Lesson 2 - Collaborative Learning Activity 2.1 - How and why does population structure vary within and between regions?

Procedures for Completing the Activity. You can complete this activity using the following steps. It is recommended that you meet with the members of your local group so you can all work on the activity at the same time.

Step 1 - Click here for an interactive presentation explaining how to make and interpret a population pyramid

Step 2 - After viewing the presentation, leaders should click here to download a packet entitled "Population Pyramids". Distribute copies of this packet to all local members, who should complete the population pyramids for China (1950, 2000, and 2050) following the instructions on the worksheets.

Step 3 - After completing the pyramids for China, go to the Group Discussion Board and find a forum with the title "Lesson 2 - China's Population Pyramids". Your team should use this forum to discuss the following questions about China's demography. Try to discuss the question long enough so that each member has a chance to share a view and respond to at least one other member of the team.

1. Examine all three population pyramids for China: 1950, 2000, and projected for 2050. Does China's population change between 1950 - 2000 support the Demographic Transition model? If your group has access to a scanner, post a digital copy of your pyramids in the discussion forum.

2. Do you think the rate of population growth in China is likely to increase or decrease between now and 2050? Why?

Step 4 - Next, local groups should complete the remaining population pyramid worksheets in the packet you downloaded in Step 2. After completing these worksheets, go to the Group Discussion Board and find the forum with the title "Lesson 2 - Economic Development and Population Structure". Your team should use this forum to discuss the following questions about the population pyramids. Try to discuss the question long enough so that each member has a chance to share a view and respond to at least one other member of the team.

Examine the Population Pyramids and Regional Development" worksheets for China and for the "B" and "U" countries.

1. What general similarities or differences do you observe in the population graphs for developed and less developed countries? What economic conditions are suggested by the structure of these graphs?

2. Based on what you have observed thus far in this module, do you think population change is an issue that warrants more international attention and cooperation, or do you think population is mostly an internal concern for individual nations and therefore irrelevant to the affairs of other nations? Explain.