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Overview:
Our perceptions of the world are formed not only by what we see, but also by our previous experiences. When someone observes an unfamiliar place in the world, they bring with them their understanding and interpretation of their own culture, which helps to shade their perception of what they are observing or the place they are visiting.
Photographers are regarded as recorders of places, cultures, and events, but how much of what they are recording is inspired, driven or affected by their own experiences? In this lesson, students will begin to explore how culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions.
Connections to the Curriculum:
Geography, social studies, art
Connections to the National Geography Standards:
Standard 6: "How culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions"
Time:
One to two classes
Materials Required:
- Computer with Internet access
Objectives:
Students will
- read about the life and work of Jimmy Chin;
- describe how Jimmy Chin brings his experiences into his work; and
- describe how their own experiences affect their understanding of the world.
Geographic Skills:
Acquiring Geographic Information
Answering Geographic Questions
Analyzing Geographic Information
S u g g e s t e d P r o c e d u r e
Opening:
Jimmy Chin has been named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. He is an accomplished climber, skier and photographer who has found a way to incorporate each of his passions into his life's work. His photographs of landscapes and people have been highlighted in magazines and advertisements throughout the world. In the next several activities, students will explore ways in which Jimmy Chin's photography reflects the world's landscapes, people and cultures, as well as his own experiences.
Development:
Divide students into groups of three. Tell students that they will be learning about how our experiences affect our perceptions of the world and of other cultures by learning more about a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, Jimmy Chin. Explain that Jimmy Chin is a professional climber, skier and photographer, and that he uses each of these talents to learn more about the world and share it through his photographs.
Have students watch the brief profile of Jimmy Chin. Then, have students read each of the following interviews and biographies describing his experiences:
National Geographic: Jimmy Chin
National Geographic News: The Accidental Career of Photographer Jimmy Chin
Biography from Jimmy Chin website
Tell students to pay particular attention to what Chin says about his life prior to becoming an adventurer and photographer, and have them list any ways in which they feel he brings that life experience to his work. After students have watched the profile, ask them how Jimmy Chin became interested in photography.
Have students visit the Jimmy Chin website. Tell them that they will be looking for examples of how Jimmy Chin's personal experiences are reflected in his photographs taken while visiting different cultures in the world. Have students find three photographs that show Jimmy Chin's personal interests.
As a whole group, have students consider other occupations which require world travel. [Responses may include occupations such as pilot, anthropologist, archaeologist, politician, actor, travel guide, military personnel, etc.]
Divide the students into groups of three to five. Have students choose three of the professions identified during the brainstorming process. Then have students fill out an interactive chart to determine:
- how people in those professions might interact with people in the cultures they visit;
- how personal experiences of people in those professions might influence how they view another culture; and
- how views of another culture might affect the work of people in those professions.
Have students record their ideas on the interactive chart. Tell students to print their chart when they are done.
Closing:
Have students describe their hobbies and interests. Begin a class discussion about how their own personal interests might influence the way they view other cultures.
Suggested Student Assessment:
Extending the Lesson:
Explain to students that people's perceptions of the world are not only influenced by personal experiences, they’re also influenced by cultural and religious backgrounds. Have students visit National Geographic: Xpedition Hall—Culture Goggles to explore an ancient city through the cultural perceptions of Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Related Links:
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