[Alison Douglas]

There was so much information that I found interesting from the scrolls to the Japanese geisha dresses.  The scrolls are fascinating how they tell a story and are about 8 feet long with so much attention to detail within them.  I found it interesting how you said that they replace them with new ones every so often.  There were many topics that I've heard of but never had much of an understanding, for example how feug shui works and how they planned the cities to follow certain energy.   It would be interesting to know the electromagnetic energy in my house.  That was interesting to hear about your wife and finding the energy levels in your house.  There is so much attention to detail within the environment and it all has a purpose.  I think I'm one of the few people in the class that have never been to Asia, but the more I learn the more I would like to go and see it for myself.  Not sure if I want to share bath water, but to see it all for myself would be an awesome experience.  I believe these lectures will allow for greater appreciation to all the details.  Also, very interesting the topic about finding housing for people.  I do agree that there is much much needed besides shelter alone.

[Alison Douglas]

Thank you for sharing! I've always been fascinated by the Forbidden City and hope to see it one day. 🙂

[Alison Douglas]

I agree with you about the incredible construction.  With the knowledge of the brackets, and how to prepare the timber for construction is fascinating.  I had no idea that it took 4 years to perserve the sap in the tree before it could be used.

[Alison Douglas]

I found it very interesting how certain influences have changed icons of Buddhism.  The very elaborate worship centers is fascinating how they started with being the center of the city to more on remote areas like the hillsides.  You can really see the influence from other cultures such as the Greeks and Romans, especially with the Great Buddha in Japan and how it is a sculpture that is more lifelike and very large in size.  It is interesting to learn how it was once in a temple and kept getting washed away due to tsunamis that now just sits in the open air.  I hope to go and see it one day.  The second video about the materials they use and how they adapt to the environment, but how it also comes at a price was really something to think about.  On one hand they came up with such elaborate temples with the design of the bracket, but on the other they had to use trees to build those.  It's good to know that the impact to the environment was recognized and has been attempted to be resolved.

[Alison Douglas]

I thought that was interesting as well, and how it is very different from the planning of the more open areas throughout Europe.  Yes, this would be a great assignment for kids to create and compare the differents areas.

[Alison Douglas]

I found it very interesting the difference between the planning of European cities compaired to East Asian gridded cities.  They weren't centered around open areas for socializing.  I didn't realize how the difference was based around democracy and attitude.  It seems like East Asia bases a lot of city planning on nature and feng-shui, which you can see with the zen gardens and the way the building are set-up.  I have always been fascinated with the Forbidden City and found it interesting how elaborate the planning was, and hopefully get to see it one day.  It is also interesting to see the western urbanization that has been transforming cities.  For example, the city of Pudong and how rapid it has changed within 30 years.  The comparison between Venice and Suzhou and how they both have to deal with water contamination, it will be interesting to see how they deal with this issue in time.  The influence of Western society has seemed to quickly influence the lanscape and planning of Asia in a brief period of time.

[Alison Douglas]

Hi! My name is Alison Douglas, and I teach middle school History.  I've been teaching for about 18 years, and this year has been the most interesting. I've been doing some projects around the house, enjoy working out, and have been trying new recipes.  I hope to get back to traveling and seeing new places very soon.  Good to meet everyone and look forward to this course. 🙂

[Alison Douglas]

Lesson # 1:  EDpuzzle:  The Silk Road:  A Virtual Tour

 

Students watch the EDpuzzle and answer the questions.  This lessons was used to give the students some background knowledge of what the Silk Road was and why it was important.  Because it was a virtual tour they were able to see key cities and get a first-hand look at it.  Finally, they were able to analyze the geographic route, and understand the importance of the location for trade.

 

 

Lesson #2:  Website:  China Highlights:  Why China’s Silk Road Is So Significant—10 Reasons that Changed the World

 

Students are able to analyze agriculture, technological, and commercial developments

 

Students had to read the article and take notes on the 10 key reasons why the Silk Road changed the world.  (see attached picture of student work) This lesson was used to go beyond basic background knowledge that the EDpuzzle provided and allow students to analyze why it was significant.  Also, they studied the importance of trade and what good led to the growth of China.  In particular silk.

