Tour 1: Oscar Wilde (1882) tour
Tour 2: Charles Dickens’ 1842 America
Tour 2: Charles Dickens’ 1842 America
Tour 3: Charles Dickens’ 1867, 1868 America
Tour 4: Henry David Thoreau’s (1846) - “Walden Pond” Excursion – Concord, Massachusetts
Tour 5: Mark Twain’s (1876) - “Mississippi” Excursion – Hannibal, Missouri
Reflection questions:
Reflection questions:1)
a. What main topic does the artifact relates to? In what way?
Ans: It relates to Human migration and movement, which my tour is about Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and Henry David Thoreau who came to America as a tour, and we will follow their footsteps and show people the places they've been in those tours. I think it relates to migration in some way, because a lot of people came to America and then migrated to America.
b. Which other main topic does it also relate to?
Abs: I think it also relates to Building of the modern economy, because tourism must be a very new and special thing in the nineteenth century, which might build up the economy in a not traditional way such as business or trade, selling things.
2) Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and /or processing it?
Ans: I didn't choose these artifacts, but I choose the tours. Oscar wilde, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and one of my favourite authors, and by chance they've came to America, an interesting tour. Also, I think it would be quite interesting to follow a prestigious author's steps on a journey. It took me some time around 3 hours ot create it, because I will have to do researches on the locations, and equipments of that time so no anachronism would appear. Also, I have to convert everything into the price at that time; and that took me some time.
3) What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?
Ans: I used the application "Pages" on apple to create this brochure. I never knew how to convert pages into PDF file and then into seperate pictures. Through this artifact, I learned how to create pictures out of everything, which would be very useful in my future homework, so I consider the technological side more of a gain. In addition, I learned about the price of objects at that time, and the cost of each penny is different from what is today. Also, the style of writing an advertisement is very fun to do, because when I was in Dulwich, I took a class called "journalism" but never really used any of the techniques, since in our regular english classes " English Literature" and " English Language", we write analysis and reviews on literature and language. So in this artifact I get to use the skills I've learned thus can identify what I really know and what I don't know.
4) Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?
Ans: I think this artifact reflects my best work. I have to read through lots of encyclopedia and websites in order to compact it into this small amount of information I have. Also, my ideas are original, the Brochures are original, it can not be found anywhere in the web, I didn't even paraphrase it. I read through and understood everything, and came it up with my own words.
5) Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5 (0 is neutral) for the following four criterion.
a. Impact on the quality of your portfolio. 3
b. Impact on your level of enjoyment and happiness. 5
c. Impact on your learning. 5
d. Level of creativity and Originality. 3
6) Any additional comments.
Ans: No comment
Artifact 2: Transcontinental railroad Map
The transcontinental railroad was the railroad that linked the eastern part of America with the Western part of America built between 1863 and 1869. The Eastern portion of the railroad began in counsel bluffs Iowa, and went for 1087 miles. The union pacific built the line through what is today Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. Their portion of the root connected with the western section in promontory summit Utah.
Artifact 3: The Google earth tour - Lewis and Clark Expedition (mapping)
Download My Google Earth Tour on Lewis anc Clark's expedition
The Lewis and Clark’ expedition 1804-1806 was made to find out exactly what America had bought in the Louisiana Purchase. The lands included in the purchase were so extensive the very few people understood how much natural resources and native inhabitants. The actual expedition was lead by Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark; their expedition team was called the “Corps of Discovery”. Lewis and Clark were instructed by President Jefferson to: Map a new route to the Pacific Ocean, make contact with the Native Americans, obtain specimens for further study, and keep a full record of activities during the Expedition.
President Thomas Jefferson wanted Lewis and Clark to embark on this trip from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania all the way to mouth of the Columbia river, in what is today Oregon. The journey was significant for many reasons. First, it was only the third successful return expedition made up till that time. Second, there was considerable contact with Native Americans including the famous Sacajawea who served as a guide for the expedition. A third important result of this journey was the cattle logging of over 100 new botanical and zoological specimens, 68 minerals specimens, and a detailed map of where they had been. Some specimens were also alive, such as a Mandan Indian, and a Prairie dog. Most historians consider Lewis and Clark greatest achievement to be the building of friendships between his small group and the native people. Just like Jamestown, Lewis and Clark expedition would have either starved to death or been lost never to return. These explorers visited nearly 36 tribes in their two-year journey.
