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A philosophical approach to education 

31/7/2014

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An important part of education, and indeed life in general, is to develop the ability to think for ourselves. In a world surrounded by technology and routine, easy solutions and calculated results have become the norm. The ability to stand back from a situation, to question it and challenge it is a skill many of us are losing our grip on. I am not only referring to the existential questions that have puzzled humanity for thousands of years; we don’t necessarily have to discover the meaning of life when reading a book or appreciating the beauty of a painting. What is important, however, is to think critically about the matter at hand, making our own minds up about the issue. Gathering knowledge and questioning what we already know should always go hand in hand.

From our earliest years to our last, we can benefit from philosophical questioning, increasing our ability to reason, debate and understand a different point of view. Without this skill, we are not so very different to a computer being programmed with facts and figures. It is what makes us human, and gives us the initiative to seek knowledge in the very first place. It is for these reasons which I support the emphasis on philosophy within education. Your students should have the time to delve into the minds of their fellow classmates and reflect upon the diversity of opinions in the room, let alone the diversity of opinions beyond the school gates.

Critical thinking can be used in all areas of education and holds a firm place in the study of religion in particular. Examining and reflecting upon a range of religious beliefs allows the upcoming generation to have a broader understanding of the world around them from cultural, historical and political perspectives. In the animated film “Proving God Exists” TrueTube has provided an introduction to the philosophy of religion, with teacher’s notes and an interactive activity to get your students brains ticking. In the film, a geeky scientist explores the main arguments for God’s existence, focusing on the key points, strengths and weaknesses of each one. The use of animation and humour make this film the perfect way to ease your students into what can be very complicated topics. The interactive activity offers a revision tool for your class, providing a stimulating task that the whole class can get stuck into. I have visited over seven universities and eleven schools since the beginning of this year, and often choose this resource to demonstrate. It has always received overwhelmingly positive feedback and continues to do so. Have a look at the link below and see what you think.

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Back to school

29/7/2014

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It can be hard to find motivation once we've had a long break. A good few weeks of soaking up the sun and forgetting our worries can be tricky for anyone to leave behind. Going into the office Monday morning after three weeks in Thailand can be just as challenging as the first day back at school in September. Finding new goals and the determination to achieve them is the key. TrueTube has provided an assembly script, PowerPoint presentation and film which aims to inspire those of us who may feel a little bit lost when trying to get back into the swing of things. The resources aim to inspire the audience to think about their next goal and reflect upon the journey ahead. The same metaphor is used throughout the whole script, with a tower representing the ultimate goal and the dangerous path through the mountains representing the journey. The script offers advice on how to reach such targets, emphasising the fact that the climb towards the tower is just as valuable and rewarding as the achievement itself. By exploring the implications of danger, distractions and attitudes towards your objective, this resource is the perfect way to kick off the new school year. Acknowledging the importance of the journey towards our goal is something we can forget to do whether we are an adult or a child. These resources may benefit more than just your students, giving everyone the lift needed after time away. 
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Eid Mubarak

22/7/2014

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The deeply rooted history and complexity found within many religious traditions, often makes them a challenge to teach. This is particularly emphasised when a tradition holds a significant position within a religion. Eid ul-Fitr for example, is an extremely important event in the Muslim calendar. It is an essential part of what it means to be part of the Islamic faith, as it allows time for deep reflection and gratitude to Allah.

Eid ul-Fitr means “the festival of fast-breaking” and marks the end of Ramadan, a month in the Muslim calendar when Muslims fast during daylight hours. The celebration begins with the first sight of the new crescent Moon and a communal Eid prayer takes place at a mosque. People dress up in their best clothes to signify the importance of the occasion, and eat all the delicious food they have resisted during their fast. It is a time to be with friends and family, and reflect upon the importance of being with the ones you love. It is also a time to fulfil one of the Five Pillars of Islam known as Zakat. This translates as charitable giving, and is a duty of all adult Muslims. People trapped in poverty are given money on Eid ul- Fitr so that everybody can share Allah’s blessing. Children are also given money as presents to mark this three day celebration. The most important aspect of this festival however, is to form an even closer relationship to Allah. The gratitude for food, water and self control, are all strengthened after the achievements of Ramadan.

To explain the key features and history of this Islamic festival, TrueTube has provided two films and a lesson plan. One of the films explores the celebration by interviewing young Muslims as the celebrations begin, asking key questions about the event. The second film reflects upon the importance of charitable giving, and how raising money for a cause can be fun. The lesson plan offers a range of activities for the classroom, making this particular lesson one to remember.  Whether you’re an experienced RE teacher or new to the subject, these resources offer a creative window into the Islamic world.

