A new media competition for primary schools will bring development issues into the classrooom, writes Louise Holden
Teaching development issues to primary children takes a lot of skill. Poverty, infant mortality, AIDS, environmental depletion - these are complex subjects for under-12s to take on board. Development Co-operation Ireland (DCI), the Government's official development co-operation programme, has created a new resource for teaching children about global issues. This week, DCI launched a media competition whereby school- children can demonstrate their understanding of development through print, video, vox pop and art.
The "Our World" pack includes lesson plans, media production guides and links and resources for teachers. Also included in the packs are learning activities for students from third to sixthth class (years five to seven in Northern Ireland). Rather than distress young children with stark messages or confuse them with complex geo-politics, primary students are encouraged to think about the impact of local activity on the global scene. Through class activities, discussions and games, students will come to a better understanding of the connectedness of cultures and the needs and rights of all peoples.
The programme is built around the eight Millennium Development Goals agreed in September 2000 by Ireland and 188 other nations at the UN. They include the eradication of extreme poverty, universal access to primary education and the development of global partnerships for growth.
Through the DCI One World Media Competition teachers can introduce comprehensive development education module to the primary classroom and engage children in the production of a media product to consolidate their learning.
Some of the activities included in the pack encourage students to examine their own lives in a global context. For example, a teacher may take a group of children to a local greengrocers to investigate the countries of origin of the foods we eat. In another module, children are encouraged to discern between things we need (water, friends, security) and things we want (expensive runners, a bag of crisps). There is considerable scope for subject crossover - for example, SESE teachers can take the subject of development (of people or nations) and equate it with the development of plants.
The pack also includes guides for teachers and students on the development of various media products such as vox pops, short films, class newspapers or art work on the theme of global development.
The DCI One World Pack includes a fact sheet about each of the Millennium Development Goals summarised into five themes, suggestions for classroom activities on each goal, linked to strands across the primary curriculum, notes on media products and a list of resource materials and web sites for those interested in further research. All schools that register for the competition will receive DCI's 'Guide to Development Education Resources 2004-2005'. Pupils in registered schools receive fact sheets on the Millennium Development Goal themes, corresponding worksheets, and an introduction to media.
Schools should register interest in the DCI One World Competition by completing and returning the registration form by February 11th. For information and registration forms, contact Real Event Solutions, 54 Ballyhooly Road, St Luke's Cross. Tel: (021) 455 0434, Fax: (021) 455 4386 or e-mail info@dciourworldawards.com. Visit www.dciourworldawards.com
