SCRATCHING THROUGH BORDERS

Presented at Refresh 2011

Candace Lewko and Tobiah Goldstein

The Youth In Transition

Program

The Guiding QuoteFreedom is not worth having if it does not

include the freedom to make mistakes.—Mahatma Gandhi

ScratchingParticipate!

Using a scratching utensil, attempt to scratch a similar image to the square provided in the bag.

Scratch during the presentation.

Take note of your own limitations, frustrations, and successes. Take note of the experience for short discussion at the end of the presentation.

• the learner group – ESL Literacy, ages 16-24

• the experience: How did the students get here?

The Project

• arts-based tasks to practice problem-solving• taking the students on a journey where

frustration already exists• facilitation of ‘scratching’

The steps to achieving our goal

PROPERTIESAllow user to leave interaction: AnytimeShow ‘Next Slide’ Button: Don't showCompletion Button Label: Next Slide

Barriers to Success

Facilitating the project required:

PROPERTIESAllow user to leave interaction: AnytimeShow ‘Next Slide’ Button: Don't showCompletion Button Label: Next Slide

• a four-minute video that included original audio, music, and art produced by Youth In Transition on the topic of freedom and human rights

• available on a DVD (produced for the students) and Lethbridge College social networking sites (Youtube, Facebook)

• presented on Remembrance Day (2009) at a local school and at the 2010 ATESL con

conference in Edmonton

The Outcome

• working square-by-squareIs there an analogy to language learning?

• looking at ‘large tasks’ in small steps

Reflection

• scratching through their own limits, own perceived limitations

• traversing borders

This learner group is presented with many borders/barriers in their Canadian educational journey.

Student Progress

• on the surface: language learning/improvement

• under the surface: confidence accomplishing larger tasks that seem difficult to complete, including additional language learning

• negative coping strategies transformed into positive approaches to problem-solving

Discussion Freedom is not

worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

—Mahatma Gandhi

Scratchboard created by participants of ‘Scratching Through Borders’ - ATESL Conference, Edmonton, 2010

In Conclusion

“The way we see the problem is the

problem”

- Stephen R. Covey

Scratchboard created by participants of ‘Scratching Through Borders’ - Refresh Conference, Lethbridge College, 2011