reaction/discussion -- monday afternoon

[Anonymous]

I am interested in learning more about the aging populations in Asia and getting a better understanding of the trends in Korea, China, and Japan. Do some countries have significantly higher life expectancy rates? Why is that? Also, which countries have younger populations? I'm interested in Ancestor Worship, honoring of the dead. Perhaps I can bring this to life in my classroom when I cover Day of the Dead?

[Anonymous]

I also use the satellite map of Korea in my economics class to start a discussion on how different economic and political choices made by the two Koreas over last 60 years led to quite different outcomes. The benefits of economic freedom and personal choice can be talked about. Likewise, students are also very interested in Hong Kong and how much economic freedom it provides to its people. In the past, Milton Friedman used Hong Kong as an example to illustrate the benefits of free market. Although, I do not agree with all his arguments and assessments, different economic systems that are being used in East Asia can be examined and compared.
edited by akwon on 7/28/2014

[Anonymous]

About a year ago in my graduate international politics class, we had a class discussion on the disputes of the diaoyu/senkaku islands between China and Japan and the dokto/takeshima islands between South Korea and Japan. When observing these conflicts, many of the students thought that the court of history was clear which country should have the rights to the islands. However, it became a lot more tricky issue, if these conflicts were to be resolved in the Court of International Law. There are still many issues and problems that East Asian countries need to resolve.

[Anonymous]

I came from Macao (So glad someone actually is interested in my hometown!) It was a Portugal colony so it also enjoys special status. I grew up with mix cultures and enjoyed the diversity brought by tourism. Left at the age of 18, I haven't been able to catch up with all that happened at my hometown. I only know that tourism continues to flourish with increasing establishment of casinos. A couple of years ago, the Macao government started giving FREE money (about US $1000) to all citizens annually. My little six-year-old and I both receive and enjoy this extra money every year :>

[Anonymous]

Looking at the different graphs and the shifts in change of population in Asia was interesting. Posing the question to students, "Why is the older age group increasing, while the younger age group decreasing?"

[Anonymous]

California in comparison to Japan and Korea may be bigger in size, but when I saw the figures of the population, I was floored! I get restless standing in line at the supermarket, I can only imagine what the crowds would be like in EA! I would go nuts.
I like the newspaper activity for my students to show them the perspective of another country. How would it be different/same if they lived in a country that populated? Would you like/dislike it? Explain? Maybe this will make them appreciate the "space" they have.

[Anonymous]

Technology would be a great topic of discussion for students. Comparing the technological differences between EA countries and the US would probably be fascinating to them. They'll be able to connect with the topic. Realizing that the EA countries are far more advanced and have faster internet service will be shocking to them.

[Anonymous]

I really like lvalladares's lesson idea! That would allow students to become fully engaged in the lesson and take ownership of of the information. I'm always looking for ways to get my students knee- and elbow-deep into the learning and I think this is one good way. Thanks for that brainstorm.

[Anonymous]

While I appreciated Charles asking for clarification regarding this seemingly tangential examination of a relatively obscure historical figure (I'm sure you weren't the only one!), I spent that portion of the discussion frantically taking notes and making sure I related every fact correctly, because his life would actually be a perfect lens through which to view the end of Japan's feudal period, which my 7th grade medieval history curriculum covers extensively. His experiences demonstrate the shift from tradition to modernization, which I think my students would find fascinating and would help them bridge the gap between how things were and how they are presently.

[Anonymous]

I thought overlaying the map of Japan over the map of the US was a great way to get students to understand the diversity of the country. I'm afraid that I too thought of Japan as a country of big cities and bullet trains. I think I would like to look for more ways to use maps to bring out these ideas. Maps are perfect vehicles for young children to develop long-lasting ideas about how diverse regions in a country can be because of geographical differences.

[Anonymous]

What realities of EA geography / demography surprised you Monday afternoon? What might be the consequences / advantages / disadvantages of EA land and population trends? How might you bring geography and demography realities into history, government, economics, language arts, math, and other classes? Is this worth attention?

The density of the populations in the East Asian countries surprised me. It helps me to understand why their cultures emphasize conformity so much--with such dense populations conformity is necessary for order. The increases in the populations of East Asian countries will have a tremendous impact on us. There will be an increase competition for limited resources in energy, raw materials, and food. The rise in the middle class in these countries and the consequent increase in their consumption of consumer products can cause profound changes in cost of products, the availability of products, and changes to our environment. I think it is very important to make students aware of the real effects the geography and demography of East Asian countries can have on them. How it could affect the prices they pay for the products they by; how it could affect future wars or other global conflicts; and how it could affect their environment, including the air they breathe and the water that they drink. As the East Asian countries continue to grow, expand, and develop, their effect on America will also increase. Students must realize how the developments in East Asia will have a direct impact on their lives so they can create or support political policies that will allow them to maintain the quality of life that they wish to have.

[Anonymous]

The first thing that came to my mind when I read your post is the idea that history repeats, and I think this is a perfect example! Students often don't "believe" or take any stock in the idea that we are doomed to repeat what we do not change. This would be a great example of how we need to change so that we do not fall back down to 0.1% again!

[Anonymous]

That is a definite change between the US and Japan/Korea that I didn't realize existed until yesterday. I always take for granted my personal space I suppose because I am so used to it being an undiscussed rule of etiquette here in the US. We just automatically realize that you only sit so close to someone and if someone violates this unspoken rule, we consider them rude. But obviously in Japan & Korea, they don't have the benefit of this unspoken rule due to geographical & population reasons. I think that students would find this fascinating as well!

[Anonymous]

I am surprised at how strongly China is pursuing former land claims in their search for more resources, especially those that challenge US alliances.

[Anonymous]

My son drives a Hyundai and I drive a Nissan. My television and kids' phones are Samsung. My laptop is a Toshiba. No! I'm not at all impacted by the East Asians.

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