👷 T H E T A S K

First of all, we want to present what a projection is. A projection is the display of an image by devices, some examples are a video projector, a slide projection, 3D projection, or in our case a map projection.

Projections – Defining terms and recognizing patterns  A globe is the only “perfect” representation of the Earth’s surface. All maps are distorted in four major ways. The four ways maps are distorted is by the shape, size, distance, and location of the landmasses being mapped. In order to make maps, projections must be made, and different projections require different distortions. For each projection listed below, complete the chart for the correct information.

To solve our task we have chosen 2 countries; Cuba and Italy , because they seem similar in their shape and size.

 But it is not the reality, Cuba is around 30 times bigger than Italy according to its square kilometers. However, Italy has 6 times more population than Cuba, because it is much richer than Cuba, that’s why we tend to see the countries like this, because richer countries tend to be bigger in shape than poor ones.
In order to explain why we can be wrong with the size of the different countries when we look for them in a map, we are going to explain how we can see these countries according to three different projections, Robinson projection, Mercator projection and Azimuthal projection. But first, we have done a summary of the different projections to explain them.

Robinson projection wanted to represent the Earth in a simple and accurate way. The problem is that it distorts countries´shape, so they seem  bigger as we get closer to the poles. This projection adopted an oval shape.
 We can not see changes in Cuba or Italy's shape because they are situated in the equator, so they stay more or less the same.

Mercator projection was oriented to navigation. The problem is that it distorts countries' size, so they are bigger as we get closer to the poles. If we use this projection we can see the real shape of the countries but not their real size. This projection has a flat shape.
We can not see changes in our two countries because they are located in the equator.

Azimuthal projection presents an equilibrated distortion. It represents the pole and complete hemispheres. This map is like if we see the Earth from above. The problem is that when you get closer to the equator, that is the line around it, the countries get more distorted in area and shape . Moreover it increases with distances. This projection has a rounded shape.
In this map we can see how Cuba has stretched a little bit more than Italy, because Cuba is nearer the equator.

We would choose the Mercator projection in our lessons to a primary classroom, because we think that for children it is easier to understand. Using this projection they would see the real SHAPE of the countries but not their  size so as to solve this problem  we could tell them that the size of the countries is not the real one, and explain to them the distortion that Mercator projection presented. Moreover we will say to them that if we represent countries as they really are they cannot fill in a map. Our main objective as future teachers is to ensure that children are able to identify all countries in a map without importance the projection used.

According to the slogan "Media are not neutral" we want to say that in our daily life we can see a lot of moments in which Media show us something that does not correspond to reality. Here we are going to show you some examples.

• Marketing tends to sell an ideal product, which doesn’t correspond to the real one. Like food.

• Beauty tends to show as the “ideal stereotype”, for example Barbie.

              

But it also occurs in Education:

• Flashcards tend to show all animals/food/object with the same size. So if they have never seen this before, they might be confused with reality.

             

• Toys. We can see this in advertisements where they tend to associate boys with violent and rough games, and girls with domestic ones. So media is dividing people by gender, associating one role in society with gender. For example, a girl might think that she needs to be a housewife or housekeeper because that is what she is being told (by toys in this case), or a boy might think that he needs to be a policeman or fireman.
  We can see this in schools, were boys don’t let girls play football, because they are girls.

                      

And now we are going to talk about Treasure  Hunt.
Treasure Hunt is another methodology in which children learn while they have fun, it is a different way of learning how to search things on their own and how to learn things about a specific topic. It is very useful, because they learn while their motivation increases too. 
Teachers choose a specific topic and then make questions. Children need to develop the task with the resources that teachers give them. Finally, there is a final question, which can not be answered by a traditional class where a teacher explains concepts and ideas, this question needs more searching. 

 We have chosen one in the internet about recycling. To solve it you have to answer some questions using the sources provided by the teacher and finally there is a big question that they will need to solve using their knowledge about the topic.

Here we provide you the URL: http://www.aula21.net/cazas/cazasaula21/reciclaje.html