So my google cardboard just came and it’s amazing! It is literally like you are in another space and once they start adapting it so that you can walk around in the space, it’s going to be even more fun. I really can’t wait to use it with the kids at work. I’ll keep you all updated.
*Please note that posts will not be as frequent.
WordPress
Keeping a blog was a new idea to me originally, but I soon realised that it was a little bit similar to using Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook. In the end I quite enjoyed using WordPress and I think I will continue to use it in the future.
Web 2.0 Technology
I had breifly heard of this term but didn’t really understand it or know how it related to education. I now have a much better understanding of it.
Syrian Refugees
Before this unit I had of course heard about the Syrian war and refugees in the news, but through doing research and the readings, I have looked in much more depth into the background information on the Syrian war and thought much more about refugees and how to first of all teach students about diversity and what is going on in the world, but also, how to teach refugee children in an Australian classroom setting.
Liminal Spaces
I had never heard of the term liminal before and now that I’ve heard it, and understand what it means, I find myself using the term in conversation.
The Learning space
I had also not given much thought to different types of learning spaces. When first hearing the term I thought it just mean the physical space and the emotional space. I have definitely learnt a lot about different learning spaces.
This unit has made me much more aware of so many different aspects of technology, online environment and learning spaces, as well as giving me new strategies for teaching, teaching me new words or terms and new ideas to display ideas or information through curation.
“A curator ingests, analyses and contextualizes web content and information of a particular nature onto a platform or into a format we can understand.” (Buck, 2013).
It’s funny how while, this is what I have been doing through out this whole unit, I have never thought of myself as a curator. Social Curators are anyone who uses social media sites or apps such as Instagram, Tumblr, Facebook, or WordPress. “Curation requires patience, resourcefulness and a keen editing eye,” (Buck,2013) which is something that I have definietly found.
The lives of the Syrian refugees have changed dramatically since the way in Syria began in March, 2011.
“More than 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives in four-and-a-half years of armed conflict, which began with anti-government protests before escalating into a full-scale civil war. More than 11 million others have been forced from their homes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other – as well as jihadist militants from Islamic State.” (BBC News, October 9th, 2015).
These kind of experiences affect a persons personality, but as educators we can help to create a new space where those experiences are just memories and the children who experienced such heartache never have to feel as they did again. They might use their misfortunes to help prevent anything like that happening again. Perhaps they will want to become a politician, and humanitarian lawyer, work for the UN or the Red Cross, or find another cause that they feel passionate about.
I want to see refugees turn their lives around and live successful, happy and safe lives with their families.
(Image from: Save the Children).
One day, perhaps they will be able to return to their country and rebuild what was once a normal city.
(Image from: Ways & Steps).
A poem about a refugees journey to safety
Bang! Quick run, no matter your state of mind,
Grab the hands of loved ones to not fall behind.
The colour is gone, leaving dark in its wake,
On to the boat, we rock and we shake.
Cold seeps through, my how long is this taking,
Splash! Rock, sway, splash, we sit there shaking.
Land hoy! We see a rescue boat, not far away,
I’m glad we can see the light of a brand new day.
New faces that speak, but I don’t understand,
They smile but there’s still liminal space around.
Calm, peace, supportive surrounds,
New friends, colour returns, smiles all around.
(Poem by Alexandra Baker, 2015).
Listen to it here: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0BWGzQh9usy
The role of educators today, when hosting refugee children, involves being sensitive and aware of the children’s emotional and educational needs.
This may be enacted by gaining extra training and doing research to better understand students. There are many resources available for teachers on the Refugee Council of Australia website, which you can click here to take a look at.
“Refugee young people in particular can be highly motivated and ambitious in their educational and career goals.” (Refugee Council of Australia, n.d)
An education will need to provide these refugees with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their new environment. This means academic skills, such as literacy and numeracy, life skills and psychosocio skills. (Shanahan, 2015). This can be achieved in different ways, such as through technology, teaching strategies and creative expression.
Refugees entering the Australian education system will undoubtedly encounter difficulties. Some those which would need to be addressed include:
- A profound difficulty in transitioning between life in a protracted refugee situation – that may have given rise to torture, trauma and chronic health problems – and an Australian school environment;
- The challenges related to placing refugee children in classes to match their chronological age as opposed to their actual level of educational attainment;
- Difficulty in adjusting to formal education when there is no experience of such an education environment in a child’s home country;
- Pressure to enter employment and earn money to support themselves (if an unaccompanied minor) or to assist their family rather than finish school;
- Under-resourced local public schools that are unable to effectively accommodate the needs of refugee children;
- Difficult home environments where family members are also experiencing difficulties coping with resettlement in Australia and are thus not in a position to provide effective support for a child in school;
- Pressure to assist older family members with settlement needs because of a comparatively superior (albeit still minimal) grasp of English; and
- Discrimination and racism both within and beyond the school environment that can work to discourage refugee children from persisting with education.
(Refugee Council of Australia, n.d)
” “Capital” can mean many things. Its specific definition depends on the context in which it is used. In general, it refers to financial resources available for use. Companies and societies with more capital are better off than those with less capital.”
Read more at Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/capital.asp#ixzz3pXd7ter1
Educational capital is referring to the resources available to the inhabiting refugees to help them re-situate themselves into society, which can be gained by experiences and education. These resources can range from things like qualifications, abilities, a sense of belonging, a place in society, etc, and will give the refugees a better quality of life.
The capital of these refugees will inform my FLS as the refugees can use their experiences in their lives, to overcome the liminal space and to enrich other people’s lives, giving them an insight into what makes refugees such strong people.
As more and more civilians are displaced from their homes in war torn Syria, many families will enter the liminal space by seeking refuge in safer countries. Some will travel for years before they are settled again and when those refugee children arrive in my classroom, I want to be prepared. I want them to feel safe and supported as they attempt to get an education after suffering such traumatic events. I want to lessen the anxiety that they will feel being in a new and unfamiliar environment and I want them to succeed.
Adventures in education 3.0 and web 2.0, starting from 0.0
Be Inspired, Make a Difference...
A Learning Site for Educators
Teaching thoughts and Inspirations.
EVOLVING
Ways to make teaching engaging & inspiring for ALL learners!
Planning, developing and the utilisation of the learning space.
Join me as I discover the world of Learning Spaces
Take a step into the life of a EDFD459 student
Chantel Borke
thoughts on connecting, engaging and learning
The Learning Hub 2015 