Island School Humanities
  • Home
  • MYP 1
    • 1. The Universe & Earth >
      • 1. Where did our Universe and Earth come from? >
        • 1. What is the Universe?
        • 2. How Big, Far, Hot, and Old is the Universe?
        • 3. What are Ultimate Questions?
      • 2. What are origin stories?
      • 3. What is the Christian origin story?
      • 4. How did the scientific origin story develop?
      • 5. How do theories become accepted? >
        • 1. Charles Darwin and Evolution
        • 2. Alfred Wegener and Plate Tectonics
      • 6. Can religion and science co-exist?
      • 7. Assessment: Personal beliefs on creation
      • 8. Reflection: Changing Beliefs
    • 2. Natural Systems >
      • 1. How did early humans adapt to natural systems?
      • 2. How did farming help early human societies?
      • 3. What are natural systems?
      • 4. How do tropical rainforest systems work?
      • 5. How does farming affect natural systems in rainforests?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How can rainforests be used in a sustainable way?
      • 8. Reflection: The future of natural systems
    • 3. Ancient Civilisations >
      • 1. What are Ancient Civilisations?
      • 2. How and why do civilisations rise and fall?
      • 3. How successful were the Greeks?
      • 4. How successful were the Chinese?
      • 5. How successful were the Aztecs?
      • 6-7. Assessment: Ancient Civilisations Presentation
      • 8. Reflection: What is the legacy of Ancient Civilisations?
    • 4. Conflict and Crusade >
      • 1. What are the core beliefs of Christianity?
      • 2. What are the core beliefs of Islam?
      • 3. What do world religions teach about conflict?
      • 4. Was religion the main cause of the crusades?
      • 5. What did Muslims think about the Crusades?
      • 6-7. Assessment: Does religion cause conflict?
      • 8. Reflection: Can religion help end conflict?
    • 5. Island Learning - What's MY Hong Kong? >
      • 1. What is the cultural identity of Hong Kong?
      • 2. What is tourism?
      • 3. Where is tourism in Hong Kong located?
      • 4 - 6. Designing Graphics
      • 7-8. Assessment 1: Tourist Attractions in Sha Tin
      • 9-10. Assessment 2: Planning the Fieldtrip
      • 11. Assessment 2: Creating the Brochure
      • 12-14. Developing Design Skills
      • 15. Assessment 2: Designing the Icons
      • 16. Reflection: What have we learnt about HK?
    • Further Reading
  • MYP 2
    • 1. Significance & Symbolism >
      • 1. What and where was the Renaissance?
      • 2. What influenced artists in the Renaissance?
      • 3. Who was the ultimate Renaissance 'artist'?
      • 4. How does culture express time and place?
      • 5-7. Assessment: Artists, Culture & Expression
      • 8. Reflection: How is my own culture expressed?
    • 2. Trade & Exchange >
      • 1. Why do people explore?
      • 2. What is the impact of exploration?
      • 3. How was trade unequal in the past?
      • 4. How does trade and exchange work today?
      • 5. Is the global trade of chocolate fair?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How does fair trade reduce inequalities?
      • 8. Reflection: How can I make trade fairer?
    • 3. Diversity & Change >
      • 1. What is cultural diversity?
      • 2. How did beliefs differ in pre-Colonial Hong Kong?
      • 3. How did the British change Hong Kong's culture?
      • 4. What can we learn about culture from the local area?
      • 5. How does globalisation influence culture today?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How cultural diverse are Hong Kong neighborhoods?
      • 8. Reflection: Should we preserve cultural diversity?
    • 4. Sustainability & Society >
      • 1. Why is urbanisation a problem?
      • 2. How can we research solutions?
      • 3. What have we found out about our issue?
      • 4. How could Hong Kong be more sustainable?
      • 5. What is our solution to the issue?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How can we share our learning?
      • 8. Reflection: Can Hong Kong change?
  • Futures
    • Elements >
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      • Freakonomics
      • History: Film, Food and Fashion
      • Law
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    • Geography
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    • History
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    • Model United Nations
    • TED-Ed Club >
      • Part 1 - Discover >
        • 1. Tell us who you are
        • 2. Discover great ideas
        • 3. Learn the art of feedback
        • 4. Identify your ideas
      • Part 2 - Develop >
        • 5. Build your throughline
        • 6. Plan your talk arc
        • 7. Research and support your idea
        • 8. Write your script
        • 9. Make it visual
        • 10. Say your talk out loud
      • Part 3 - Share
  • More
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      • Island School Global Politics
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2. How can we research solutions?

