This inquiry leads students through an investigation of modernization and development in three African countries: Kenya, Botswana, and Algeria. By investigating the compelling question “Does development mean progress?” students focus on the characteristics of development in these countries and respond to the challenges that each country faces in light of modernization. The inquiry is designed to be a series of research case studies in which students work in groups to research one of the three countries and write a one-page research summary on their assigned country. Teachers could assign and form groups in any number of ways, including having multiple groups of students researching the same country. Students then present their research to the class in the last formative performance task. Students will respond to the compelling question based on the perspective of their respective country or could choose to compare all three countries. In the extension activity, students work collaboratively to discuss commonalities and differences in development across these countries in Africa.
Login to add Inquiry to Stack
About the inquiry
Compelling Question
Does Development Mean Progress?
Staging Question
Read the UN description of the Human Development Index (HDI) and examine the United States HDI rank. Discuss what students think “development” and “progress” mean. Students could also read an NPR blog post and discuss the costs and benefits of labeling countries as “developing.”
What are the impacts of development in Kenya?
Formative TasksWrite a one-page research summary that includes discussion of HDI rank, life expectancy, years of schooling, gross national income, changes over time, and the challenges to development in Kenya.
SourcesSource A: Excerpted explanatory note on the 2014 Human Development Report composite indices, Kenya
Source B: Excerpt from “Africa’s Powerhouse”
Source C: Additional sources decided by students and/or teachers
What are the impacts of development in Botswana?
Formative TasksWrite a one-page research summary that includes discussion of HDI rank, life expectancy, years of schooling, gross national income, changes over time, and the challenges to development in Botswana.
SourcesSource A: Excerpted explanatory note on the 2014 Human Development Report composite indices, Botswana
Source B: Excerpt from “Botswana’s Success: Good Governance, Good Policies, and Good Luck”
Source C: Additional sources decided by students and/or teachers
What are the impacts of development in Algeria?
Formative TasksWrite a one-page research summary that includes discussion of HDI rank, life expectancy, years of schooling, gross national income, changes over time, and the challenges to development in Algeria.
SourcesSource A: Excerpted explanatory note on the 2014 Human Development Report composite indices, Algeria
Source B: “Algeria’s Large Youth Population Has Few Opportunities”*
Source C: Additional sources decided by students and/or teachers
Does development impact different African countries in different ways?
Formative TasksPresents the research summary from Formative Performance Tasks 1, 2, and 3 to the class. After presentations, develop a claim supported by evidence that answers the supporting question.
SourcesSource A: Featured sources from Supporting Questions 1, 2, and 3
Source B: Additional sources decided by students and/or teachers
Summative Performance Task
Argument: Does development mean progress? Using your assigned African country or all three countries, construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline, poster, essay) that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from contemporary sources while acknowledging competing views.
Extension:
Taking Informed Action
No data found.