I have learned several things while solving these problems. Since the specifications of the problems called for little or no power point, I learned how to prepare presentations without relying on power point slides. Actually, most of the presentations, includign those of other groups, called for a skit to be performed. This aspect made the class much more enjoyable and fun since the presentations were mostly acting.
The most interesting thing that I learned from my research for this class was how advanced Roman engineering was. I found that many of the methods that the Romans used for construction are still the way things are constructed today. For example: the Romans developed concrete and bricks to make walls; they developed a layer system for builing roads; and they also developed to the use of coffer dams to make bridges.
Our group worked extremely well together. Not only did we seem to have good chemistry, but we each brought dfferent talents and different ways of thinking to the group that allowed us to view the problems from many different angles.
Jordan's business experience made our group meetings smooth-running and productive. Jordan was also a big help in making our videos because of his connnections to students studying electronic media who were willing to help us. Justin was able to use his computer knowledge to help our group with technology. Since three members of our group are scientifically minded (Business/Pre-Med major, Engineering/Business major, and IT major), Rachel was a great addition to our group because of her completely different way of thinking. She was able to bring many new out-of-the-box ideas to our presentations such as making the "road cake." And lastly, my own civil engineering skills were able to help our group in understanding the construction and technology of hte Romans. My music talent also came in handy when we needed a trumpet bit to play as Apollo entered. Although I do not play trunpet, I was able to write to music on my guitar, then create the trumpet sound on my computer.
Monday, November 3, 2008
PBL 1: Roads and Bridges
My first problem to solve involved making a presentation aimed at increasing the excitement of children to learn about ancient Rome. The facts involved in the presentation had to be focused on Roman roads and bridges. The topics to be included about roads and bridges were construction, art, history, and uses.
Since there were four of us in the group, we decided that each of us should research one of the four major topics. Since I am a civil engineering student, I took the topic of construction. From our research, each one of us created an outline.
For the presentation, we looked for a way that would most interest children. We decided that we should create a road that lead the audience through time, into ancient Rome. The presenters would then be dressed up and acting as Roman characters. This way, the character would be able to keep the children's attention, and the children would learn more about ancient Rome, since we would be acting as historical Romans.
We created a character to act as the keeper of the Road into Ancient Rome. Her job was to set the story, talk about history, and introduce the other characters. The other characters would be actual Romans, each one talking about how they relate to roads and bridges. Pliny the Elder, a historian and great lover of art, would talk about the influence of Roman roads and bridges on art. Pompey, a politition, would talk about the uses of roads. And I would be Scipio Africanus, a famed Roman general, who would talk about the construction of roads and bridges.
We created a powerpoint to hold a short video introducing our topic and all the pictures that each of us would be using in the presentation.
As an extra visual aid, we made a layered dessert that would help children visualize the layers in constructing a road. The three layers of the road were represented by a layer of brownie, a layer of cake, and a top layer of cookies and icing to represent the paving stones set in concrete.
A quiz was also made to be given at the end of the presentation. The audience would be split into teams, and the team with the most questions right would win the road cake.
Since there were four of us in the group, we decided that each of us should research one of the four major topics. Since I am a civil engineering student, I took the topic of construction. From our research, each one of us created an outline.
For the presentation, we looked for a way that would most interest children. We decided that we should create a road that lead the audience through time, into ancient Rome. The presenters would then be dressed up and acting as Roman characters. This way, the character would be able to keep the children's attention, and the children would learn more about ancient Rome, since we would be acting as historical Romans.
We created a character to act as the keeper of the Road into Ancient Rome. Her job was to set the story, talk about history, and introduce the other characters. The other characters would be actual Romans, each one talking about how they relate to roads and bridges. Pliny the Elder, a historian and great lover of art, would talk about the influence of Roman roads and bridges on art. Pompey, a politition, would talk about the uses of roads. And I would be Scipio Africanus, a famed Roman general, who would talk about the construction of roads and bridges.
We created a powerpoint to hold a short video introducing our topic and all the pictures that each of us would be using in the presentation.
As an extra visual aid, we made a layered dessert that would help children visualize the layers in constructing a road. The three layers of the road were represented by a layer of brownie, a layer of cake, and a top layer of cookies and icing to represent the paving stones set in concrete.
A quiz was also made to be given at the end of the presentation. The audience would be split into teams, and the team with the most questions right would win the road cake.
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