students understand why decisions involving natural and human resources impact everyone on a global scale and affect the well-being of all citizens of the global community. When they realize this, in the future they may exercise empathy and act to help those who lack basic human and natural resources.

[Anonymous]

It amazed me how many people actually live in the EA cities, especially with how little space they have! I found myself getting annoyed this morning while I was stuck in traffic trying to get to the institute, and the amount of people I thought was overwhelming here in LA isn't anything compared to what it would look like in EA. I really liked the idea of using a newpaper to demonstrate how close people are to one another on the subways because I do not believe that students would understand how many people there are and how little space there is without a demonstration. Numbers like that are hard to imagine.
I strongly believe that geography lessons are ALWAYS worth the attention because students today have difficulties describing where places are located in proximity to one another, or they struggle with the knowledge on how to even approach using a map. I know that our phones now have pretty much made maps obsolete, but students should be able to still use a map if necessary. It is like showing them how to use a regular can opener. Yeah the electronic ones are great! But sometimes they break and we need to be able to fall back on old technology. I mean if you are driving around and your phone dies, and all you have is your knowledge of geography and a map, you wouldn't be stuck or stranded. (Yes, a bad comparison. I know, but I hope that my point makes sense )

[Anonymous]

A point that stood out to me in the afternoon was Japan's efficiency with the space that they have. Japan with relation to the density of its population has developed a lifestyle that is very efficient. It is important to study the way populations use their geography to develop their cultural habits. Most parts of the United States have vast expanses of land and our settlements tend to sprawl over the land, whereas Japan had more petite settlements to accommodate the large population. When I was in Japan, it was quite the adjustment to get used to being in what felt like confined quarters. I was amazed, however, at how purposeful their spaces were. Every nook and cranny had a purpose and nothing was wasted. It's always important to show students that there is more than one way of doing something--urban settlements and architecture included.

[Anonymous]

It was interesting to know that Korea and Japan are so much smaller that California and how personal space is a non-issue in these societies. It reminded me of what my husband had espressed to me when he went to Japan about 8 years ago. He said that in Japan, no matter how big he made himself (and he's 6'2"), it didn't matter. People would still be right up against him which made him feel very uncomfortable. This was an experience that he would not forget because his size didn't matter.

[Anonymous]

A number of different questions to pose from this afternoon. So what happens if Japan apologizes? Is everybody good and then China and Korea start to forget the past... Or is there something deeper and this anger over Japan's lack of guilt is just a layer that reveals a deeper wound?
On another note, there was a great article on Sunday in the Times dealing with Hong Kong and its' special status... I keep asking myself about Macao and I never read anything about it except that it has great casinos. I would love to learn more.
So if there are all those netizens in China... Who owns their access to the Internet?Who is their Crlos Slim? And what smartphones do they buy? What percentage have an iPhone?
One last thing...what on earth do we import from North Korea? I know there are some good joke answers out there... But seriously....?

[Anonymous]

Having taught a 9th grade geography class I knew the 'basics'. I think the comparisons were very helpful and allow students to visualize while working on comparative skills. It occurred to me that I could also look at elements of continuity (an AP requirement) by looking into urbanization on a global level. I know that European merchants have been impressed with the infrastructure of cities in China since Marco Polo's time. I would like to see some charts showing the trends in the modern world. By that I mean, maybe I could research the matter and create a mini DBQ (document based question)?

[Anonymous]

Regarding space-suddenly my 1200 sq. ft. house seems a lot bigger. The point is that today's lecture put things into perspective. It's all relative.

[Anonymous]

I am interested in the way that water and environmental issues are playing out in the urban centers of East Asia, particularly China. I would like to learn more about the difference between the hutong neighborhoods in Beijing and the Beijing Central Business District. The contrast between the modern metro system and the lack of potable tap water, for example, seems to have a lot of relevance to our lives here in SoCal. Also, the immense income inequality of the urban areas as I described before in the contrast between hutong Beijing and Beijing CBD interests me.

[Anonymous]

The dynamics of the five east asian countries is really interesting. They are so diverse and focused on different goals. It might be interesting to do an activity where you have your students take the role of one of the five countries (six if you include the US). The teacher would have to provide background info, a sort of biography with want and needs, so the students can know about the countries. The teacher can have the student do research if time permits and find all this info. The students could debate in class over certain events or hypotheticals proposed by the teacher.

[Anonymous]

The satellite map of North Korea, though I've seen it before, is always startling. I've read some of the horror stories of North Korea, and when you combine the two--the map and autobiographies or investigative reporting--you get the sense that most North Koreans are shackled in a 21st century Dark Age. If so, shouldn't more be done to open the country up? It was interesting to hear from Mr. Dube the idea that nuclear energy is important to the country. Is then muscle from the U.S. to reverse their nuclear technology gains doing more harm than good?

I would like my students to read about North Korea, and compare and contrast North Korean livelihoods with South Korean ones.

[Anonymous]

Like many, the stark lack of lights on the satellite map is unimaginable in today's society. It made me think of the Vice episode where the North Koreans who have escaped do not get the happy ending they imagine when living in South Korea. Instead, they are treated like many immigrants in America. They are unwanted and face discrimination, and they live in segregated areas while struggling to find jobs. There is even a S. Korean show that has N. Koreans share their stories, struggles, and hardships.

I incorporate North Korea into my unit about freedom when teaching Julia Alvarez's short story "Liberty," and the students make connections to our society.

[Anonymous]

I think it will be a great idea to have students reflect on how things will be different if people in East Asia used as much natural resources as people in the United States.

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