With a degree in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, it is undoubtedly rewarding to have a job where I can share my passion for the subjects I enjoy. There has been a lot of nervous tension around the future of religious education, and I hope I can contribute to sustaining the position of this important subject within school life. Religious education is a huge part of a young person’s social, moral and cultural development, encouraging the understanding and respect for diversity and different beliefs. How are we to understand ourselves if we cannot grasp belief systems which are so deeply rooted within the history of humanity? One of my main aims for each visit this year is to inspire and encourage students of all faiths and none to take an interest in understanding different religions and cultures, in the hope that this essential part of education is not neglected. I am visiting Bishop Justus Church of England School tomorrow to do a presentation at a ‘Continuing Professional Development’ Day for a range of teachers from different local schools. It will be the first presentation I’ll give to teachers-only audience, and I am looking forward to hearing what teachers think of TrueTube, and their personal opinions on where they see the subject heading in the future. Hopefully it will be a successful day, and be one of many more inspiring visits I have lined up for the coming year. If you would like me to visit your school or university, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]
I’ve been part of the TrueTube team for almost two months now, and have mostly used that time to settle in and immerse myself in the world of social media and the various teacher networks. I’ve been getting to know what we’re all about : the people, the passion and the subject content . A big part of my job will be to visit students and teachers across the UK to promote TrueTube and it’s all about to kick off. By meeting people face to face I intend to find out what teachers need in terms of support and identify the future needs of RE in this forever changing world. I already have fifteen visits lined up to various schools and PGCE courses at universities across the country and I’m planning more and more each day! As I said in one of my previous updates, I have already presented TrueTube at Bullers Wood Secondary School, which resulted in really positive, and useful, feedback.
With a degree in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, it is undoubtedly rewarding to have a job where I can share my passion for the subjects I enjoy. There has been a lot of nervous tension around the future of religious education, and I hope I can contribute to sustaining the position of this important subject within school life. Religious education is a huge part of a young person’s social, moral and cultural development, encouraging the understanding and respect for diversity and different beliefs. How are we to understand ourselves if we cannot grasp belief systems which are so deeply rooted within the history of humanity? One of my main aims for each visit this year is to inspire and encourage students of all faiths and none to take an interest in understanding different religions and cultures, in the hope that this essential part of education is not neglected. I am visiting Bishop Justus Church of England School tomorrow to do a presentation at a ‘Continuing Professional Development’ Day for a range of teachers from different local schools. It will be the first presentation I’ll give to teachers-only audience, and I am looking forward to hearing what teachers think of TrueTube, and their personal opinions on where they see the subject heading in the future. Hopefully it will be a successful day, and be one of many more inspiring visits I have lined up for the coming year. If you would like me to visit your school or university, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]
0 Comments
Six short films have just gone live on TrueTube, each telling the story of a different person from the London Borough of Haringey . They are the result of a project set up by TrueTube with VividEcho and Haringey Council which helped Young Offenders from the borough reflect on the stories of local people who either came to Britain as immigrants, or who are from immigrant families. The young people were trained in filming and editing and have successfully produced artistic, thought-provoking content. People’s Day will be celebrated by Haringey Council for the first time in June, and these films will be shown as part of the celebration. The focus of all these films is to explore and celebrate the diversity and achievements amongst the community. Six characters are presented in this series, all of whom explain how they stepped out of their own culture and into a completely different world. Some have faced prejudice in their past, ranging from a woman who tells the story of living as a young Jew under Nazi rule, to an ex-soldier who is keen to dismiss the violent stereotype of the army. Other characters do not have a story entailing discrimination, but one of salutation; such as Gerassimos and Neville who explain how they embraced the British culture when they arrived from completely different surroundings and are proud of their personal achievements whilst living here. I find the most moving character to be Joan, who may appear to be an ordinary lady on the streets of London, but she does in fact have an extraordinary story. Joan was born in Brussels in 1940 to Jewish parents who faced the hatred and intolerance of the Nazis when the German army invaded Belgium. In the hope that her daughters would lead a better life, Joan’s mother sent her children away from danger to America to be fostered. Being so young at the time, Joan