II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.1 The meaning and features of modernisation
II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A. Early attempts at modernisation – reforms and revolutions
A1 The Meaning and Features of modernisation:
Did China’s modernisation developments in the first half of the 20th
century enable China to experience fundamental changes?
Number of periods required:
4 (Each period lasts for 40 minutes)
1.
Teaching and Learning Background:
a. This topic will be dealt with in the first term of S4.
b. Basically, students
modernisation.
are
relatively
unfamiliar
with
the
concept
of
c. During the junior secondary stage, students have learnt to analyze and
discuss sources (video clips, cartoons, texts, photographs, models, etc.).
Although the effects may not be ideal, all students have the experiences of
conducting historical enquiries and analyzing questions using historical
sources.
d. The students’ learning abilities are mediocre only. Nevertheless, as a whole,
students are willing to learn. However, there is still room for improvement in
their ability to analyze, compare and discuss historical sources.
e. Learning differences exist in the class as a whole. A small number of students
have mastered the basic skills of analysis. .
f. Collaborative learning will be adopted. Students will analyze, organize and
discuss resources along the given topic, and then report to all students at the
end.
g. Teacher should note whether students are able to analyze the sources from
various perspectives. Students’ routine and test performance should be used
as the basis for grouping, and as far as possible students of higher and lower
learning abilities should be put in the same group, so as to enhance the
collaboraton among students and to allow all students equal chance of
participation in class.
2.
Teaching and Learning Objectives:
a. To enable students to have a preliminary understanding of the meaning of
“modernization” in different places in the world at the beginning of the 20th
century by showing them video clips;
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.1 The meaning and features of modernisation
b. To enable students to find out evidences relating to the meaning of
modernisatoin and make personal judgment through watching the video
clips,
c. To enable students to have a preliminary understanding of the concept of
“modernisation” with regard to the achievements in modernisation made by
various countries in the world (with Britain and Japan as examples here), and
to compare the sources and the documentary clips so as to have more
understanding of the development of the modernisation of China;
d. To enable students to accept and respect different views and opinions of their
fellow students, and by doing so, enhance their thinking skills and ability to
express; and
e. To enable students, through discussion and reporting activities in class, to
systematically analyze, conclude and organize historical sources, and, finally,
offer appropriate responses to issues designated by the teacher.
3.
Learning and Teaching Strategies
a.
Firstly, the teacher shows The Rise of the Great Nations to let students have
a preliminary impression and understanding of the development process of
the modernisation of three of the countries, including China. (about 1 period)
b. When showing the video clip, the teacher may ask whether the content of the
clip reflects the meaning and features of modernisation, and ask students to
make their own judgement and to note down evidences that can be
considered as features of modernisation (see Worksheet 1).
c. The teacher can then ask students to compare the situations and the
phenomena of China’s modernisation with the situations of modernisation of
other places in the world (see Worksheet 2). Discussion may include the
Japanese Constitution, Europe’s Industrial Revolution, the development of
democracy / passing of Reform Acts in Britain.
d. The teacher forms groups of students according to different abilities* (5-6
students per group, altogether 6 groups). Students then share with other
members of their group what they have observed (see Worksheet 1 and
Worksheet 2), then have a discussion (see Worksheet 3), and then report to
the whole class.
e. This part of comparing and discussion takes about 1.5 periods.
f. Lastly, students should report to the whole class the outcome of their
discussion. (about 1 period) Then, the teacher should guide students to make
a conclusion with reference to all the sources, discussions and content of the
textbook. (About 0.5 period)
* “Different abilities” here means that there will be members of different abilities in each group, in
which case students of higher academic ability can help those of lower academic ability, while the
latter can have the opportunities to improve their thinking skills through group discussions. For the
sake of preventing students of higher academic ability from monopolizing all reporting opportunities,
the teacher should ask students to take turns to take up different positions in the group so that all
students have the chance to participate in discussion and reporting.
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.1 The meaning and features of modernisation
4.
Expected Outcomes/Difficulties
a.
Due to their mediocre abilities, students in general are not very devoted to their
learning. Therefore, they may not have adequate preparations before class.
However, as the learning atmosphere of the class is favourable, it is hopeful that
students’ generic skills may be enhanced to a certain extent.
b. There may be variations in students’ concept of modernisation. Some students
often merely describe the conditions of things at a certain level and fail to elaborate
on how such things developed from a relatively backward/traditional level into an
advanced stage. The teacher should give students guidance at this point.
c. Since there will be students of different abilities in each group, who can help each
other, students may enhance their thinking skills through discussion and reporting.
d. After these periods, some students will have mastered, basically, the skills to
analyze, conclude, discuss and tackle examinations. The teacher must offer
appropriate help for students to consolidate their skills in answering examination
questions.
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.1 The meaning and features of modernisation
Worksheet 1
Modernisation and transformation of China –
Meaning and Features of Modernisation
Please identify evidence of modernisation from the video clip The Rise of the Great Nations,
and record the evidence on the table below, to be used as reference information for group
discussions. (Free answer, teacher may give advice and lead students in discussion.)
Evidence of modernisation:：
Name of Country:_________________________________
Evidence of Modernisation:
1.
_______________________________________________________ .
2.
_______________________________________________________ .
3.
_______________________________________________________ .
Name of Country:__________________________________
Evidence of Modernisation:
1.
_______________________________________________________ .
2.
_______________________________________________________ .
3.
_______________________________________________________ .
Name of Country:_________________________________
Evidence of Modernisation:
1.
_______________________________________________________ .
2.
_______________________________________________________ .
3.
_______________________________________________________ .
4
II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.1 The meaning and features of modernisation
Worksheet 2
Modernisation and transformation of China –
Meaning and Features of Modernisation
From the movie, students can know that there were differences between China’s modernisation
process and that of other countries in various aspects such as political, social, economic, as well as
people’s livelihood. Please compare the similarities and differences between China and other countries
with regard to their modernisations.
Items for
Comparison
China
Country: ___________
Political
Economic
Social
People’s
Livelihood
Other Aspects
5
Country: ___________
II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.1 The meaning and features of modernisation
Worksheet 3
Modernisation and transformation of China –
Meaning and Featuresof Modernisation
During group discussion, students may first share their personal observations with other group
members, and record various information in the table below. When discussion time is over,
students may report to the whole class.
(Free answer, teacher may give advice and guide students in discussion.)
Evidence of Modernisation in the Movie
Personal
Observations
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
6
Group Discussion
Outcome