Jordan Carmer Portfolio Assignment

Digital mapping project

Below is a project over showing stops along the Silk Road, as well as provides information about a New Silk Road project under way from China. In creating this project, I've attempted to show how the present and past are not mutually exclusive, but may influence each other in a number of ways. Just as new information and ways of thinking in the present change how we might view our past, things from our past might influence the future. Further, by providing a hyperlink to a news story over the subject, teachers can allow students a chance to further their own research of a subject and hopefully enhance their understanding. 









The Silk Road was a vast trade network stemming from China to Europe. For centuries, this road was the life blood of world trade. Valuables moved from Europe to the Middle East to China, traveling countless miles by both land and sea before finally arriving at their destination. There was a profit to be made by anyone willing to accept the financial risks or take the journey. More than goods and money moved along the Silk Road, with ideas and tales from distant lands making their way, creating a quasi-globally connected world before the invention of modern transport and communication. But as newer and more effective ways of traversing the seas were discovered, these ancient trade routes became less essential, and the Silk Road faded out of use.

Yet it seems China is trying to revive the old Silk Road.

The Silk Road has always been culturally relevant, but might be economically relevant once more with China's new Belt and Road Initiative. Announced in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the plan calls for more connection between the growing number of member states. Thus far, members have stretched from East Asia all the way to Western Europe.  Many of the stops along the way are those which proved valuable to the old Silk Road centuries ago. By drawing this comparison, the hope is that students can understand that studying our world isn't just about the past, but seeing how the wide world continues to move and how changes might impact their lives.  

Once this project has be shown to students and the paths to the present have been drawn, a number of projects for students to perform can be designed. Perhaps have them research individual member states on their own time. From there, they can learn more about those nations and discuss the pros and cons of their joining with this project. One could also have students learn about the terrain old Silk Road merchants had to traverse and how it might have impact their journey. They might also then talk about how the modern age could circumvent some of these issues, as well as how geography might still impact how human beings move through the world.