explains through heart breaking words, that she lost touch with her past and only understood the sacrifice and hardship involved once she was older and re-joined her parents in England. Joan says that one of her biggest achievements was putting one foot in front of the other, which certainly reflects the suffering rooted in this woman’s journey. After picking up her education later in life and having raised a family, putting one foot in front of the other proved to be the start of a happier life. You'll find the Joan's story linked below. These six clips are a perfect source of inspiration in Citizenship or RE lessons, and are bound to spark off stimulating discussion. They cover themes of bravery, acceptance, dedication and achievement and all of them are inspiring. Walking down the street and passing hundreds of people every day, we can become detached from the crowd. Films like this make us remember that the blur of anonymous faces are individuals in their own right, each with their own unique story to tell. Sometimes, the smallest acts can have big consequences. There is one small act we can all do which can have a big impact in the developing world. By buying Fairtrade products, we are ensuring people at the beginning of the chain are being fairly treated, unfortunately something that does not always occur. Many of us are aware of the Fairtrade Mark , but are not entirely sure what it means. We may know it’s something about being fair, and something about trading. However if we want to live in a fairer world, it is important that adults and children alike, grasp the full concept of what Fairtrade is all about. Fairtrade is a charity which ensures workers and farmers in the developing world receive fair terms of trade. It ensures decent working conditions and local sustainability for people who are vulnerable to the power of big companies. What can we do to take part? In celebration of Fairtrade Fortnight (24th February to 9th March), TrueTube has produced resources to get young people thinking about this type of global injustice and emphasizes the main focus this year - Fairtrade bananas. An Assembly Script, PowerPoint presentation and film can be found on the website and provide the perfect focus point to start thought-provoking conversation amongst your students. We must not let young people in our schools become ignorant of the hardship and corruption across the world. Education underlines the very aim of what charities like this are trying to achieve. All of which, can start from an inspiring assembly. So go bananas, and get involved. Below, you'll find the film connected to the assembly script and PowerPoint presentation on Fairtrade. All of which, can be found at TrueTube. This week, I’ll be discussing a subject which has been of great interest to me ever since I was properly introduced to it at university. The intriguing, colourful world of Buddhism fascinated me, and it was undoubtedly one of my favourite topics to study. I vividly remember being assigned my very first essay on Buddhism and massively underestimating the diversity, depth and beauty of what it all entailed. I’ve had the chance now to look back in time and realise just how much I enjoyed researching that particular essay, and how popular the subject was among the other students. The lectures on Buddhism were always packed, and we were all eager to learn more about this spiritual world and lifestyle. The reason I have the opportunity to write about it now, is due to the captivating films TrueTube has to offer on its origin, belief system and culture. Once again, the team have successfully managed to mirror the essential qualities of the subject matter through the use of engaging imagery, strong characters and relatable context. The film from the website that particularly grasped my attention was the animation ‘The Enlightenment of the Buddha.’ There are many benefits to using cartoons when teaching. The concepts you will be trying to convey to your students are instantly entailed within the imagery of the cartoon itself, which is more engaging than a big chunk of text. This particular use of animation concentrates on how the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, discovered the path to enlightenment and became known as the Buddha. The voiceover to the film plays a vital character within the storyline: Mara, The Lord of Hell speaks with Siddhartha Gautama as he meditates, trying to tempt him away from the right path. Through these words, and the diverse imagery, the voiceover tells the story of the Buddha, stressing the key points to the story. By the end of the film, your students will know how Siddhartha Gautama was, what he was trying to achieve, and a detailed account of how he achieved it. By presenting the foundation of Buddhism in the form of a vibrant cartoon, you’re giving your students the chance to truly engage and enjoy this complex part of their religious education. This is only one resource out of a wide range that TrueTube has to offer on Buddhism, all of which possess their own unique angle and creativity. You’ll see from the link below, how a mix of colour, entertainment and religious facts can be a valuable combination to use in the classroom, and one you won’t forget. The day of love is approaching, exemplified by the heart shaped chocolates in the shop windows, cheesy cards filling the shelves and roses booming around the flower stools. However we all know Valentine’s Day is not just about the cliches and chocolates, there are many issues surrounding the topic which are important lessons for young people to learn in PSHE. Relationships, sex, friendship, babies, marriage, families and kindness are all factors underpinning the meaning of love, and Friday the 14th of February, is the perfect day to