India:  Kingdom of the Tiger

A Web Quest by:

Andrew S. Basler

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Introduction  |  Task  |  Process  |  Evaluation  |  Conclusion  |  Teachers  |  Credits

Introduction:

India is one of the oldest inhabited regions of the world. It served as a crossroads between the Asia and the european markets. Consequently, the people of India are as varied as its history. Many different flags have flown over India, yet it remains, to a great extent, unchanged. India today is a diverse country that is balanced between preserving the old traditions, and advancing as an industrial democracy. This balancing act is symbolized by the plight of the tiger. As technology and population grew, the tiger was forced out. Yet, because of conservation work, it remains in many natural reserves in india. In this web quest, you will explore both Modern india, and the conservation efforts to save the tigers.

Task:

In this web quest, you will use the internet to research modern India, and the conservation efforts that saved the Tiger. You will be asked a series of questions, and use the research to answer them. After completing the research and questions, you will participate in a group discussion and apply what you learned to other places and situations. Before beginning the process, skip down to the Evaluation Rubric to learn what your grade will be based on.

Process:

1. Before beginning the web quest, you will watch the Imax dvd India: Kingdom of the Tiger. The movie will give you the background knowledge you need to begin your research.

2. After you have watched the movie, you will be divided into groups of no more than four. Each group is resposible for their own research and answers to the questions.

3. First, click on the following link to read about the the complete of India, and answer the following questions: India History.  You may also complete your own internet searches using keywords and the Google Search Engine.

• Search for the ancient Indus valley.  What age did the Indus Valley Civilization belong to?

• What was the predominant alphabet of Ancient India, in which most of the ancient writings are written?

• What religion did Akbar introduce between 1556 and 1605?  What was the religion based on?

• How did the British slowly gain power in India?

• Read the entire 5 pages on Gandhi.  Who was Gandhi?  What did he do?  Describe his experiences in South Africa.

• Who were the untouchables?  What did Gandhi do to help their plight?

• How did Gandhi try to change society?  What were his principle methods?  Were they peaceful?

• How did Gandhi die?  What legacy did he leave?

• What are the key points of India's Constitution.  What is it based on?

• What are modern problems India is facing?

4.  Now that you know some history of India, use the CIA World Fact Book to learn all about present day India.

• What does the fact book list as India's current environmental issues?

• What percentage of the population is between 0 and 14 years of age?  What kinds of problems do you believe this can cause?

• What is the predominant religion?

• What type of government does India have?

• Briefly describe India's economy

5.  Finally, learn about India's tiger, and the struggle for survival at the World Wildlife Federation.

•    What percentage of the tiger's natural habitat has been destroyed?

•    How many tigers live in India today?

•    What are the primary threats to tigers' survival?

•    What are the main ideas behind the WWF's Tiger Conservation Strategy?

6.  Participate in a group discussion about India.  What did you learn?  What do you still want to know?  How can India save her tigers?  Is there a conflict between traditionalism and new ways in India? etc.

Evaluation Rubric:

Your grade will be based upon the following evaluation rubric:

Note that 80 percent of your grade is based on correctly answering the questions for each section.  Remember that all the answers can be found on the provided web sites.  If you have any questions concerning your grade, ask your teacher.

Conclusion:

India is a very diverse country.  The plight of the tiger is very symbolic of the struggle between India's traditional past of agriculture and religion, and their emerging new society dominated by software designers and service industries.  The tiger is endangered because it has lost land to a growing human population, and from being hunted.  Preservation starts with land programs designed to protect the tiger.

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Teachers:

Grade Band:  9 - 12 Social Studies

Tennessee State Curriculum Standards:  World Geography

1.1 understand the complex nature of culture and how cultures influence the characteristics of places and regions.

1.2 understand the relationship between physical environments and culture

          2.3 understand the changes that occur in the nature, use, distribution, and importance of resources

          3.2 know the location of places, geographic features, and patterns of the environment, both physical and human, locally, regionally, and globally

          3.7 understand how physical systems and environments affect human systems

          5.1 understand the patterns of human settlement

Sociology:

        1.2 understand the development of culture

         3.1 understand that people adapt to their physical environment

Preceding and Ensuing Events of Instruction:

Before beginning the WebQuest, the teacher should show the IMAX dvd India:  Kingdom of the Tiger.  The dvd gives students background information on Indian history, culture, and the Bengal tiger.  After the movie is completed, the teacher is responsible for dividing students into groups, and overseeing the internet research.  Each group must have internet access.  In addition, students might need help navigating the websites, or using the Google Search Engine, so be prepared to help with searches and navigation.  If necessary, the teacher might want to substitute a class discussion for more formal group presentations on what they learned.

Learning Improvements and Purpose of Web Quest

   The purpose of this web quest is to introduce students to the the history, culture, and traditions of India and enhance understanding of cultural studies within world geography, to promote the use of the internet as a viable research tool, to promote group work skills through group interactions, to promote class presentation skills through oral recall and presentation, to enhance student's critical thinking skills through research questions and oral presentation and required decision making.  To promote computer and internet literacy.  The students will learn about the importance of studying other cultures.  In addition, the case study of the India's Bengal tigers will teach the students about environmental issues and the importance of preserving unspoiled land in order to protect certain species from extinction. The students will also learn how to use the internet for research.

Credits:

CIA World Fact Book (2003).  India.  Retrieved March 26, 2004, from www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html

Google (2004).  Search Engine.  Retrieved March 26, 2004, from www.google.com

India History (2002).  India History Main.  Retrieved March 26, 2004, from www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/History/mainhist.html

Slingshot.  (2002).  India:  Kingdom of the Tiger [dvd].  Toronto, Canada:  Imax.

World Wildlife Federation (2003).   Tigers.  Retrieved March 26, 2004, from  www.worldwildlife.org/tigers/

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