The work of early Western explorers helped to shape the course of world development and influence the interaction between different cultures. The expeditions undertaken by Christopher Columbus, Bartholomew Diaz, Vasco da Gama, and Marco Polo continue to be important to our cultural heritage today.
In this exercise, you will individually examine Web-based material highlighting the life and achievements of each of these explorers. You will create a brief PowerPoint presentation to showcase your findings, then work in a cooperative learning group to reach consensus about the influence of the explorers' discoveries.
1) Examine the Web material presented for each of the following explorers:
Christopher Columbus
Vasco de Gama
Bartholomew Diaz
Marco Polo
2) Note the following pieces of information to include in your presentation:
Dates of important explorations for each explorer
Three or more important facts about each explorer
The influence of his explorations on the explorers who followed him
3) Create a desktop presentation that showcases the four explorers in chronological order and includes the following material for each:
Three or more key facts about their discoveries
Dates of their important explorations
A picture of each explorer or a map of his voyages
4) Write a brief explanation of the influence of each explorer on the people of his time and on the expeditions of the subsequent explorers:
What was the major purpose of his expedition?
How did his discoveries change the lives of his contemporaries?
How did his discoveries influence the voyages of explorers who followed him?
Christopher Columbus
Bartholomew Diaz
Vasco da Gama
Marco Polo
Why are these explorers important and in what manner are their discoveries connected? Form a group with two other students to compare your ideas, then reach a consensus on the major factors that connect these men's explorations. You will discuss this group decision orally in class.