Dressing up time…
Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:57:00 BST
Rather than just filling out evaluation forms, first year BA Childhood Studies students recently reviewed their Social Policy module by putting on a fashion show, but with a difference – they were asked to bring an item of clothing from their ‘dressing up box’ at home!
As Ceri Daniels and Chris Blamires, lecturers on the course explained; ‘throughout the course students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and on their developing understanding and knowledge; this seemed a creative and fun way to draw that out. It also meant the last day together, before the summer break, ended with a real sense of camaraderie and lots of laughter. We felt the evaluation was incredibly rich as it really helped people to think about their learning and highlight some personal development as a result of the module.’
Students were asked to bring one item of clothing, jewellery or other accessories to class on the last day of term. They were then given basic instructions to create and produce a fashion show which demonstrated and celebrated their learning throughout the module. Having been told they had just over one hour to prepare for a twenty minute show, students nominated several ‘models’ for the catwalk while the tutors headed off to give them space to be creative.
The result would have made the fashion houses of Paris and London envious! To a carefully selected procession of songs, models strode down the catwalk in pairs and trios displaying their fabulous outfits crafted from the combined ‘dressing up’ items. The models were accompanied by a narrator who told the story of learning captured in the displays; for example dark glasses illustrating how people may view the world and create social policy and law through tinted lenses and a ‘hoodie-wearing teenager with attitude’ representing how young people can be negatively perceived.
One of the student’s commented; ‘This was a brilliant way of thinking about what we have learnt on the module – when we got together to plan, we went back to the early classes and then talked through all the topics and issues we had covered. I was really surprised by how much we have looked at. We had great fun, but I did genuinely walk away realising that I’ve learned loads too. Can’t wait for next year now!’