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Forced marriage

17/7/2014

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Fear is an important part of life. Fear is an instinctive reaction to danger, and without it, we would not get the necessary adrenaline rush which gives us the energy to either run away or fight the cause. It is a natural part of living and something we all experience at one time or another.

However, there is a certain kind of fear which many of us are lucky to never to face. Childhood usually comes with the wonderful gift of fearlessness. The joy of innocence and the lack of self-consciousness allows so many children to live happy lives, blissfully unaware of the heartache that is often found in adult life. There are however, many children in the world who are not so lucky. Among them are the victims of forced child marriage. Children as young as eight years old are forced to marry men much older than themselves. The victims are pushed into adult life many years before their natural time. Stripping away their innocence and freedom is something we must all stand up against if we are to protect those whose voices cannot be heard. Forced marriage happens for a number of reasons: cultural and religious expectations; the preservation of wealth and reputation in the family; and controlling sexual behavior are just a few examples. Many children in the UK are taken abroad in the school holidays, unaware of their fate. After experiencing many ordeals that no child should endure, they return after the holidays a shell of the happy child they once were.

One particular child, who was a victim of forced marriage, stood up for her rights and grew into the courageous woman she now is today. Sameem Ali was forced to marry a man she barely knew at only thirteen years of age. Although it gravely affected her physically and emotionally, she escaped the abusive lifestyle and is now an author, a local government councillor, and campaigns for education about the kind of abuse that haunted her upbringing. TrueTube have produced a film exploring Sameem’s story, highlighting how forced marriage happens, why it happens, and how we can all help to prevent it. It is through the power of education that we can preserve the innocence of childhood which is so carelessly taken away. 

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anchors aweigh 

15/7/2014

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As I explained when I first started this blog, I am taking part in the ‘Time to Shine’ Internship Scheme with the Rank Foundation. Within this internship, I am filling the role of Marketing and Research Assistant at TrueTube.  In addition to the amazing experience I am gaining within my role, I am offered several amazing opportunities which are too valuable to miss. One of which, was a sailing voyage in association with Tall Ships Adventures. Before the Sailing Voyage, I tried to prepare myself for a tough week ahead. I assumed it would be very early mornings, hard work and a generally quite regimented. It lived up to my expectations in terms of early starts and working hard, but there was much more of an informal, social atmosphere amongst the team than I’d thought there would be. This was definitely a preferable style, as it meant we felt comfortable socialising with our captain and first mate, and felt we could talk to them if we needed support. 

I developed many skills such as working well in a team, coping well in tough situations and time keeping. A typical day would include waking up around 7am, eating breakfast as a team and preparing the ship for the day ahead. This would include winching, hoisting the sails, tacking, jibing and rigging. All sailing activities required strong team work and dedication, skills I feel we all developed individually. The highlight of the voyage for me, was making genuinely good friends for life.  Even though a week is not a long time, it is a very intense amount of time to spend with people you don’t know in very close proximity. Consequently, I became very close to a few of the girls. We were a mixture of youth workers and people from the Time to Shine Internship scheme. We now share the memories of sailing to Portsmouth, Aldany, Dorset, Jersey and the Isle of Wight. I have no doubt that the crew will keep in touch and will take on a challenging voyage in the near future. 


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Celebrating the trip with the ladies on board 
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One small step

3/7/2014

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Talking to new people in a new place can be a daunting experience, regardless of age. Whether you’re starting your first day at a new school or introducing yourself to a new team at work, it is completely normal to feel nervous. People can often seem confident and sociable in such situations, but they may be concealing a wave of anxiety. Making polite conversation, getting involved in discussion and making your voice heard are all challenges when you’re not in familiar surroundings. Support and guidance for dealing with this type of anxiety can come in all forms. The use of humour for example, should not be underestimated. A light-hearted approach to a serious topic can sometimes be the right approach to take. On TrueTube we have an increasing number of animations whose wittiness and relaxing tone can make a subject seem much more manageable, simple and less intimidating.

Biomation Productions is a social enterprise which provides this exact type of advice. They help children and young people to create informative animated films which explore issues people want to talk about. The film ‘One Small Step – Making Friends in New Places’ tackles the issue of meeting new people, giving advice for every step of the way. TrueTube is proud to host a range of Biomation films, including this one. Shy, likeable aliens are used as the main characters, symbolising the alienation people can feel in so many situations. The aliens travel around the galaxy, meeting new life forms on different planets. Feeling shy and isolated, they take the advice provided and soon feel at home. If you’re looking for a film to approach this topic in a gentle but efficient way, this could be the perfect resource to show your students. It is especially suitable for Year 6s visiting your school for the first time, or when they begin as Year 7s in September. Everybody deserves to feel comfortable in new surroundings, whether you’re an alien from Mars, or a shy student at the back of the class. 

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    Jessica Toogood
     


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