Citizenship and social action: developing skills for the future

1
Citizenship and social action developing skills
for the future

• Julia Fiehn
• for the Learning and Skills Network
• AQA Complete Sixth Form Conference
• 24 June 2011

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Aims of session

• To identify the skills gained from active
  citizenship
• To illustrate activities that develop these
  skills
• To explore the relevance of these skills for
  future education and employment

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The background

• 2002 Citizenship education made statutory for
  11-16 year olds (following first Crick report -
  1998)
• 2000 Second Crick report, on post-16 Citizenship
• 2001 - 2005 Post-16 Citizenship Development
  Programme ran in 11 projects areas
• 2005 - present Post-16 Citizenship Support
  Programme provides free resources, website and
  training, funded by BIS via LSIS, managed by LSN
• (www.post16citizenship.org)
• Future unsure, but most aims overlap with
  current governments policies for Big Society

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What is citizenship education?

• Citizenship education involves young people in
• the investigation of topical, controversial,
  social and political issues
• forming considered opinions
• being willing and able to use their voice in
  their organisation and community
• gaining knowledge about our political system
• gaining the skills needed to engage in it
• taking responsible social action to influence
  an issue

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What is citizenship Education? A focus on the
public aspects of life
The issue Examples of PERSONAL aspects Examples of PUBLIC aspects
Drugs and alcohol What effects can addiction have on a persons life? How should addicts be treated by the judicial system?
Personal finance How can I keep out of debt? What are the social implications of fees for higher education?
Sexual health How can people avoid sexually transmitted infections? How effective is the strategy for health education aimed at young people?
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Range of approaches to citizenship education in
post-16 organisations

• Citizenship education through
• Learner voice and representation
• Relevant qualifications and personalised
  programmes
• Group tutorial and enrichment programmes
• Voluntary and community-based activities
• Single events
• Research projects

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Essential opportunities for citizenship learning

• Identify, investigate and think critically about
  citizenship issues, problems or events of concern
  to them
• and
• decide on and take part in follow-up social
  action, where appropriate
• and
• reflect on, recognise and review their
  citizenship learning

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Learning skills the stages

• Identifying skills
• Developing skills
• Practising skills
• Applying and consolidating skills
• Reflecting on and reviewing skills

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Video clip debates(an example of preparation
and reflection to identify and develop skills.
See www.post16citizenship.org)

• Activity 1

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Negotiation skills (a role play activity)

• Activity 2

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Persuade a doubter that citizenship skills
support success in future education, employment
or training.

• Activity 3
• (a discussion activity in pairs with observer)