"Place-based education (PBE) immerses students in local heritage, cultures, landscapes, opportunities and experiences, using these as a foundation for the study of language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and other subjects across the curriculum. PBE emphasizes learning through participation in service projects for the local school and/or community." (promiseofplace.org)
This quote reminds me a lot of one of my favorite professors here at Central and her name is Dr. Clark (I think I've mentioned her before). Dr. Clark as well as Dr. Werblow strongly emphasize the importance of community and giving back to it. For example, in my EDT 210 class last semester Dr. Werblow took my classmates and I to downtown New Britain to talk to locals in order to truly understand the New Britain community. In addition, Dr. Clark required students in her class to do community service projects such as volunteer at a soup kitchen, work in schools, volunteer at a local business, tutor children, etc. The understanding of community and the act of giving back to it is something I never really understood until now. By relating to the community, by having your students give back to it, and relating community issues and successes to a curriculum is a very strong and effective way of having students learn (at least I think).
"3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful.
a. Ensure that communities at all levels guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms and provide everyone an opportunity to realize his or her full potential.
b. Promote social and economic justice, enabling all to achieve a secure and meaningful livelihood that is ecologically responsible... 5... d. Require multinational corporations and international financial organizations to act transparently in the public good, and hold them accountable for the consequences of their activities." (earthcharterinaction.org)
This philosophy is very admirable and I feel that elements of this is incorporate into our class. What do you think? This quote again reminds me of Dr. Clark for it relates to social and economic justice. I do have on question though, how are we going to hold multinational corporations and international financial organizations accountable for their wrong doings? Do we charge them fines? Do we threaten to shut them down? Do we give them slaps on the wrists? What's the right way to do this and what's the wrong way?
"‘A just policy should make sure that these industries that over-exploit our resources are not allowed to happen in areas of drought. The needs of the farmers and local communities should be first and foremost,’ he said." (Levitt)
I know that factories and power plants release a number of pollutants into the air but I never thought about the lack of resources and how businesses can negatively effect communities in the United States and across the globe. I used to look at globalization in a positive light due but now I have no idea why. Was I just really stupid in regards to what's going on in the world and how business is negatively effecting the environment and communities? Or was I only exposed to only the "positives" of globalization and just didn't look past the presented truth? I know that in the business world you think simply about what can make the most profit but why aren't they looking at how the local community can be affected?
I really liked your first quote. I actually have the same one in my blog. Though when I read the quote it really made me think about the schooling the world video we watched. How the people in places like Ladek no longer care for their environments especially the students. They have become so caught up in the western culture that they are forgetting about their own. It is important for people to learn about their own cultures and to take pride in it and be proud of where they come from.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really important for people to take pride in their own cultures and where they've come from too. Quite honestly, I would love to go to Ladakh and experience their culture. I have never seen such a breath taking landscape in Connecticut (seeing as how there are so many buildings, cars, and pavement). The people of Ladakh clearly have a connection with nature but westerners do not. Is there a way for westerners to formulate a clear and defined connection with nature?
ReplyDeleteI agree and believe that Ladakh is beautiful as well, but unfortunately due to the westernization of our culture I believe that it has lost some of its beauty. Which is a complete shame. I believe westerns could formulate and connect with nature but they would have to be willing. As we talked in class last week the definition of Haole really does define us. We have no connection with nature and do not understand that everything we do affects it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's sad yet so true. I wish there was a way in which we could lose our materialistic values and formulate a connection with nature like the Hawaiians do. I wish there was a simple solution, but unfortunately there is not.
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