Activity 1 - What is our project?


Activity Tasks
  1. Review - Examine and review the information about your assessment project on this CAT sheet. Read the instructions then explain to your partner what you think you will have to do to complete this assessment. 
  2. Identify - Now read the mark-scheme on page 2. Note down 4-6 things you will need to do to get a high level for this assessment.

Activity 2 - Who do we work with?


Activity Tasks
  1. Groups - Form into groups of 4-5 students. Your teacher may have specific instructions here. You will be working with this group for the rest of the unit. 
  2. Select - As a group, review the urbanisation topics and issues from the CAT sheet. The ‘topics’ menu on this website can help you explore these issues further. You will need to choose an urbanisation topic and select a specific issue for your group project:
    1. Economic - Careers and Employment Opportunities; Inequality; Poverty; Technology; Trade; Welfare
    2. Environmental - Air Pollution; Biodiversity; Climate Change; Energy Use; Waste Management; Water & Sanitation
    3. Social - Crime & Safety; Disability & Mobility; Education Access & Quality; Gender Issues; Housing; Migration
    4. Spatial - Building Design; Green Spaces; Public Space and Facilities; Transportation & Congestion; Urban Decay
  3. Choose - In your groups you will now need to choose which research role you will take on. Your teacher may assign you or let you select from one of the following research roles. Read each one carefully as each role will be researching a different aspect of your project:
    1. Historian: what is the history of this issue in cities globally?
    2. Social Anthropologist: How is the issue impacting citizens in mega-cities?
    3. Policy Expert: How can institutions help to promote sustainable urban design?
    4. Urban Planner: Which cities have successfully implemented sustainable solutions (for my issue) that can be replicated by other cities? ​
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Activity 3 - How can we work together?


Activity Tasks
  1. Discuss - As a group discuss what challenges there could be in working in a group. Make a list of possible challenges that could face your team. These could include: scheduling problems; group conflicts; uneven contribution; different expectations; getting stuck; groupthink.
    Create - Now complete this team contract worksheet to brainstorm ten solutions and rules for your team. These should be solutions that can help you avoid the challenges you previously identified.

Activity 4 - What do we need to know?


Activity Tasks
  1. Recall - How can we redesign Hong Kong to be more sustainable? In the first column of this table, or using post-it notes on the whiteboard, write down as many single phrases or statements regarding what you already know about the inquiry question for this unit.
  2. Identify - What do you need to know to explore the inquiry question? Complete the second column of the table by making a list of all the questions you need answering in order to complete your projects. 
  3. Reflect - What are the very next steps you could/should take to start answering your need to know questions? Complete the final column of the table by noting down the next steps. 
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Activity 5 - Begin Researching!


Activity Tasks
  1. Record - Use this Action Plan to record all your research and planning for the project. This should be completed individually and will be submitted at the end of the project. 
  2. Identify - Save a copy of this research links worksheet. This provides you with suggested websites and other sources for researching your project.
  3. Plan - Begin research by planning out what need to know questions you have to research for your role. Create 5-10 need to know questions for your role.
  4. Research - Choose your first need to know question. Spend 15 minutes researching that question using the internet and other sources your teacher may have provided.
  5. Reflect - After 15 minutes stop researching and reflect as a group on the following questions:
    1. What question did you start with?
    2. What did you learn in answer to that question?
    3. What new question(s) do you have now?
    4. What challenges are you facing in your research?
  6. Proceed - Keep proceeding with your research and remember to check in with your group at regular intervals using the questions above.
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Activity 6 - Where can I find information?


Activity Tasks
  1. Speaking - You each have one minute to respond to the following questions with your teacher or group. Take some time to review each question and think about what you might say:
    1. How can we access the school library catalogue?
    2. What are ‘search operators’ and how can we use them in google?
    3. Why is it important to triangulate research?
    4. Why is it necessary to have a question in mind before we research?
    5. What is MISO and how could it help us research?
    6. What is the best way to record notes as we research?
    7. How can we review the reliability of websites?
    8. How do we generate APA citations?
    9. What are the biggest challenges I have when researching?
  2. Listening - Whilst someone is speaking, you must remain absolutely silent until they have stopped. Think about how you feel in response to what they are saying, whether you agree or disagree with them and why.
  3. Reflect - Discuss the following questions to reflect upon what you’ve talked about and learnt as a group:​
    1. What did you hear that was significant? 
    2. What key ideas or insights were shared?
    3. How did this go for you? 
    4. What worked well, and what was difficult? Why?
    5. How might your conversations have been different had we not done this activity?
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Activity 7 - What have I learnt so far?


