Unit 20 New Frontiers

Lesson 1 Futurology

一、教学课型：阅读课

这是本单元第一篇阅读文章，它给学生提供了一个近距离感受科学技术迅猛发展的机会，让学生了解到什么是未来学和未来学家，从而鼓励学生积极、勇敢地面对人类社会所面临的经济、政治、文化等多方面的挑战。

二、教材分析

1、教学内容

(1) Before reading

21st century Mobile Phones

Generations Features 1G Receive\make calls within the mobile phone network 2G Send SMS cheaply 3G Send photographs and video images\Access the Internet 　　What of the future? It has been predicted that mobile phones might soon replace our wallets. For example, instead of handing over cash to pay for groceries, our mobile phones would be scanned and the cost added to our next phone bill. The idea that in the future we won't need to carry money seems crazy, but 80 years ago, the idea that you could walk out of your house with your phone in your hand probably seemed crazier! Mobile phones have become a major part of our lives and one wonders what the next technological advance will be.

(2) Reading

Hannah Jones looks into the future of futurology.

I love talking about the future --- and I am not the only one. Over the centuries, people have always wondered about the future. Some like to read fantasy stories and imagine what the world will be like in 10, 50 or even 1'000 years' time. Others foresee future opportunities and problems. They plan the future of the world for a living. These people are called futurologists.

This weekend, hundreds of futurologists are meeting at Newcastle University. The seminar starts on Friday and the experts will be discussing the influence of technology on the future. The future is now big business. I clicked into the websites of some futurologists and here's what they're