Problem-Solving Activity for Belief Systems
Problem: You have been commissioned with a special task. The curators of the Hagia Sophia would like
you (who has expertise in Christianity and Islam) to redesign the sacred site as a museum that honors
both the Christian and Muslim belief systems. You will have 2 years to complete this project and a
budget that will allow you to purchase 7 authentic items representing important aspects of Christianity,
and 7 items representing important aspects of Islam. The curators have received a World Heritage grant
to purchase 10 i-pads, 50 digital recorders, 50 sets of headphones, 1 wi-fi hot spot, and 3 fully-equipped
theatres with surround sound. You will have to figure out how to use this technology to educate 5,000
daily visitors who speak a variety of languages. You will also have 10 guides available when the museum
is open from 9-5, seven days a week. Good luck!
Step 1: Identify task in your words
Step 1: List all important information here
Step 2:
Details:
Step 3:
Details:
Step 4:
Details:
List three ways you will know that you successfully completed the task
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Diagram of Hagia Sophia. Retrieved November 12, 2012 from
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Hagia-Sophia-Grundriss.jpg
Homework: On a separate sheet of paper, write a 1-page response to the following tasks:
Task 1: Describe what you know about the Hagia Sophia (you may want to use the textbook and/or
notebook).
Task 2: Explain the steps you devised to solve this problem.
Task 3: Evaluate how well you believe you solved this problem. What are the strengths and weaknesses
of your plan? How could it be stronger?
Task 4: Take a look at the Hagia Sophia with Google Earth. Under layers, choose 360 Cities/3D Buildings
and look inside. Identify and explain 2 ways this technology could help you improve your plan.
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Criteria
Task 1 (see above)
Task 2 (see above)
Task 3 (see above)
Task 4 (see above)
2 Points
Student has written a
detailed description of
the Hagia Sophia.
Student has generated
a list of steps that
should adequately solve
the problem.
1 Point
Student has written a
description of the Hagia
Sophia with few details.
Student has generated
a list of steps that is
incomplete, and may
not lead to a solution.
Student has reflected
on solution and
identified several
strengths and
weaknesses.
Student has indentified
at least two ways that
Google Earth might
improve this plan.
Student has not
identified both
strengths and
weaknesses of the
proposed solution.
Student has identified
at least one way Google
Earth might be used to
improve this plan.
0
Student has not
described any aspects
of the Hagia Sophia.
Student has written a
largely incomplete or
illogical set of steps that
does not address the
problem.
Student has not
reflected upon the
proposed solution in
any significant way.
Student has not
identified any
significant way that
Google Earth might be
used to support this
plan.
3