The western portion of the transcontinental was built by the central pacific railroad and stretched for 690 miles. It started in Sacramento, California, and went through Nevada and Utah. Again, it met the Union pacific in promontory summit. The transcontinental railroad is best remembered for four reasons. The first reason is that it finally connected an overland root that made it possible to journey from New York to California by rail in a matter of weeks rather than months. Previously, the fastest root was across the Isthmus of Panama. Second reason was the incredible engineering feat of crossing white deserts and the two mountain ranges of the sierra Nevada, and the Rocky mountains. Construction of tunnels, bridges, and switchbacks forced engineers to use new and untried methods. Most significantly, construction was so competitive between East and west that at one time a single track-laying team laid a record 16 miles a track in one day. The Civil War had considerably delayed the process. A third major reason this event is memorable was the importation of thousands of ethnic Chinese, who worked in work gangs, blasting, and tunnelling. They were greatly exploited for their labour and lack of safety, concerns. A second major ethic group that was exploited for this building method were the Irish who came from the east after the Civil war. The fourth and final reason that the transcontinental railroad is best remembered, that it once end for all joined east and west in America. The original transcontinental railroad no longer exists because it has been changed so much. However, it is almost impossible not to consider the event of driving the golden spike in promontory on May the 10th, 1869. The final result meant that travel from coast to coast was now reduced from 6 months to only 9 days.
Reflection questions:
1)
a. What main topic does the artifact relates to? In what way?
Ans: I think it relates to Communication and transportation revolution. The transcontinental railroad was the first railroad that linked the eastern part of America with the Western part of America built between 1863 and 1869. It's a revolution in the conveniency of transportation, you can go from the east to the south in a few weeks instead of months or years.
b. Which other main topic does it also relate to?
Ans: I think it also relates to the notion of the frontiers,which the railroad allowed the people to go from the east to the south and can explore.
Ans: I think it also relates to the notion of the frontiers,which the railroad allowed the people to go from the east to the south and can explore.
2) Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and /or processing it?
Ans: This is an easy artifact to do, it only took me 30 minutes to draw it and scan it into my computer. I didn't choose this artifact, Mr. Kinzer did, althought he didn't say we have to do this one. I did it because I thought it would be interesting to draw a map of railraods which can also help my understanding of the railroad in a visualising sense, not purly described by words.
Ans: This is an easy artifact to do, it only took me 30 minutes to draw it and scan it into my computer. I didn't choose this artifact, Mr. Kinzer did, althought he didn't say we have to do this one. I did it because I thought it would be interesting to draw a map of railraods which can also help my understanding of the railroad in a visualising sense, not purly described by words.
3) What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?
Ans: I learned about the art of cartography, that you have to be precise when drawing a map. I also learned about the symbols of each state, because before I only learned about the names and not the symbols.
Ans: I learned about the art of cartography, that you have to be precise when drawing a map. I also learned about the symbols of each state, because before I only learned about the names and not the symbols.
4) Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?
Ans: I think this artifact does reflect my best work and ideas. I drew precisely the map of the FIRST railroad, not the added ones, although I am not a very good artist, but I think I did a good job on the cartography.
Ans: I think this artifact does reflect my best work and ideas. I drew precisely the map of the FIRST railroad, not the added ones, although I am not a very good artist, but I think I did a good job on the cartography.
5) Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5 (0 is neutral) for the following four criterion.
a. Impact on the quality of your portfolio. 3
b. Impact on your level of enjoyment and happiness. 5
c. Impact on your learning. 5
d. Level of creativity and Originality. 4
6) Any additional comments.
Ans: No comment
Artifact 3: The Google earth tour - Lewis and Clark Expedition (mapping)
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| Lewis and Clark |
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| Lewis, Clark, and Sacajawea |
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| South Dakota Trail |
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| Big map of Lewis and Clark's trail |
The Lewis and Clark’ expedition 1804-1806 was made to find out exactly what America had bought in the Louisiana Purchase. The lands included in the purchase were so extensive the very few people understood how much natural resources and native inhabitants. The actual expedition was lead by Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark; their expedition team was called the “Corps of Discovery”. Lewis and Clark were instructed by President Jefferson to: Map a new route to the Pacific Ocean, make contact with the Native Americans, obtain specimens for further study, and keep a full record of activities during the Expedition.
