Tasks

Students complete Task 1 and/or Task 2. In Task 1, students design a mode of transport for the future. In Task 2, students conduct an oral history interview with an older person to find out about the transport they used when they were young.

Task 1

Students design a mode of transport for the future.

Discuss the differences that students have discovered between modes of transport in the past and in the present and the influence of technology.

Choose one mode of transport and ask students how this might change in the future. You could discuss its:

  • power source
  • materials
  • shape
  • where it could go
  • what it can do
  • who might use it.

Brainstorm ideas for getting around in the future. Students will have many ideas but here are a few to get started:

  • a scooter that can fly
  • a bike with a sail that is wind powered
  • a car made from inflatable plastic that can be deflated for parking in a small space.

Students make a drawing or a model from found objects to show what their futuristic transport would look like. As students work ask further questions to refine their ideas.

Students label their creations and write about what their mode of transport can do.

Make an exhibition of ways to get around in the future. Display the designs or models along with the written text.

Ask students to talk about their futuristic transport and answer questions from other class members.

Task 2

Students conduct an oral history interview with a grandparent or older member of the family or community to find out what transport they used when they were young. The 'Looking back' video clips provide a model for students to use when they conduct their own interview.

Introduce the concept of open-ended questions.

Working in pairs, students use the think-pair-share strategy to devise two open-ended questions that they could ask an older member of the community to find out about the transport used a long time ago. Provide each pair with two question words such as how, when, where why or what, to guide their questions.

Bring the class together and compile the questions in this PowerPoint slide show (.pptx 52kB). Analyse each question and discuss if it is an open-ended question or a closed question and whether it would provide the information required. Students can use the compiled questions as a guide when they prepare their own interview.

Show students the guide for conducting an oral history interview (.docx 93kB). Read the steps with students focusing on the action verb in bold type.

You might:

  • brainstorm ways to conduct an interview other than in person such as via Skype
  • suggest ways of recording and sharing the interview such as using a video camera, an mp3 recorder, Audacity or VoiceThread
  • talk about and role play ways to show your interest, verbally and non-verbally
  • suggest students ask for more information when needed. They might ask 'Can you tell me more about that?'

Students record their own interview questions on the Student interview (.docx 287kB) sheet. You could use these questions(.docx 21.7kB) to assist your students.

Assist students to conduct and present their oral history interview.