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News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Learning about Majority Rule through walking classroom
Jan 17, 2017 - 12:23:08 PM

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Dr. Tracey Thompson, Director, “From Dat Time”: The Oral & Public History Institute of the University of The Bahamas moderates the second day of the University of The Bahamas Distinguished Lecture and Symposium on January 13, 2017, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Majority Rule. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)

Nassau, The Bahamas – The University of The Bahamas addressed the topic “Technology, Innovation and Majority Rule” on the second day of its Distinguished Lecture and Symposium in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Majority Rule. The Lecture addressed innovation in the teaching of history, and more specifically the use of technology to relay the Majority Rule narrative.

The panel discussion, January 13, 2017 at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre, UB, was presented by “From Dat Time”: The Oral and Public History Institute, School of Social Sciences and University Libraries Department.

Presenters were: Jessica Dawson, Public History Fellow in Research and Technology, “From Dat Time”: The Oral & Public History Institute; and Pearl Baker, Education Officer for Social Studies (high school), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Dr. Tracey Thompson, Director, “From Dat Time”: The Oral & Public History Institute, was the moderator.

Dr. Thompson noted that despite studies of the history of The Bahamas finding their way onto the shelves of libraries by academic historians and independent scholars, and the future of academic and independent study of Bahamian history appearing bright, the challenge is to bring the conclusions of the scholars into the fabric of everyday conversation among our young people.

“As part of that effort we have to make those conclusions easy to access for teachers as they develop lesson plans, and for students as they look for information to carry out research assignments.”

In her presentation, Pearl Baker, Social Science High School Education and Curriculum Officer in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, expounded on the Innovative Pedagogy of the 50th Anniversary of Majority Rule in The Bahamas.

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Pearl Baker, Education Officer for Social Studies (high school), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, addresses the University of The Bahamas Distinguished Lecture and Symposium on Innovative Pedagogy of Majority Rule at its 50th Anniversary. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)

The 2017 theme for the Department of Education is “Educating Students to Create Life-Long Learners.” This theme is in keeping with one of the 2015 initiatives of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Summit, which is to “ensure inclusive equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.”

“The Social Science High School Unit has embarked on creating life-long learners by utilizing strategies to improve and enhance students’ performance and participation. In observance of the 50th anniversary of Majority Rule the Social Science Unit has focused on four main areas to harness Innovative Pedagogy, said Mrs. Baker.

The areas include:

· Utilizing pedagogical strategies such as Discovery Learning, Experiential Learning and Anchored Instruction;

· The Walking Classroom: An Integrated Approach;

· Enhanced Learning Experiences; and

· Developing Future Walking Classrooms

She announced that with the assistance of Ramble Bahamas, the Department is embarking on an initiative to incorporate Innovative Pedagogy into a Walking Classroom. Students and teachers will use technology to learn about geo-historic sites.

“For the 50th anniversary of Majority Rule in The Bahamas, the Walking Classroom is used to help spread the message of freedom. This strategy was adopted from a model used in 2015 when seven Bahamians were invited to share in the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights in Selma, Alabama. With some modifications, this came concept is being adopted to share with students the struggles of our forefathers and mothers,” Mrs. Baker said.

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Jessica Dawson, Public History Fellow in Research and Technology, “From Dat Time”: The Oral & Public History Institute – panelist on the topic, ‘Digital History and Ramble Bahamas.’ (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson).

Through the walking classroom, students and teachers are able to access a website and view six major historic sites (Southern Recreation Grounds, Bethel Baptist Church, the House of Assembly, the Mace incident, The Carlton Hotel and the Reinhard Hotel) that provide information and are connected to other events and places.

Through the use of Ramble Bahamas students and teachers are able to walk, view and learn the narrative of those who struggled for Majority Rule. The trail and route begin and end at the Southern Recreation Grounds.

“As these areas are being viewed, lessons about people, places and surviving infrastructure will be discussed,” said Mrs. Baker.

She explained that this will enable students to have an empathetic appreciation of the past. The relevant information is tied into the six main sites that are on Ramble Bahamas.

Additional sites to be researched and chronicled are: Windsor Park, known as ‘the University of Wulff Road,’ Burma Road, and the airport site -- to discuss the events surrounding the Taxi Union Strike and the Burma Road Riots.

Ms. Dawson enlightened the audience with an overview of digital history and Ramble Bahamas. She said museums can no longer solely rely on traditional exhibits and must adapt to the digital realm.

Moreover, she noted that current and future technology allows for the possible storage of everything people write, say, and photograph.

The recently launched website, www.ramblebahamas.org is an open source content management system and investigates significant people, places and events that have occurred in The Bahamas.

Ramble Bahamas is a project by "From Dat Time": The Oral & Public History Institute of the University of The Bahamas.



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