Group 2

Using the CMap outline, groups will work towards the ultimate goal of building an ePortfolio of their experience in Chiapas, Mexico and the subject knowledge they learn in this course.

Students will create multiple sub-sections in this area of LiveText.  Each section will answer the questions posed in the PBL.  (see attachments below for copies of the PBLs).  Students may also use the blank sections below to alter and modify.

Mexico.doc

Mexico2.doc

 See Assignment Sheet

- Students should work on a method of presenting their final report.  Students may choose to put together a powerpoint and standard report, or students can get creative with their final presentation.

Everyone in our group came from a different academic background, so the first challenge was agreeing on a method for presenting the material.  There were several ideas that were discussed in the first few weeks of the course.  Building 3D models, incorporating skits, overlaying interviews with Mayan cites in the background, generating comic book pages portraying Mayan creation stories and daily life were a few of the possibilities.  The common interest was in using a form of digital media to demonstrate the research that was completed on the Maya civilization.  We all agreed that a collection of images and video clips should be used for the final presentation, however, it was discussed that powerpoint was not an ideal medium for conveying this information. 

Another approach was to embed image slideshows, 3D models, and video clips into Google Earth.  This approach not only allowed for discussing important aspects of the Mayan Math and Architecture, but also illustrated the geographic locations that we would be visiting as a class upon the completion of the course.  The tools used to incorporate all parts of our presentation involved several technologies.  Google Earth was the medium used to link together all of the information.  Google Sketchup was used to generate accurate 3D models of some of the most important Mayan buildings in Palenque and Chitzen Itza.  Picasa was used to make our image slideshows accessible on the web.  Comic Life was used to create the Maya Creation Story comic, iMovie was used to cut video clips, and YouTube was used to post these video clips online.   Google Earth is a web-based tool, so it was important that everything was available online so that it could be linked to during the presentation.  The Google Sketchup models can be embedded in the correct locations in Google Earth as well.  It is also important to note that all of the technology used in our presentation is free to download! 

The following are some of the video clips that were used for our presentation.  Mel Gibson's Apocalypto was useful in portraying the sacrificial ceremonies and aspects of the daily life of the Maya.  Clips from the History Channels Engineering an Empire: The Maya - Death Empire were also used to illustrate the engineering feats that the Maya were able to accomplish.

Mayan Sacrifice from Apocalypto:

Maya Labor from Apocalypto:

Temple of the Cross Geometry:

El Castillo and the Maya Calendar:

Water Management at Palenque:

Mayan Astronomy and El Caracol:

Maya Roads:

Maya Columns:

The final presentation can be viewed in Google Earth by opening the attached file.  The newest version of Google Earth can be downloaded here if necessary.

Once the file is opened, there is a directory structure available on the left of the Google Earth window.  The three folders contain different types of information.  The first folder is an atlas of ancient Mayan sites.  This file was created by Clifford T. Brown of Florida Atlantic University and Walter R. T. Witschey of Longwood University. The second folder contains information related to the site at Palenque, and the third folder contains information about some of the structures in Chichen Itza.  These two folders are a compilation of the research and work that was completed throughout the quarter.

Final_Maya_Presentation.kmz