Activity Tasks
  1. Reflect - At the end of the lesson, review your research so far. Discuss the following questions as a group, being sure to listen and not interrupt each speaker:
    1. What has been answered?
    2. What is proving less or more important?
    3. What new questions are emerging?
    4. How is your research informing your topic?
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Research Links


HISTORIAN - WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF URBANISATION ISSUES?
  1. A short history of urbanisation - Pages 20-31 from this OECD publication outline a brief history of urbanisation and details some of the predicted trends for the future. Can be read online or check this folder for a scanned copy.
  2. Hidden cities: unmasking and overcoming health inequities in urban settings (Challenging) - This executive summary might be important to provide for historians and social anthropologists in research to certain teams. All students would benefit from reading it.
  3. The History of Urbanization, 3700 BC - 2000 AD - Interesting YouTube video showing how urbanisation has developed across the world over time. Here is an interactive map version.
  4. Urbanization - This National Geographic webpage briefly describes urbanisation and gives lots of links to other resources on the topic.
  5. Urbanization and Its Historical Stages - A one-page website summary of urbanisation and how it has developed.
  6. Urbanization and the Megacity - This website gives a good overview of how megacities have developed over time.
  7. World Cities Report 2016 (Challenging) - This source can be used by all roles to help build a stronger background on urbanization or cities in general. The abridged report details the history of urbanization, the challenges, and approaches to sustainability.
SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGIST - HOW ARE URBANISATION ISSUES AFFECTING CITIZENS IN MEGACITIES?
  1. Atlas of Urban Expansion - This resource gathers data and evidence about major cities globally and could be integrated into your research.
  2. 14.1 A Brief History of Urbanization – Social Problems - This webpage article outlines a brief history of urbanisation in the USA and some of the social problems caused by it.
  3. UN Habitat Research and Publications (Challenging) - This page provides links to publications on how cities are dealing with issues of urbanisation from around the world.
POLICY EXPERT - HOW CAN INSTITUTIONS HELP TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN?
  1. NEW URBAN AGENDA (Challenging) - This policy document was published by the 2016 UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development. It outlines what governments around the world have committed to in making their cities more sustainable.
  2. UN Habitat: Best Practices - This UN website showcases some of the best sustainable urban design solutions from around the world.
  3. UN Sustainable Development Goals - This website gives an overview of the Sustainable Development Goals and specifically details history of Goal #11, Building Sustainable Cities and Communities. It is a great starting point for your research.
  4. World Urban Campaign: Partners - This page lists publications on sustainable development from organisations and institutions from around the world.
URBAN PLANNER - WHICH CITIES HAVE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS?
  1. City Lab - This website gives many case studies on solutions to issues cities face globally. Groups can use this in their solutions to specific issues.
  2. Cities of the Future - This documentary describes successful solutions for urbanization around the world. Ideas can be implemented into a team’s plan of action.
  3. Kirsten Dirksen - Interesting YouTube channel of videos related to urban home design and how to make homes more sustainable.
  4. TED Talks: Urban Planning - This list of Ted Talks include multiple speakers’ perspectives on strategies to help promote better urban planning and sustainable development. It could be useful to browse through these videos and use some during the discussion on strategies for sustainable development.
  5. World Urban Campaign: Solutions - This page gives lots of links to real-world projects that have been implemented around the world and that could be used to inspire your group.

PREVIOUS LESSON - WHY IS URBANISATION A PROBLEM?
NEXT LESSON - WHAT have we found out about our issue?