 

 

Lesson #3:  Group Poster

 

Once students were able to understand the significance of the Silk Road and able to answer the objectives, they worked together to create a poster that illustrated what they had learned – see attached student poster

 

• Must have a map and description of some of the cities along the Silk Road
• Include an explanation of what The Silk Road was and why was it called that?
• Explain where it was and explain the route?
• What is the purpose?
• Who traveled along the route (include Marco Polo)?
• Why was it important?
• How did it change the world? 
• What might happen as a result of the new Silk Road (Belt and Road Initiative)—compare/contrast them
• Include 3 sentences about what you found interesting, exciting, or new about The Silk Road
• Make them colorful and neat

 

[Alison Douglas]

Yes, it seems that because China is trying to develop in areas that lack such basic necessities, especially in Africa.  I would think that it could only benifit them more than hurt them.  For this reason, I believe they won't get much resistance.

[Alison Douglas]

I was fascinated by what I learned about China.  I always knew they were communists but never really understood a lot of what that meant.  I teach ancient Chinese history and I’m able to relate what is happening today with what is happened in the past.  The fact that there are 90 millions members of the communist party in China explains why they are able to control the rest of the citizens.  There is discrimination in China with the Hokou system but there isn’t much that people can do to change that.  I’m curious to see how it evolves throughout the years.  Especially with the fact that more and more Chinese travel and become educated in other parts of the world.  Then they return to China an realize how much of their freedom is taken away.  In much the same way as when Shuping Yang talked about, "Freedom in Oxygen."  I could imagine that will spread amongst the millennials, and how they might want to change.  The Chinese government seems to give just enough to keep people from rebelling but not enough to make real changes.  

 

It is nice to know that China is taking on a role in trying to improve pollution.  They contribute greatly to the problem and at least they are trying to something about it.  The fact that there is 4,000 premature deaths because of it is frightening.  They will have to do something to improve their pollution and other environmental factors.  The contamination of the soil and the water shortage will just become a bigger a problem to the 1.6 billion that live there.  

 

The Chinese government is more powerful than I ever thought it was.  They are experts in trade and know how to achieve more.  We discuss the Silk Road and the importance it had, and it’s interesting to connect their present day advancements to this.  Through their BRI, they will be able to take control of other areas through Asia and especially Africa.  The fact that are monopolizing selling certain goods in Africa just adds to their advancement.   I’m understanding more about why the “trade war” with China has become such a big issue.  The US has to be able to not rely on China for so much.  I’ve heard a lot about this dependance with the whole Covid-19 ordeal and how we rely on them for certain necessities such as medicine.  It is actually quite frightening, so maybe after this is over other options will be explored.

 

Even thought China seems to be a leader in trade and technology in trade it still has a big problem when it come to their own citizens.  From being discriminated against to dealing with harsh living conditions due to work, environmental issues, or just the lack of support form the government.  The government seems to get away with this treatment without really any opposition and that is scary.  I watched the “One Child Nation”, and really came to understand how propaganda and the government brain washed the citizens.  I know that this was just one issue, so it’s scary to know what else they have to deal with.  China is obviously very powerful and I’m curious to see how the US as well as other nations deal with them in the future.  

[Alison Douglas]

I agree with with you on the cover up of Covid-19.  It absolutely crazy what is going on and to me it is obvious in the cover up by the Chinese government.  It doesn't seem that the Chinese government cares about the majority of its citizens and now the rest of the world is dealing with the fall out...just horrible!

[Alison Douglas]

Clay,

I agree with you and with all the Chinese investment throughout the region that it helps the people in both places.  I didn't realize how difficult like is for most Chinese.  It seems that Africa, Pakistan as well as others would benifit as well.

[Alison Douglas]

Kevin,

I was also surprised with the China's realtionship with Africa.  It seems that they are in a way taking over the infrastructure and trade of much of Africa.  Also, the fact that we don't hear much about this and how it will impact China in the future.  I read an article about how the U.S. is adopting more isolationist policies while China is doing the opposite.  It seems that China in on a mission to expand and knows how to do it, which will just make them nore powerful.

[Alison Douglas]

I found this interesting as well.  I had no idea that China was so infested in Africa.  It seems like it has been the prime location as well as meeting very little resistance. I read how it has become a popular tourist attraction for the Chinese, and it will be interesting to see how this all developes.

[Alison Douglas]

I agree with you on the infrastructure.  I believe the U.S. should take on some infrastructure projects that would be extremely benificial.  

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