Join the Conversation

Join The Conversation

Sometimes, just sometimes life begins to resemble a B Grade movie. You know, the ones where an innocuous by line lost in a newspaper report, explodes into a world changing event leading to a dystopian, zombie apocalypse. The hero/ine rides in on a Harley or helicopter, with well placed smudges and attractive dishevelment and saves the world from ruin... I'm sure that you get the picture. Well, while exploring the SDGs and trying to get schools on board, global issues that were significant enough to engage everyone in meaningful dialogue, suddenly became dwarfed by circumstance. Students were beginning to look at important issues that might have felt a little remote to them. Now SDG 3 is no longer a remote consideration since Covid 19 has evolved into a pandemic which we are all currently confronting. Few lives are untouched by the changes that are unfolding in our daily routines and relationships, but that doesn't mean that we lose track of those things that help life make sense.

Today we aren't craning our necks looking for external heroes. We recognise that they are right here in our communities and that their stories need to be told and we as teachers with young writers around the world are well placed to tell them. From the services, medicos and carers, to those working relentlessly to discover a cure; strategies to manage co-ordinating the traffic and care of people confirmed with the virus, and the rare but wise and wonderful leaders who advocate calm and patience (and yes there are some such as the PM of Singapore), people are stepping up and stepping out of their comfort zones to put the welfare of others before their own. 

Positive psychology has research which backs the contention that remaining calm and a positive 'can do' perspective, not only eases any sense of panic but also increases our immune systems. Being proactive and informed is important. This is where this project may prove helpful, particularly in situations where learning is being conducted remotely.

We also understand that this health issue touches upon so many of the SDGs and is far more immediate an experience than we ever anticipated at the beginning of this project. However, where we may have shared some sustainable development issues in clusters of countries, this current situation provides us with a shared experience; one which means that our young writers have their shared experience to draw upon. Not to diminish the awful impact and socially disruptive nature of this health issue, the ASEF Writing /Blogging Project: Writing our Way To A Better World, allows young people a place to share their stories and understanding of current events. Yes they can draw upon SDG 3 Health and Well Being as their stimulus, but this health issue is having an impact upon many of the other SDGs and blogging about it and the impact it is having upon some of them may be the pressure valve our students need to help retain a balanced perspective. To advocate, inform, diarise, support and write factual objective reports, articles, poetry and prose provides a place to process the negative scare mongering, hype and hyperbole. The cartoon above that I created for the project seems inane now but the concept of creating cartoons to share stories and to help younger students understand the issues we are currently confronting, may be useful. Book Creator is another tool that may prove to be a good collaborative tool to be used remotely. Writing, sharing, speaking and responding to the words of others is a life-giving experience. Have your students go to Write the World and respond to the group prompts and competitions; have them participate in Flipgrid video exchanges and more importantly, have them advocate and engage.

Please encourage your writers to engage in the writing process, as much for themselves as for their understanding of global issues.

The prayer below was shared on social media and I think speaks beyond religious boundaries. As we wake to ever shifting conditions, it gives us a moment to pause. Go gently into your week and weekend and know that Maria and I are keeping the project rolling and understand that you do have other imperatives that might keep you busy or only able to participate sporadically.

Reasons to Believe

It has been a busy week and a joy filled one. This week we saw our Flipgrids gain traction. We have had over sixty videos made and almost an equal number of responses to those videos. Last week our Portuguese participants made their introductions and they were joined by some of my MSM Writers who responded and began a dialogue. Yesterday students from Singapore introduced themselves too. It wasn't only the domain of the student participants though, On a separate Flipgrid, the teachers began to share their hopes for the project. It is wonderful to be able to put a face to a name. We are working together to build skills and connections for our students and sharing the belief that we each have the ability to participate in building sustainable development, to reach goals that will enhance the quality of life for all, will make transformation possible.

It is a humbling thing to have the chance to bring so many people from so many countries across Asia and Europe together. At this point 35 schools from over 20 countries have expressed interest and are beginning to become familiar with the applications and platforms we are using. Naturally there are some considerations that we continue to work around such as time zones and school terms but they are nothing insurmountable. Showing our students our flexibility and resilience and willingness to participate is really important modelling. I also had interest in the project from our sister schools and it will be fabulous to have them on board. The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) are key to the Catholic Social Teachings that underpin our four schools. The fact that they, the SDGs are fundamental to us all irrespective of race or creed is probably one of the key factors driving me. I LOVE the fact that we have common goals and that our young writers can find that there is little real distance between them, geography not withstanding. I'm finding that my mind is often abuzz. The digital bower bird in me is constantly looking to improve my own practice and that inevitably leads to sharing what I find. The Google Earth Project I am creating helps us to see where we are in the world and will in itself contain evidence of our closeness and connection in the shared projects.

The wind outside is tossing trees and the sky is grey. It sets me to thinking about all of us sharing the same sky but experiencing our own postage stamp of it. Perspective is such a personal thing and it shows in our writing. Learning about one another's perspectives is something exciting to anticipate. I created a web page on AI and Machine Learning that also had me thinking about perspectives. You might like to have a look. I also adapted a SAMR Model table so that participating teachers could add their best practice. Learning how to use technology to modify or redesign student outcomes together, may be the gift that keeps giving. I certainly hope so.

On another note the young writers in Ireland have begun exploring their thoughts on the environment and are considering ways that we might be proactive in protecting it. I recommend that you go to our Write the World group and have a read. More writing will appear over time and we will need to think about how we share it meaningfully so that others may be stirred into caring enough to take action.

Check out

Australia's oceans are safe, and other lies you can tell yourself. Seanthesheep (Ireland)

Or

The Importance of Bees

By Laoisewood (Ireland)

Although you may only view bees as fuzzy, black and yellow bugs that fly from flower to flower, stinging anyone in their path, they actually play a major role on our planet and without them, life would cease to exist. Bees are an extremely important part of our environment as they are our predominant pollinator, pollinating one-third of all the food we eat...

The writing outcomes from this project are rich and are not limited to any particular genre. Participants may decide that they like the idea of creating an ebook where they can narrate their words and share their voice or perform a poetry slam. They may write letters and articles, plays and protest commentary. The project is limited only by our imaginations.

The key is our core belief. We have a responsibility to act wisely and justly to ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals remain in the forefront of our consciousness. The future that our participants are helping to shape must be a place where nothing is taken for granted, including unwitting gender bias that can infiltrate our use of AI and other technology. Finding ways to talk about our world, its needs and issues, are steps toward action. Words are powerful. Words grounded in a firm, shared, life-giving vision, gain life and force. Let's make sure that we give others a reason to believe.
Write
and
write
and then

WRITE some more.