get your students thinking about it all. TrueTube has a range of resources teachers can benefit from on Valentine’s Day including four films, an assembly script and a PowerPoint presentation. The TrueTube assembly script on Valentine’s Day is certainly one your students will remember. It explores the three versions of the celebration’s origin, each one tangled with religious conflict and a few historical facts. It is true that St Valentine was a saint of the Catholic Church but different versions of how he came to uphold ‘the day of love’ have all fought for a place to be the true origin of the tale. The assembly script tells the different versions in a story like manner, careful not to miss out any gory details, or pagan myths that will engage the students. The aim of the three games in the script is to get students thinking about the true meaning of love and kindness, all through the effort of team work. The script also notes when and how to use the PowerPoint and films TrueTube has on the subject, paying close attention to which film would be most relevant at each time slot. So by the end of the assembly, your students will have had the chance to develop their team working skills and will have learnt a detailed account of the mysterious history surrounding the day. The four films all come from slightly different angles, underpinning an important factor within this large subject area. Philosophical, ethical and biological aspects of love and sex are put forward in the classic TrueTube form with young people relating to one another. By using the full range of these valentine resources, you are conveying valuable lessons about relationships to your students. Below, you will find the TrueTube film 'I think I know What Love Is', an intriguing clip to help you get started. One more thing to add....
I did my first school visit to talk about TrueTube last week, and deliberately picked my old secondary school. A place full of good memories and familiar, friendly faces was a good starting point. Instead of interviewing three teachers for a few minutes each, I ended up taking four different classes ranging from year 7 to 10! Even though I was unprepared and nervous, my passion for the subjects and resourcefulness of TrueTube got me through, and I felt like I had done a really meaningful job by the end. I spent each lesson selecting a film from the site, and using it as a tool to start thought-provoking debate amongst the class. The positive feedback from the students and teachers has boosted my confidence dramatically - something I will need this year! It will hopefully be the start of many worthwhile school trips! If you would like me to come and visit your school, please feel free to contact me. Adults are not the only ones who deal with stress. Children and teenagers are just as likely to feel the weight of the world from time to time. Although these factors may be small and not seem to be a big deal on the surface, small things can build up and make even the youngest of people feel overwhelmed with worry or anxiety. It is important to recognise the different causes of stress, how to handle it, and how to deal with mistakes and move on. Without this basic understanding and ability to cope with problems, it can lead young people to take much darker paths, finding short term fixes through alcohol and drugs. TrueTube have just launched a new film by Biomation tackling such issues. 'The Stress Bag' gives young people advice and support on how to deal with stress and how people around them can help. A creative metaphor is used throughout the film to make what can be such a complex issue, easier to understand. Hundreds of blue beads are used to represent different factors of stress whilst a brown paper bag represents our minds. The film emphasizes the fact that stress is a normal feeling which every human being experiences. It is particularly important concept for young people to grasp because of the naivety attached to mental health. If a young person is not educated about the diversity of mental illnesses, they may mistake how they are feeling for something else which can lead to even further problems. For example, if they are feeling slightly stressed out with school work they may mistake this for severe depression which leads to unnecessary anxiety. Alternatively, they could suffer from severe depression and mistake it for short term stress, and not seek help. Ignorance like this can be avoided through education. The film then goes on to name the different factors of stress. This is all done through the bead and bag metaphor, mirroring the content of the voiceover. Like so many of the Biomation films a colourful, light hearted metaphor and a young voice over successfully makes a darker, serious subject easier for youngsters to understand. This is the perfect film for those students who are growing up very quickly and need to be able to deal with the pressures in life we all face. Coping with how many beads we have in our brown bag can be a lesson we can all benefit from! Every February in Britain since 2006, we speak out for LGBT people, and celebrate the contribution they have made to our society. It is not only race and gender that have met the ugly face of prejudice in the past. Homosexuality has been subjected to a long history of discrimination and it is during this month every year that we rise up against homophobia. LGBT month is a time to celebrate the lives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual people and their achievements throughout history. It is celebrated in February in Britain to coincide with the anniversary of Section 28’s abolition in February 2003. Amongst other things, the law effectively banned the teaching of homosexuality in schools, a law that added to the isolation and