Activate! On-line


Teaching Methods

These activities are designed to be used in a classroom context and the briefing notes in each section make specific suggestions to help establish a variety of approaches to teaching and learning.

The success of the project will depend on a good variety of engaging activities such as:
debate and discussion in groups and whole classes
presentations
research projects
use of ICT
team work
media analysis
role play
reading personal stories
listening to refugee experiences
linking with refugee organisations
use of drama and dance
Teachers should also be alert to the opportunities such a topic presents for students' own active participation. When specific issues seem to engage students' attention, explore with them the appropriate action they could take. Examples which may arise include:
letter writing
awareness-raising campaigns
contacting the media
contributing to local/school media
joining organisations/campaigns
school-based programmes to support asylum seekers
building links with local asylum seekers and/or community organisations
peer-education projects
QCA guidance on teaching controversial issues makes it clear that many of the issues likely to be central to citizenship will not lead to easily agreed answers. Debate may not reach resolution and some students may well express sentiments that could be offensive. It is important to be aware of where the boundaries should be drawn in debate, to stick to them and thus use the opportunity to clarify your school's commitment to anti-racist education. A balance has to be struck between seeking a free exchange of students' ideas and encouraging them to understand their role in creating an environment where everyone is respected. The conflict which may arise is itself a fundamental citizenship issue: if conflict does arise, teachers should raise student's awareness of it through explicit reference to it, rather than attempt to 'steer' debate onto more neutral ground.