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  • Home
  • MYP 1
    • 1. The Universe & Earth >
      • 1. Where did our Universe and Earth come from? >
        • 1. What is the Universe?
        • 2. How Big, Far, Hot, and Old is the Universe?
        • 3. What are Ultimate Questions?
      • 2. What are origin stories?
      • 3. What is the Christian origin story?
      • 4. How did the scientific origin story develop?
      • 5. How do theories become accepted? >
        • 1. Charles Darwin and Evolution
        • 2. Alfred Wegener and Plate Tectonics
      • 6. Can religion and science co-exist?
      • 7. Assessment: Personal beliefs on creation
      • 8. Reflection: Changing Beliefs
    • 2. Natural Systems >
      • 1. How did early humans adapt to natural systems?
      • 2. How did farming help early human societies?
      • 3. What are natural systems?
      • 4. How do tropical rainforest systems work?
      • 5. How does farming affect natural systems in rainforests?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How can rainforests be used in a sustainable way?
      • 8. Reflection: The future of natural systems
    • 3. Ancient Civilisations >
      • 1. What are Ancient Civilisations?
      • 2. How and why do civilisations rise and fall?
      • 3. How successful were the Greeks?
      • 4. How successful were the Chinese?
      • 5. How successful were the Aztecs?
      • 6-7. Assessment: Ancient Civilisations Presentation
      • 8. Reflection: What is the legacy of Ancient Civilisations?
    • 4. Conflict and Crusade >
      • 1. What are the core beliefs of Christianity?
      • 2. What are the core beliefs of Islam?
      • 3. What do world religions teach about conflict?
      • 4. Was religion the main cause of the crusades?
      • 5. What did Muslims think about the Crusades?
      • 6-7. Assessment: Does religion cause conflict?
      • 8. Reflection: Can religion help end conflict?
    • 5. Island Learning - What's MY Hong Kong? >
      • 1. What is the cultural identity of Hong Kong?
      • 2. What is tourism?
      • 3. Where is tourism in Hong Kong located?
      • 4 - 6. Designing Graphics
      • 7-8. Assessment 1: Tourist Attractions in Sha Tin
      • 9-10. Assessment 2: Planning the Fieldtrip
      • 11. Assessment 2: Creating the Brochure
      • 12-14. Developing Design Skills
      • 15. Assessment 2: Designing the Icons
      • 16. Reflection: What have we learnt about HK?
    • Further Reading
  • MYP 2
    • 1. Significance & Symbolism >
      • 1. What and where was the Renaissance?
      • 2. What influenced artists in the Renaissance?
      • 3. Who was the ultimate Renaissance 'artist'?
      • 4. How does culture express time and place?
      • 5-7. Assessment: Artists, Culture & Expression
      • 8. Reflection: How is my own culture expressed?
    • 2. Trade & Exchange >
      • 1. Why do people explore?
      • 2. What is the impact of exploration?
      • 3. How was trade unequal in the past?
      • 4. How does trade and exchange work today?
      • 5. Is the global trade of chocolate fair?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How does fair trade reduce inequalities?
      • 8. Reflection: How can I make trade fairer?
    • 3. Diversity & Change >
      • 1. What is cultural diversity?
      • 2. How did beliefs differ in pre-Colonial Hong Kong?
      • 3. How did the British change Hong Kong's culture?
      • 4. What can we learn about culture from the local area?
      • 5. How does globalisation influence culture today?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How cultural diverse are Hong Kong neighborhoods?
      • 8. Reflection: Should we preserve cultural diversity?
    • 4. Sustainability & Society >
      • 1. Why is urbanisation a problem?
      • 2. How can we research solutions?
      • 3. What have we found out about our issue?
      • 4. How could Hong Kong be more sustainable?
      • 5. What is our solution to the issue?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How can we share our learning?
      • 8. Reflection: Can Hong Kong change?
  • Futures
    • Elements >
      • Big History Project
      • Freakonomics
      • History: Film, Food and Fashion
      • Law
      • Mundo Geographico
      • Philosophy at the Movies
      • Run Your Own Business
      • Social Psychology
      • Urban Survival
    • Entrance >
      • Business
      • Economics
      • Geography
      • History
      • Religious Studies
    • Escape
    • Explorations
  • IBDP
    • Business & Management
    • Economics
    • Environmental Systems and Societies
    • Geography
    • Global Politics
    • History
    • Philosophy
    • Psychology
  • ECA
    • Model United Nations
    • TED-Ed Club >
      • Part 1 - Discover >
        • 1. Tell us who you are
        • 2. Discover great ideas
        • 3. Learn the art of feedback
        • 4. Identify your ideas
      • Part 2 - Develop >
        • 5. Build your throughline
        • 6. Plan your talk arc
        • 7. Research and support your idea
        • 8. Write your script
        • 9. Make it visual
        • 10. Say your talk out loud
      • Part 3 - Share
  • More
    • About
    • I&S Blog
    • Links >
      • Island School Business and Economics
      • Island School Global Politics
      • Island School History
      • Island School PRS