Getting to Know You…
“It’s a very ancient saying, But a true and honest thought
“Getting to know you”, Rodgers & hammerstein’s “The King and I”
That if you become a teacher, By your pupils you’ll be taught”
As we start gearing up to interact with schools around the globe, we are reminded that the very first step to providing world-class education is to learn about the students first! At the CEEO, we understand that creating successful and effective educational experiences for students requires developing an authentic understanding of their unique experiences and the environment in which the students live, play, and learn. This need becomes even more critical when creating playful learning experiences for students in foreign countries with cultures and conditions that are very different from our own. It is only through a thorough exploration of students’ lives that we can begin to be equipped with the tools necessary for providing meaningful learning experiences. We need to learn from them!
As we endeavor to learn about our students, we must be mindful of our current preconceptions of who we’re working with, and strive to replace those ideas with real information. I was recently introduced to the Gapminder Foundation, and the amazing resources they provide to help dispel common misconceptions about the world. In particular, they have a collection of images that demonstrate how children play — organized by world region and income level. It’s so fascinating to click through the results, filtering for specific criteria, and seeing authentic representations of real people and their lives. Check it out for yourself!
This resource is inspiring us to embark on a photoethnography project of our own. In the coming weeks, we’ll be developing methods for equipping students with cameras and a mission: help us get to know YOU! What will happen if we ask students to capture “day in the life” moments, objects, people, and places that are important to them? How can we use these images to learn from our students about their lives, their schools, and their unique experiences? We’ll find out soon, and keep you posted as our work progresses.
