Introduction
New ideas and inventions have transformed the world in which we live today. Let’s say that it all started during the reign of Queen Victoria, when Britain became the British Empire, the Industrial Revolution started and the Great Exhibition celebrated them both. But the power of progress became uncertain after the sinking of the unsinkable Titanic.
Since then, there have been lots of new technological developments which have led to what we now called globalization. Some of them, such as Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook, have recreated the world of communication. During the decades, International Exhibitions have been organized everywhere and next year Expo Milano 2015 will host the Universal Exposition. Its motto is Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life featuring the new global world challenges.
Explore the websites suggested and complete the tasks.
Task
Work in group and complete the activities below.
THE BRITISH EMPIRE
http://www.theschoolrun.com/homework-help/victorian-era QUEEN VICTORIA AND THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/0/20979973 INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
http://history.howstuffworks.com/european-history/british-empire.htm THE BRITISH EMPIRE
http://primaryfacts.com/675/facts-about-the-great-exhibition-of-1851 THE GREAT EXHIBITION
Read and find out
how long Queen Victoria was on the throne – what the Industrial Revolution was – the heart of revolution – Britain’s advantage over other European countries – who Matthew Bolton and James Watt were and did – what the British Empire was - Why it developed – what inventions kept in contact people across the Atlantic Ocean – who organized the Great Exhibition –where it was held - its aim - famous Victorians who visited it – some exhibits - what the Commonwealth is and the main steps of its development
TITANIC
https://www.titanicbelfast.com/Discover/Ship-Fact-Files/Titanic.aspx IDENTITY CARD
http://www.titanicfacts.net/ NUMBERS
http://www.historyofthetitanic.org/history-of-the-titanic.html A MODERN MARVEL
http://www.the-titanic.com/Passengers.aspx PASSENGERS VIDEO
Read and find out information about
The Titanic's owner’s name – her older “sister” – what her proper title was and why – four figures (=numbers) about the ship you find significant – what Titanic had to symbolize - what there was at the two sides of the ship - how many millionaires there were in America by 1900 – what they “needed” – who the Astors were the equivalent of – who the other millionaires were – what Titanic was like for the first–class passengers – what Mr Astor knew about and what he thought when the ship hit the iceberg - first and second-class ladies main “sport” – how old Mrs Astor was – what happened to Mr Astor - what the British believed – what the Titanic's sinking shook – what the British thought of technology after the disaster
GLOBAL WORLD
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/globalisation/globalisation_rev2.shtml GLOBALIZATION
http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-57_u-185_t-493_c-1813/the-role-of-technology-in-globalisation/nsw TECHNOLOGY
http://www.biography.com/people/mark-zuckerberg-507402#awesm=~oCwAWOpv4zNs7R BIOGRAPHY
Read and find out information about
Reasons for globalisation - Multinational corporations example and short descriptions - the internet and mobile technology - positive and negative impacts of globalization - Mark Zuckerberg’s early life - his time at Harvard – the invention of Facebook – what Mark has done with his money so far
FEEDING THE PLANET
http://www.expo2015.org/en/participants/countries COUNTRIES
http://www.fao.org/ag/humannutrition/25367-05eaea86f3d9477f2492845bcf64d188c.pdf SUB-THEMES
Read and find out information about
The UK’s and the USA’s participation at Expo 2015– the scientific and technological thematic sub-themes at EXPO 2015 and the topics that will be developed
http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/webcontent/wfp202398.pdf STONE SOUP
Read the story and find out
The excuses the townspeople found not to invite the travellers in – the trick the travellers play – the soup secret ingredients and the added ingredients – what happened when the soup was ready – the lesson the townspeople learnt – what (you think) the travellers learnt – English children’s favourite food
Process
Prepare a group PPT presentation about your topic (R-EVOLUTION).
You'll have to use it to present the topic to your classmates.
Don't write too much on the PPT slides. Insert pictures, key words and data only.
Evaluation
Assessment of speaking skills
oral production, pronunciation, intonation, fluency, accuracy, vocabulary and voice quality
Conclusion
Very few things in this world were invented for the direct harm to humans. Indeed, progress always has two sides: a good one and a bad one.
What words do you match with the word “progress”? Why?
What do you think is the best invention ever?
Do you like using technology to learn? Why? Why not?