Message Stick

Hi All
(I am back on board after a week or so of taking care of a sick child), I have just watched David Vadiveloo on Message Stick, bringing his Community Prophets project to the remote North Qld community of Aurukun. My first thoughts were that after completing our teaching training many of us will spend some time teaching in remote or rural schools. And although not all these schools will be indigenous, the techniques used in this clip could be applied to any classroom with disengaged students. David emphasised the primary point that a story comes from within you whilst explaining that the technology and equipment was secondary, a tool only for the telling. In this way he was celebrating the students individual voices and culture. David described the story telling process by acting out with the students the key elements of a narrative structure, appealing to their kinaesthetic learning needs. He scaffolded learning by beginning with simple animation to show how moving image worked. Brainstorming activities were conducted to generate and establish ideas. Responses to student input included continuous positive reinforcement helping build confidence and pride in their work. An added benefit of the projects was the positive results in reducing behavioural problems. A very useful pedagogical approach for teachers struggling with engaging their students.
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/messagestick/stories/s2496801.htm.