North Korea Information Search

This is a webquest that will take you on an investigative tour of North Korea today.

When you read the introduction below, click on the hyperlinked words which will take you to the definition/meaning of freedom, liberty and communist. You will see hyperlinked words throughout the webquest - if you are unsure of a word, click to find its meaning.

In today's society, many of us take for granted the freedom we have. As Australians, we have the liberty to pursue our dreams, and we have the power and freedom to express ourselves. However, what would life be like if Australia was a communist country just like North Korea today or the Soviet Union in the past?

"North Korea is a very isolated country.  There is little 'accurate' information about the country as it is so secretive.  To begin your task, answer the following questions.  The questions need to be answered so that you will have a better understanding of the task when you get to the "process" tab (on the left).

Your teacher will tell you where you need to record your answers.

Question 1: Where in the world is North Korea?  Click on the link 'where' to answer this question.  You may need to click on other links to gain a full understanding of 'where' North Korea is.   Your answer should say in which hemisphere and continent we will find North Korea. (Time Limit to answer: 5 minutes click on the blue 5 minutes to activate your timer)

So now you know where North Korea is! If your search was effective you will be able to answer the following questions:

Qu 2: Identify the capital of North Korea? (Time Limit: 2 mins)    

Qu 3: Is North Korea bigger than Australia?  (You will need to Google your answer and you may not spend more than 5 minutes completing this question.)

Did you find an answer? 

If not ... use this link to find it: North Korea vs Australia.  While you wait for others, click on the blue link and read some of the other comparisons there are.

Qu 4: Name 2 countries which border North Korea? (2 minutes)

So why are we interested in North Korea?

North Korea considers itself is a military power.  Google Question 5:

Qu 5: 'Does North Korea have nuclear capabilities?' If yes, what does that mean to us in Austraila. If no, what does that mean to Australia? (maximum time on this question 5 minutes)  

Qu 6: Who is the current leader of North Korea?  Once you have written down his name use the hyperlink below to read about him.When you are reading, think about the following question: What is so different about his biography compared to most biographies you read or even what you generally know about people?http://www.biography.com/people/kim-jong-un-21125351You will be asked to contribute your opinion to the class after reading the above biography. (You have a time limit of 15 minutes for this question - don't forget to click the timer).Qu 7: This is the last introductory question for this particular tab 'task'. Now that you have read a little bit about the background of North Korea you are going to be asked to give an opinion on what you have read and what you are going to see in the following pictures.  Consider this question when viewing the photos in this link.  
                  There are 89 photos in the link below, you are not required to view them all. You are looking for a 'general' or central idea that appears in each of the images.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/10521123/Kim-Jong-un-in-pictures-The-bizarre-photoshoots-of-North-Koreas-leader.html?frame=3489941Here is the question about the pictures: what is your opinion of Kim Jung-un?  Base your response on his appearance, age, who is present in the photos with him and why do you think this is so? Would you like him to be the prime minister of Australia?  Why?The important part of this question (no.7) is to double check that you have answered all aspects of the question.  Reread the question each time you think you have finished.  This question will be the end of the first part of this task. (This task should take you at least 15 minutes, do not rush).Should you have additional time you may look at these sites:                                

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-11388628 (this link has a video you may view).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3187681/Kim-Jong-orders-North-Korea-create-TIME-ZONE-mark-liberation-wicked-Japanese-imperialists.html (there are a couple of videos and photos on this site)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDAA_zvwyUI (video)

The main point of this webquest is to determine how people who live in North Korea are different to us in Australia? 

The information you have and will research is linked to life in North Korea.  We are very lucky to live in Australia but sometimes we forget this.  By viewing each of the websites below you will be given an insight into life in North Korea.

One of the first sites you visited stated that there is only a limited amount of information released by the government and much of what you read on the Net is heresay and innuendo. 

Question: How does life in Australia compare to life in North Korea?

Create a table to guide you in your answers to the question above:

Your table will need to compare Australia to North Korea.  Here are some subheadings to consider (please add some of your own). Examples:

lifestyle, income, living conditions, access to information, working week, holidays, mobile phone and internet use, media, democracy, defence force, average income, health system, jobs, health system, international acceptance.

Facts about North Korea

More facts about North Korea

And then a few more facts about North Korea

As with all internet sites there may be some mature content and your maturity is required if you come across information you may not normally access.  All websites at time of creating webquest are free of adult content.  This, however, may change over time. Please use your own integrity when viewing all websites.

This task should take at least one full lesson.

Complete the following questions:

1)  What have you learnt about North Korea?  (List 15 new pieces of information you now have. You are to list them as dot points.)

2) The information you have read and learned, show you what living in North Korea today would be like. 

Are there any other countries in the world that are forced to live the way the North Koreans are?  List and explain your answers.

   Do the flag quiz if you have time!

3) In history, have any other countries treated their citizens they way North Korea treats their citizens? (This is to be a written response using the PEEL process.  You should aim for 150-200 words)

I have 3 wishes for you and they are as follows:

I hope that you have discovered a little more about a country you may not have even heard of before.

I hope that you will be more grateful for the country you live in.

I hope that you are able to empathise and care about people less fortunate than yourself.

The images and information in this Webquest have been accessed using Google, Bing and Yippy search engines.

The text within the webquest is the intellectual property of N.Mullan

This WebQuest has been created for use by students from Year 7-9.  It is designed to increase general vocabulary and encourages students to access the meaning of new terms via the use of Dictionary.com.  This web site is very useful as it allows students to hear an audible pronunciation of words in addition to definitions, and synonyms.

The WebQuest would suit any student that is about to embark on the study of communism, dictatorships, or authoratarian studies including works such as 'Animal Farm,' '1984' and historical events (e.g.World War II) related to the mistreatment of citizens and prisoners.