Interactive Class Activities: Exploring Shogunate Japan through Technology by Ethan Keily

Virtual Shogunate Japan Museum using Prezi

keilyethanj — 2025-06-10 00:25:47 UTC

Students create a digital museum exhibition using Prezi. They research and curate artifacts, architecture, and daily life items from Shogunate Japan. Each student is responsible for one exhibition 'room' with at least 5 items, complete with descriptions and historical significance. Include interactive elements like quizzes or audio narration.

Duration: 1 lesson
Skills: Research, Digital presentation, Historical analysis

Samurai Social Media Profile

keilyethanj — 2025-06-10 00:25:47 UTC

Using a template in Google Slides, students create a historical social media profile for a famous samurai or shogun. Include:
- Profile picture
- Timeline of key events
- 'Posts' about daily life and important decisions
- 'Friends' network showing alliances
- 'Photos' of important locations and events

Duration: 1 lesson
Skills: Character analysis, Historical context, Creative writing

Interactive Japanese Castle Builder

keilyethanj — 2025-06-10 00:25:47 UTC

Using Minecraft Education Edition or similar building platforms, students design and construct a Japanese castle following historical architectural principles. They must include:
- Multiple defensive layers
- Traditional architectural features
- Gardens and living quarters
- Military facilities
Students present their castles to the class, explaining the historical significance of each feature.

Duration: 2-3 lessons
Skills: Spatial awareness, Historical architecture, Digital design

Digital Tokugawa Timeline

keilyethanj — 2025-06-10 00:25:47 UTC

Using Timeline JS or MyHistro, students create an interactive timeline of the Tokugawa shogunate. Include:
- Key political events
- Cultural developments
- Trade relationships
- Important battles
Add images, videos, and links to additional resources.

Duration: 1-2 lessons
Skills: Chronological thinking, Digital literacy, Historical research

Virtual Trade Route Explorer

keilyethanj — 2025-06-10 00:25:48 UTC

Using Google Earth or Google My Maps, students create an interactive map of trade routes during the Sakoku period. They must:
- Mark key trading ports
- Show restricted areas
- Include information about traded goods
- Explain the impact of isolation policy
Add photographs and historical information at each point of interest.

Duration: 1 lesson
Skills: Geographical awareness, Economic history, Digital mapping

Digital Feudal Hierarchy Infographic

keilyethanj — 2025-06-10 00:25:48 UTC

Using Canva or Piktochart, students create an interactive infographic showing the social hierarchy of Shogunate Japan. Include:
- Different social classes
- Rights and responsibilities of each class
- Relationships between classes
- Compare with modern social structures
Add pop-up information boxes and clickable elements.

Duration: 1 lesson
Skills: Social analysis, Visual communication, Digital design

Multimedia Diary Entry

keilyethanj — 2025-06-10 10:15:04 UTC

Using Adobe students create a diary entry from the perspective of person living in Shogunate Japan. Students can choose from any social class or any period during Shogunate Japan.

They must include:

Food eaten
religious beliefs (Shinto, Zen buddhism)
clothing
social issues (Women's rights, trade, political situation of the time)

Duration: 1 lesson

Skills: Character analysis, historical context, digital presentation, social analysis

Samurai Podcast using Canva

keilyethanj — 2025-06-10 10:45:31 UTC

Students will first script a five minute podcast episode where, as samurai, they will ask each other questions on Bushido and the Samurai life. These questions will include:

information on the Bushido Code
information on the duties of the Samurai
the beliefs associated with Samurai
evidence on the social standing of Samurai

Duration: 1 lesson

Skills: Character analysis, historical context, digital presentation, visual communication, script writing

Virtual debate for opening Japan to the West

keilyethanj — 2025-06-10 11:05:41 UTC

Students will answer the prompt provided by the teacher, as their chose historical figure. Students will choose from a wide range of social classes and positions in society as they use the knowledge of social hierarchy and cultural beliefs to shape their answer.

Students answers will include:

evidence that they understand the different beliefs of different social classes
understanding of cultural impact of Japan opening to the West
understanding of the economic impact of Japan trading to the West

Duration: 1 lesson

Skills: historical analysis, creative writing, social and historical context

Overview of this Padlet

keilyethanj — 2025-06-10 11:10:18 UTC

In red are the activities featured in my 5 week outline of Tokugawa Japan. The SAMR model and general capabilities links are included in the outline document on Canvas.

In white are other resources I found that I found interesting and worth noting