discrimination of a large minority of people. It is the abolishment of laws such as this that has allowed Britain to grow as a tolerant and accepting community, which it will hopefully continue to do. The main aim of LGBT month is to encourage cultural pluralism and diversity. To help people find the inner strength to be proud of who they are - be it gay or straight - and let this be a proud part of their identity. Last year, LGBT month concentrated on LGBT people in the fields of maths and science engineering with particular acknowledgment of the mathematician Alan Turing whose talent and genius was met with the hatred and ignorance of homophobia. This year takes a look at the contribution LGBT people make to the world of music. Many artists will be celebrated for their achievements including Jesse J, David Bowie, and Elton John. This month does not leave out LGBT people from the past either such as the classical composer Tchaikovsky who achieved extraordinary things despite being alive in an era when homosexuality was an indisputable crime. This year in particular, is a big one for the LGBT community as it coincides with the winter Olympics starting on the 7th of February in Sochi, Russia. The upcoming event has sparked a controversy due to the enforced homophobic policies and laws of the country. Many gay contenders from around the world have refused to attend the event on these grounds. The positive outcome of this situation is that the victims and culprits of this discrimination are globally revealed, encouraging further education on the dangers of prejudice. I am proud to stand up to the ignorance and inequality attached to homophobia and proud to work for a company that encourages such acceptance amongst young people. It didn’t take me long to figure out my favourite resources from True Tube, with their ethical films on gay rights being one of them. All the resources take into consideration the sensitivity and maturity level of students you may be teaching, and provide guidance throughout. The principle of equality is at the core of these resources, a lesson that always has been and always will be important to teach. One more important thing for teachers: We now have subtitles for over 60 more films for the hearing impaired in addition to the ones we already have – and more will be following! The film below concentrates on dispelling any myths about the gay community. It is one of seven compelling films TrueTube has to offer on gay rights (not forgetting the supportive lesson plan and assembly script!) I’ve started contacting schools and teachers this week to find out what they make of TrueTube and how they use it in the classroom. I’m also starting to plan visits to schools to promote the website, starting off with my old school Bullers Wood Secondary School! It’s been almost five years since I’ve seen my old teachers and I can’t wait to catch up with them and let them know how their lessons in R.E and philosophy inspired me to do the job I’m doing now. A place full of memories and friendly faces is a good place to start one of many school visits. film of the week! TrueTube has just launched another film that has got me thinking about what I take for granted. Breathing in and out is not often at the forefront of our minds. The delivery of oxygen and nutrients and the removal of carbon dioxide and waste products in every part of our bodies are functions we are not always conscious of, yet we cannot live without them. We owe our lives to the pump that does all of this, the most important pump in the world. Our hearts. Focusing once more on the subject of well being and avoiding the path to self destruction, ‘Alcohol & Cigarettes’ opens the audience’s eyes to the damaging link between fags, booze and our bodies. Young people who do not know their limits will particularly benefit from this. This video is a lot more focused than the film I've mentioned before(Story of a Heart) concentrating much more on the direct medical consequences of smoking and drinking. It demonstrates these effects through a “dance off” between two very different young characters. The sober character is portrayed as having ten times the street cred compared to his drunken competitor who can hardly stand up. This is to demonstrate to young people that you can fit in and have a good night out without drinking more than you can handle. It also focuses on a particular insecurity many young people have. Namely, feeling like they don’t have the confidence to talk to people, or that they are not good company unless they get drunk. The film aims to prove that you can be just as worthwhile to be around - if not better - without going over the top on the shots and pints. It also touches on the effect cigarettes can have on our hearts, and how quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to look after your body. The voiceover of the sober man explains the harsh affects of alcohol on his competitor’s heart as he keeps drinking. By the end, the audience will know that in the short term, it leaves you vulnerable and can get you into very embarrassing situations. In the long term, we find out how it can lead to abnormal heart rhythms and high blood pressure, which can lead to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. The sober character also informs us that three pints of alcohol is the same as drinking a pint of cream – a fact many people are not aware of! The film finishes with the sober man winning the competition with his unbeatable choreography skills – undoubtedly due to the clear head and perfect coordination you cannot hope to sustain when you’re drunk. If you’re hoping to reach out to those students who are at the vulnerable age of not knowing their drinking limits and what harm it can cause, this is one to watch. |