Objective 1: Explain how a reduction in the friction
of distance results in time–space convergence.
Is our world shrinking? Physically it isn't but in our own perception the world is becoming increasingly smaller over time. In functional terms, the time it takes for us to travel around the world or contact people in different parts of the world is becoming faster. We are no used to instant communication and easy travel to just about anywhere in the world within a day. If the distances between places appear to be shrinking - how does this affect friction of distance? and how does this affect our relationships with goods, services, cultures and other influences.
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Objective 2: Examine the relative changes in the speed and
capacity of two types of transport responsible for the
flow of goods, materials and people.
Transportation in the last 200 years has played a huge part in making our world seem smaller. Trains and cars have played a huge part in increasing human mobility and changing our perception of time and space, but air and sea travel have changed our world dramatically. Both have been key in shaping the movement of good and people around the globe, making it possible for people to visit anywhere and also for goods to be available in any part of the globe. In this section we will investigate how these transport types have changed over time and the ways in which they have "shrunk" our world.
Objective 3: Examine the changes in air transportation
in terms of the extension of links and nodes and the
intensity of use at a national or global scale.
The development of air transportation in particular has changed the nature of human movement across the world in a very short timescale. 100 years ago, planes were in their infancy. They were small, slow and, compared to today's aircraft, very unsafe. But 50 years later we were capable of flying 1000's of km per hour or in passenger liners that carried hundreds of people. The development of air transport (often through war and conflict) led to great progress in plane manufacture and a large reduction in the cost of flying. This means that over the last 70 years, more an more people are taking more and more flights to every corner of the earth. IN this unit we will look at the key developments that made this possible and also look at how air travel will develop in the future.
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Objective 4: Describe the role of information and communications
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The Role of ICT. ICT has had a huge impact on many areas of life. It affects the way we engage with governments and form and express our political views. It has changed the nature of human social interactions, the way we operate our finances and even the way that people respond to natural disasters and crises. In addition there have been impacts to human health as a result of making things easier for us. You will explore all of these aspects to understand the main trends for each.
Objective 5: Examine the contrasting rates, levels and patterns of
adoption of an element of ICT in two countries.
CASE STUDY: ICT use in the UK and China. In this section we will look at the differences between China and the UK in internet use. Looking at how these countries have developed their adoption of ICT and what may happen in the future.