Not Yet

Carol Dweck’s research on “growth mindset” — the idea that we can grow our brain’s capacity to learn and to solve problems. In this influential talk, Carol Dweck describes the power of a positive, growth mind set and how to approach problems. ‘Are you not smart enough to solve it … or have you just not solved it yet?’ (Dweck, C. 2014)

https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve?language=en

This reminds me of Naomi Cleary’s comment in response to one of my forum posts; week 11,

‘…it’s not a problem, it’s another opportunity’.

My View of a Future Learning Space

My FLS will reflect a holistic approach to the education of Calais refugees. It will involve the community and identify the significance of nature and our environment as a whole. Teaching is so much more than a classroom environment, it involves a whole community. There are so many elements of education…an ability to grow through self expression, through experiencing change, as seen in the liminal space of so many refugees and the ability to educate ourselves academically and socially through increasingly adapting and engaging with change; whether in nature, self, others, technology or environment.

What would I like my FLS to achieve?

To ignite change, to respectfully identify the needs; social, academic and emotional of the refugees. Particularly the need for a ‘holistic’ approach to education. As Adam Staples (2015) mentioned in ASC 5…’many of the refugees will already be educated’. Now they need the tools which will equip them for a future in their host country. A process of education and awareness is needed to enable the refugees to have a voice, have a place in the society and economic growth of their host country.

End Goals

I feel some of the end goals for the refugees are to prepare and encourage them to follow a course of study which will ultimately assist them in their future chosen career. At least the refugees should have the opportunity to be on track with the schools in their destined country, if known. For example the refugees in Calais will hopefully reach England and as such will need to have access to learning the English language. It would be an advantage to prepare them for british culture and society. In order to acquire jobs they will need to know basic English and have the ability to complete written tasks, forms and job applications.

Offering an education which is appropriate in content and language to their destination will ‘unlock’ the routine and hopefully, give them some hope and encouragement while they are waiting for change.

Future Refugees

After reading the SMH article regarding a refugee who arrived in this country 15 years ago without knowing what the internet was, is now working for Google, I am reminded of their determination.

I fear some Australians and Europeans are afraid of what the refugees might achieve. Will they take our jobs?, houses?, etc. Well yes, of course they will if they work hard and they will rightly deserve what they have worked hard for. It is so easy to become complacent in this rich, modern society we live in and everyone who works hard will eventually deserve to reap the benefits. Remembering, many refugees will be educated and have university degrees. Will they be accepted? Or will the government ask them to re-qualify? There is no doubt the refugees will have a lot to offer the people and eventually, the economy of the countries where they settle. I wish them every success.