Task 2 (TH: Cartographic Projections). Information

Here you have the information that we have prepared for the exposition!

In this exposition we are going to talk about cartographic projections.First of all,taking into account the caracteristics of the different projections(Robinson,Mercator and Azimuthal) we are going to compare two selected countries(Canada and Turkey) .Furthermore we are going to choose one of the projections that we would use in the classroom.
Secondly,we are going to focus on the media and how it can determine the vision of students in the majority of things,also we are gonig to explain the relationship between this task and  the slogan "media are not neutral" and finally we are going to give you another example of treasure hunt.

1-COMPARISON BETWEEN MAPS

First it is important to say that we have chosen Canada and Turkey to do the comparison between the different projections.

In the Robinson projection we can see that the distortion is at the poles. Nearer the poles there is more distortion, and we see the countries become smaller.  So, Canada is more distorted than Turkey, and we can see Canada smaller than it in fact is.

In Mercator projection we can see that the distortion is at the Ecuador, because, Nearer the Ecuador we see the countries become “smaller”. So, Turkey is more distorted than Canada, and we see Turkey smaller than it really is.

More importance is given to Canada than to Turkey because this projection was made for sailing, giving more importance to colonies.

In Azimuthal projection. In this projection the distortion is at the North Pole, so farther the North Pole, the countries become more distorted. However, the difference in size between these two countries is the clearest of the 3 types of projection.

Finally, I can say that the distortions of Turkey and Canada in these kinds of projections don’t affect our perception of reality, something that we can say about Egypt and Sweden. (Egypt is double the size of Sweden).

2-WHAT COULD BE THE BEST PROJECTION FOR BEING USED IN A CLASSROOM?

As future teachers we think that the best projection that could be used in classroom is the Robinson projection. And you will ask yourself why? The answer is simple because this kind of projection shows the entire Earth with less distortion compared to the other projections.

The distortion of this projection is close to the poles so it is perfect because in Primary Education you teach the countries and it has a good shape for an easy learning.

3-MEDIA  DETERMINE THE VISION OF STUDENTS.

ONE EXAMPLE

The media can affect the content we give you in class and how children understand them. One way to avoid it is to show kids how things are in real life. Through this model we can show children that the true shape of a star is spherical and not a geometric shape with five points.

OTHER EXAMPLE

Do you know  that media can determine the vision of students?

Animations films that children watch on TV very often transmit values and ways of viewing life. Exactly Disney animation films transmit stereotypes to children. (The importance of physical beauty, the absent of intellectual concerns in most of the female characters and sexist messages).

For example in The Little Mermaid, as the case more clear, we can perceive a dangerous message to our children: Obesity who is represent by Ursula that is ugly and evil versus thinness who is represent by Ariel that is goodness, submissive, passive, obedient, suffering, domestic and constant aspiration: find a husband.

So to mitigate the effect of this media is very important to read in class co educative books in which children are the principal characters and they can interchange their roles.

4-TREASURE HUNT

A treasure hunt is a game in wich children have to find the answers of determined questions using a series of clues.Normally the treasure hunt is formed by an introduction of the exercise, one exercise with easy questions and another exercise with a  big question to think about.

We have chosen a treasure hunt about animals because we thought that it was interesting. In the classroom when we were teaching science, and exactly the kind of animals and their characteristics, this tool is very useful after the explanation to reinforce the learning .Children and the teacher will have a good time learning together.

 In this treasure hunt children have to write the letter of the animal category next to the characteristic of those animals. After that they have questions to think about.

The relationship between the task and the slogan "Media is not neutral"

The part of “Media are not neutral” refers to the idea that teachers behaviour, material, etc influence on children, for example, many children beliefs that a real star have five points, and that is due to the usual erroneous reproduction of a star with this form. Because of it we think that this task has a relatonship with this slogan.As we can see there are many map representations that are different. Depending on the person who did it and his perception of the reality show the Earth in different ways.Also depending on the maps it has been used for different things: navaigations, colonies...and all of these things are linked to the ideologies and opinions of these years.

THIS IS ALL! (: