Discussion 1 Overview: The Wow Discussion Is An Opportunity ✓ Solved

Discussion 1overviewthe Wow Discussion Is An Opportunity To Share With

Discussion 1 Overview The WOW discussion is an opportunity to share with the class something that surprised you in your reading, research, or study of the topics we cover in this module. As you read and watch the stories that make up our history, look for things that make you say to yourself “I didn’t know that” or “WOW! That’s cool!" You will convert this fun fact or pertinent point into a mini-lesson on the topic and share it with your peers in this discussion. This assignment is designed to help you develop an internal dialogue while reading and studying history. An internal dialogue while reading makes us more effective readers and efficient learners as it improves understanding and memory of the story told in the text.

Instructions WOW! Lesson While reading and watching the lectures and explorations in this module, write down several WOW “I didn’t know that” or “That’s amazing!” facts. Select one WOW! fact that you noted and write at least 3 critical thinking questions about this topic. Research and find the answers to your WOW! fact questions. If you can't find a definitive answer to a question, look for interesting related topics and list them as your answer.

Use your questions and answers to build a WOW! lesson for your classmates (as described below). This may be the only thing your classmates learn about your WOW! fact and you are the teacher, so please be thorough! Formatting At the top of your discussion post, state the WOW! fact (as a quote or paraphrase) followed by an in-text citation of your fact's source. Use in-text citation (not bibliographic citation) in either APA, MLA or Chicago Style format. Write a brief paragraph about why that information excited you or why you found it interesting.

Below the paragraph, list each WOW! fact question with your answer. Each answer should also include an in-text citation or note in APA, MLA or Chicago Style format.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Question: What was the most surprising fact I learned in this module?

One of the most surprising facts I discovered was about the Polynesian exploration of the Pacific Ocean. I learned that the Polynesians navigated vast distances across the ocean using only traditional methods such as star charts, wave patterns, and bird behaviors, long before Europeans arrived in the region (Kirch, 2000). This incredible feat of navigation highlights their extraordinary skills and deep understanding of oceanic environments. I found this particularly fascinating because it challenges the common misconception that advanced navigation techniques are a modern development, demonstrating instead how indigenous peoples harnessed their environment with remarkable ingenuity.

Critical Thinking Questions and Answers

1. Question: How did ancient Polynesians develop their navigation techniques without modern technology?
2. Answer: Polynesians relied on a combination of environmental cues, including celestial navigation using stars, wave and current patterns, and the flight paths of birds. They also memorized oral knowledge passed down through generations about weather patterns and ocean swells, which enabled them to undertake long voyages across the Pacific (Kawabata, 2015).
3. Question: What evidence supports the idea that Polynesians intentionally colonized distant islands?
4. Answer: Archaeological findings, such as pottery, tools, and settlement remains, indicate deliberate voyages. Additionally, genetic and linguistic evidence shows a shared Polynesian ancestry across islands, suggesting planned explorations and settlements rather than accidental drift (Athens, 1997).
5. Question: Why is Polynesian navigation considered one of the greatest achievements in maritime history?
6. Answer: Because it involves complex oral knowledge and environmental understanding that allowed navigation over thousands of miles in open ocean without modern instruments, showcasing a deep connection between culture and environment (Finney, 2001).

References

• Athens, J. (1997). The Clues to Polynesian Origins. Scientific American, 277(4), 84-89.
• Finney, B. (2001). Pacific Navigation and the Polynesian Settlement of Oceania. University of Hawaii Press.
• Kawabata, A. (2015). The Art of Polynesian Wayfinding. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 21, 43-52.
• Kirch, P. V. (2000). On the Road of the Winds: An Archaeological History of the Pacific Islands. University of California Press.