President Thomas Jefferson wanted Lewis and Clark to embark on this trip from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania all the way to mouth of the Columbia river, in what is today Oregon. The journey was significant for many reasons. First, it was only the third successful return expedition made up till that time. Second, there was considerable contact with Native Americans including the famous Sacajawea who served as a guide for the expedition. A third important result of this journey was the cattle logging of over 100 new botanical and zoological specimens, 68 minerals specimens, and a detailed map of where they had been. Some specimens were also alive, such as a Mandan Indian, and a Prairie dog. Most historians consider Lewis and Clark greatest achievement to be the building of friendships between his small group and the native people. Just like Jamestown, Lewis and Clark expedition would have either starved to death or been lost never to return. These explorers visited nearly 36 tribes in their two-year journey.
On September 23, 1806, Lewis and Clark finally reached civilisation in St. Louis Missouri. In the fall of the same year, Lewis and Clark met the president and were rewarded handsomely for their efforts. Each man received double pay, considerable landholdings, and promotions in the military. By 1812, Lewis was dead from suicide, and Sacajawea died of illness. Clark did not die until 1838. The American people remembered Lewis and Clark Corps of discovery expedition with bicentennial celebrations in 2004. Most of the places that they visited along their trail still bear the names that Lewis and Clark attached to them. The expedition travelled more than 8000 miles, this was 4162 miles each way.
Ultimately, Lewis and Clark were able to accomplish their mission, which was to map the lands of the Louisiana Purchase and make westward expansion a reality. However, they never found the complete river passage they were looking for to the Pacific Ocean. The best account of their epic journey is in the eight volumes “The definitive journal of Lewis and Clark by Meriwether Lewis.” These accounts are remarkable because they include the smallest details such as the emotions they felt, the hardships they have experienced, and the cultural differences between the whites and the natives.
Reflection questions:
1)
a. What main topic does the artifact relates to? In what way?
Ans: It relates to Notion of the frontiers, Lewis and Clark is exploring the Frontier of America, Louisiana purchase, when the land is new and uncivilised. Lots of natives were there, and their expedition crossed 11 states. They discovered a lot of new things from this land, 100 new botanical and zoological specimens, and 68 mineral specimens, that is 168 new specimens. They saw other new people that they cannot see in their original land. I think Notion of the Frontier incorporates the idea of finding out new things and exploring the borders of a country.
b. Which other main topic does it also relate to?
Ans: I think it also relates to Urbanisation: construction of the modern city. Without Lewis and Clark's expedition, I guess no one will every have the courage to travel along on this new, undiscovered, and uncivilised land. Lewis and Clark helped open up the south, they helped south become what they are today. Everything such as the California Gold rush, and the construction of the Transcontinental railroad comes after them.
2) Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and /or processing it?
Ans: I didn't choose this artifact, Mr. Kinzer did. However, I enjoyed doing the tour very much. It took me around an hour to gather all the information I have to say in the google earth, and It only took me around 45 minutes to record it, since there will be errors in the recording sometimes, and thus have to repeat again; otherwise, the whole recording of the google earth tour project is no more than 6 minutes.
3) What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?
Ans: I think the google earth tour helped me on the big picture of Lewis and Clark's expedition, it helps visualise everything I've learned in class. Since this is the second time I'm using google earth, a lot of the skills came easier, such as how to upload google earth onto Mediafire, and so people whoever have google earth can download it and view it. Also, the record stops after every 2 minutes, so you will have to reclick the recording button 2 times, so it will start recording again. I consider the technological skills more sophisticated than a few months before. However, I am still working on posting pictures onto Google earth, now i kind of figured it out.
4) Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?
Ans: I think this reflects my best work. Since I understand the topic well, I can write a concise, cogent summary than includes the quintessence, essential information about the "Lewis and Clark's" expedition. I find that a summary is very hard to write, if you are trying to prolixity and verbosity. I discussed this with my friends, since a lot of my classmates have taken U.S. modern history for a year, and I only took it for a term, they have a deeper understanding about it. I did a lot of research, summarised, and made the tour. I think this is my best work so far I can produce; but I think there is still space for improvement that requires more time, maturity, and energy.
5) Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5 (0 is neutral) for the following four criterion.
a. Impact on the quality of your portfolio.4
b. Impact on your level of enjoyment and happiness.5
c. Impact on your learning. 5
d. Level of creativity and Originality. 4
6) Any additional comments.
Ans: No comment.
