Which scaffolding activities are appropriate to promote the global dimension?
Another scaffolding tool useful when exploring the global dimension is the 'Development compass rose' (adapted from Birmingham DEC, 1995, p. 19), which you can see by clicking on the icon below.
Development compass rose
(Adobe PDF 5.0)
The cardinal points of the compass are replaced by four major dimensions, or processes, affecting the geography of places, while directions between the dimensions (such as SE) stimulate thoughts about some of the combined effects (in this instance, social and economic factors).
The concept of 'local' needs to be redefined so that its meaning is extended beyond that of 'the pupil's immediate vicinity'. Everywhere is local to someone and, by placing a locality at the centre of the development compass rose, we can consider more easily the different processes operating on that locality and its people.
Look now at the activity on the right, which focuses on scaffolding activities. Appropriate scaffolding activities enable pupils to engage with complex global issues. To demonstrate this approach it is useful to use the compass rose to explore a specific location in the world.
Activity Resources:
- Images
- Interactive
- Sound
- Text
- Video
Activity
- Carry out a web search using the 'Google' search engine for an image or photo that illustrates a global issue. Typical issues might include:
- drought;
- deforestation;
- pollution;
- poverty.
- Use the compass rose to interrogate the photo. Make notes on your knowledge and perceptions, and dimensions and processes, in relation to the issue.
- Plan a similar activity for a group of your pupils using the tool.
