Sustainable Development – Learning Log: Interdependence

Interdependence is “the way two or more living things depend on each other to grow and remain healthy.” Early human cultures, such as; Native Americans, Aboriginals and Maoris, comprehended their dependence on their own surroundings for vital supplies and appreciated that fact. However, now there are three main components that are included in interdependence:

• Economic – Global market and trading, multinational/global financial institutions, multinational financial regulation.
• Social – Cultural integration, media, advertising, worldwide demand for market access, global/multinational.
• Environmental – Need to look beyond local impact, increasingly apparent that species has a function to fulfil in sustaining web of life, slight changes in an interconnected system can mean great fluctuations in other parts.

(Sustainable Development, 2018)

Along with the interdependence lecture, we also got to visit two farms, a small, organic farm and a large, technologically advanced farm. It was interesting to visit both places and see the massive difference in size, number of livestock and work. Each of the farmers that ran the farms gave us a detailed insight into their background, how they manage the farm, their workload and what they do with the cattle they have there. I found this visit very useful and educational as it is a first hand look at what it is really like working in the agricultural business and how cattle farms are ran. This excursion would be excellent for primary aged children as they can see animals up close and actively engage in their learning. A school trip to local places, like these farms, makes learning for the children so much more interesting which will intrigue them, and it is a lot different to sitting behind a desk with pen and paper.

As a directed study task, we went into groups and each took a document about “Sustainable Seas”. The document I had was the endangered species list. According to the IUCN Red List just under 30,000 of the world’s species are at risk of being endangered. “31% of sharks and rays, 33% of reefs and corals and 27% of selected crustaceans are threated with extinction” (The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species). Through this directed study task, I found out a lot about the variety of species and habitats that are in danger of becoming extinct. This allows us to have a wider knowledge and understanding of our surroundings and problems that are happening so close to home.

Both generic skills and skills related to primary teaching were developed through the theme of interdependence. With the Graduate Attributes tables, being ethically – minded and culturally aware was developed, along with socially responsible, ambitious and driven. These skills are important because these were the skills and qualities the farmers had when we visited their own farms. They must be very aware of their surroundings and their business. If things do not go as well as they had planned, they must continue to be driven and ambitious to get the outcomes they strive for and need to keep their farms and businesses progressing. As we learnt more about the topic of interdependence and all the different aspects of the theme, we have seen it from a different perspective and all these skills have been considered. To be successful, in any area of work, you must be ambitious, driven and culturally aware at the very least. I feel that these skills have a lot of relevance to my life experience so far and everything new I am starting. These skills are fundamental and will be advantageous to anyone who has done well and who wants to do even better in their life. Interdependence is a diverse topic and the generic skills and qualities developed have aided the learning of this theme.

Additionally, skills that are relevant to primary teaching are found in the General Teaching Council Standards. Professionalism, communication and effective co operative working. These skills are important to have for a future primary teacher. I feel the most important could be communication. This is because everything is based off communication. Delivery of learning to pupils, conversations between staff and parents and the ability to listen when children have their own problems, questions and concerns. Already through placement and school experience we have developed these skills and are vital in any area of learning. To be a good role model to children and perhaps other teachers, professionalism is a must. Pupils should have someone to look up to and feel confident that they can come to you if they are ever having any problems. This is where communication can come in as well as children may need someone to listen to them and reassure them that they will always have support. Overall, interdependence has provided both generic and primary teaching skills, which are essential for a successful career in the future

 

                 

 

 

These pictures were from out farm visits. The one on the left is from the organic farm, showing cows out roaming a field whereas the second shows the larger, technologically advanced farm which shows a bigger number of cattle inside in pens. These visits can be very useful and educational for children and will make their learning more fun and interesting.

Another resource would be a book called “Sharing a Shell”. This book is based on symbiosis, which is a specific relationship between members of two different species that has evolved over hundreds of years of evolution. This book could help children understand the meaning of interdependence and see it from another perspective and not farms and cattle.

From an autobiographical perspective, the information provided on interdependence, the visits to the farm and the independent study task we did on the sea, has broadened my knowledge on the theme as I did not have much interest in this topic. It is important information and knowledge to have in general and to teach children of any age.

From a child’s perspective, relating the information to things children will enjoy learning about, such as farms, animals and different things like fruit and vegetables, might encourage them to take their learning further and find out more about the topic. However, the knowledge they will gain is important for children to know as they get older.

In terms of peers and colleagues, it will be important to share your own information and thoughts on the topic as you will be able to help each other. Someone might have more experience on the theme which will be helpful in your own teaching and can make the learning for children better to experience.

 

References

Sustainable Development (2018) Interdependence [Module Resource] [Accessed: 19 October 2018]

The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species (2018) [Online] https://www.iucnredlist.org/ [Accessed: 20 October 2018]