Ecological Semantics: Vocabulary & Perspective-Building Activities
Ecological Semantics: Vocabulary & Perspective-Building Activities
This course was created by ChatGPT (2/5/2025)
Concepts ≠ abstract definitions
Concepts = systems of affordances
Perspectives = embedded stances within ecosystems
Goal = explore how meaning emerges from action possibilities in context
List all actions "money" affords (e.g., buy, donate, measure value). Compare across places: a bank, a temple, a game.
Map music's affordances in different settings (classroom, shrine, protest, hospital). How does meaning shift?
Interview someone from a different region or background. What does "culture" afford in their daily life?
Write scenes showing education in two contexts (Japanese university vs. rural school abroad). Compare affordances.
Take an object (e.g., phone) and use it in 5 unusual ways. What new affordances appear?
Observe food affordances in different places (home, konbini, vending machine). Record purposes: nourish, comfort, show status.
Roleplay different personas (farmer, YouTuber, monk). What does "work" afford to each?
Debate: "Freedom affords isolation" vs. "Freedom affords creativity." Use real-world examples.
Scroll social media. List affordances (share, compare, distract). Discuss how design shapes behavior.
Make collages of tech use in a rural town vs. a hospital. Compare how affordances differ by context.
Express emotions (joy, fear) using gestures in different contexts. How does setting affect expression?
List all micro-actions that travel affords (buy ticket, wait, move). How does this change for a refugee?
Discuss how the same object (e.g., pen) gains different meanings when bought, given, or used in a ritual.
Write diary entries for someone in 1880, 1980, and 2080 Japan. What does "family" afford in each era?
Explore water through real experiences: bath, tea, tsunami video. Identify unique affordances in each.
Design a space that increases the affordance of community for teens, elderly, and newcomers.
Choose 5 abstract nouns. For each:
Define ecosystem
List affordances
Use in a context-rich sentence
Pick a concept (e.g., honor). Translate it into Japanese. How does its use or meaning change?
Walk on campus. List what objects afford (bench = rest). Repeat imagining different roles (injured person, tourist).
Write a short poem where a concept (e.g., peace, belonging) is described only through physical actions or objects.
These activities help students:
Deepen concept understanding
Expand vocabulary through ecosystems
Practice ecological perspective-taking
Notice how meaning emerges from action and place