Today I had a good session with my other two peers. They have chosen really great ideas for their artefact.
The first was the idea is to enable students the opportunity to discuss their backgrounds (through textiles), to reflect on how they could bring these elements into their practice and to build connections and affirm their classmates. I really liked this idea of using material to express who they are. My only feedback was for my peer to do an example first, maybe show some fabric that they felt represented them. This would allow the students not only a clear understanding of the task but also an insight into their teacher, allowing them to create a safe space for sharing.
The second idea was to use the print room as an art gallery, for the students to display their work. Intersectionality an important element of this artefact, being a black male tutor, my peer wanted to create a space for other black students to be able to share their work and create discussions on their artwork. The concept would be that the artwork would be undated every few years so that students could see their work displayed and know it was a safe space to express themselves without fear of being misunderstood.
My interventions are to introduce positionality into the discussion before writing The Code of Conduct. I wanted to discuss what positionality is and use my positionality as an example for the students to understand but also to know that this was a safe space for us to speak.
Why am I doing this intervention?
Most of the students on the course I teacher are from Overseas, European, with some home students. I think it’s important to celebrate this diversity but also highlight the difference cultures, races, religions, and sexualities as they can been viewed differently depending on your own point of view.
Before writing the Code of conduct, it’s important for us all to think about who we are (our race, gender, religion, sexuality) and share it with the group. This will allow us to hear from other people in the group and consider how our own view of the world might differ from theres due to our lived experiences.
Do we have any social biases that could affect our relationships?
Look at this chart and think about all the different headings related to you.
· 5 mins to think about who you are
· 5 mins to share and discuss
Ideas for exercise-either or both
· 2 most popular fruit
· 3 facts one false
Feedback to my idea.
I had positive feedback from both of my peers. They liked the idea that it would build relationships by learning about each other whilst highlighting our differences and preconceive ideas.
I asked which exercise I should do, and they said that the fruit got the idea of positionality across very simply, but the ‘3 facts, one false’, gave a richer experience for all the students, especially when they have just started the course.
Overall I think that all our chosen artefact/interventions focus on inclusivity, the feedback was constructive as I think it allowed us to know that we were on the right track. This feedback from my peers helped me to consolidate my idea. Finally it was a good opportunity to chat to my peers to hear their thought and learn more about their teaching.
Hi Juliet, thank you so much for sharing your intervention idea as well as your feedback on Monday.
I really enjoyed listening you you talk about your idea of introducing a short exercise around positionally with students before co-creating a code of conduct with them.
It was really helpful that you outlined your context and spoke about your interest in exploring ‘the lens’ through which we view culture and reality, and this is, of course, so relevant in your discipline.
I felt your ‘3 facts’ idea worked on so many levels. I imagined students finding the exercise fun and engaging (as we did). Definitely a great way for students to begin to consider their positionally in a ‘light’ way as well as build connections with their classmates. Being encouraged to share in this way surely sends a strong message to students that they can bring their ‘whole’ selves to the classroom and their experiences are valuable.
Hi Josephine, It was great talking to you too and hearing your ideas. Thanks also for your feedback here, I’m excited to do the workshop with the students as positionality is so important.