Sci-fi, video games and rock to spark class curiosity

There is always a debate about what should be taught in the framework of compulsory education from different and legitimate points of view: increase encyclopedic knowledge, favoritism practical skills, or reinforcement absorb, for example. It is also defended for promotion Social and human situations From depth, since it is understood that the educational system constitutes whole people and not databases.

It makes sense that there are contents that are outside the syllabus, or dealt with superficially. There are many cultural things that are not part of educational plans, and the usual thing is that there is a bias towards high culture: those valued by the elites, which make up traditional law, sometimes called “superior culture”. An example of this could be the praise of cinema Abbas Kiarostami He despises the TV series for being “massive”. However, there are many other types of culture that are also important in our lives: a pop band, a comedian doing a monologue, a horror movie, or late teenage poem On Instagram, to give some examples.

Pushing the boundaries of what is being done in class gets better Romantic relationship With subjects, it stimulates interest and allows new reflections. This is why it is important to promote the presence of cultural identity and the interests of students to Fatah Sharia (in this case, educational).

Cultural identity is an individual mixture consisting of a person’s interests, tastes and preferences, but it is also conditioned by its social, economic, educational, linguistic, familial context, etc. Each of us forms unique cultural intersections, and we in turn form groups: those who are not In the center of domination It is ignored and made invisible. To make their cultural objects present in the classroom is to give them entity, respect and dignity.

To do this, we created on the portal ler From Ministry of Education and Vocational Training our project “Another wave. An educational approach to the outside world “.

Beyond the margins of Sharia

The reasons for taking something out of the law are many, both private and external. In some cases, the very existence of these cultural expressions must actually be related to this marginalization: they can free themselves from bonds and constraints.

However, being outside the canon turns away from the centers of power: it makes it difficult to be visible and achieve a worthy presence that transcends immediate presence. This also affects unfair and artificial boundaries, such as those opposing high culture with popular culture.

Biases and special advantages

Sometimes we don’t judge things for ourselves. for us Teacher’s prejudices are great enemies That makes it hard to move forward and show empathy and understanding for others. And these others are sometimes our students.

There are intrinsic benefits associated with the use of these other cultural objects. They are interesting in terms of their own advantages and in their differences there are great virtues: the way we as users interact with a video game is different from the experience of watching a movie; History is full of erotic characters that transcend sexual bisexuality, modern music can be as rich and complex as the most exalted classical compositions…

Podcasts and educational materials

“Another wave” It is a series of seven Podcasts Which brings us closer to what is outside the law, directed to the last years of secondary education. In these programs, we think about different cultural things and how to bring them into the classroom. Thus, we’re talking about science fiction, video games, progressive rock… and how they can tap into different themes of the show. In addition to listening to them, we can download texts from that educational portal.

With all audio notation We found a downloadable file with tutorial suggestions on this topic. For example, how do we meet Carmen de Burgos and his work on language and literature, how to talk about trans people in history, or how to illustrate major issues of musical composition with examples from rock music.

This exploration of the external is intentionally plural: treating these cultural contributions with respect and earnestness legitimizes them as part of a diverse education with values. For this reason, the programs are designed for teachers who want to bring this type of content into their classrooms, and for students who want to learn more.

multidisciplinary discussion

It pays to think interdisciplinary and remember that social and human issues cannot be confined to the background. We can, for example, read science fiction stories in English and improve language skills, but at the same time, these texts speak to us about moral and civic aspects. Not in vain, the disciplines of the humanities have been and will be absolutely necessary for the education of citizens.

the Draft It seeks to promote the necessary debate, to break out of the dominant space – cultural, social or educational – and to dialogue with the many possible canons. Two simple examples: world guards It opens discussions about inheritance and history, and digital literature about technologies and their weight in society.

We can wonder if canonical extensions are a distraction. Also if said distraction has positive effects anyway. We must suggest strategies to expand what is happening in the classroom, which is motivating and relevant.

Being broad and different helps remember that there are all kinds of people and places in the world that we can meet. Promoting the approach to other prospects in a place like the classroom sows the seeds of curiosity, which can lead to a better understanding of self and others.