In our first workshop last week we had the task of working in groups to create something a new student at the university could use. Each group was given an envelope of supplies and after opening our envelope we discovered it was going to be more difficult than originally expected; we had one post-it note, a few paper clips, a rubber band and a piece of Blu-Tack.

After a short time we began to notice that all the other groups had more resources to work with; one group even had scissors, tape and multiple pieces of paper. This caused our group to feel slight resentment towards this other group as we realised we were not as fortunate as them and at a great disadvantage. Despite our limited resources we tried our best and made a map of the campus with the key places highlighted clearly.

The other group, on the other hand, created a box of stationary for new pupils, complete with pens, scissors, tape and a colourful design to finish. After seeing our pathetic attempt it was clear that they were unimpressed with our map and who could blame them? Lina Waghorn then asked that group if they had noticed how little we had to begin with and they said that they had been so focused on their project that they had assumed we had all been given the same materials.

Lina then explained that this was not a task for fun but instead to teach us an important lesson on values. The advantaged within our society do not realise how much they have as they are so self-consumed and assume that everyone else is as fortunate as they are, however the disadvantaged realise how little they have and “make do”. Therefore as teachers we need to remember that some children will come from more affluent families than others and therefore it is important to not assume, for example, that every child has a computer or access to one in order to give all children a fair chance in their education.

My thoughts?

This was an eye-opening way to show the inequalities that exist in our society today and a workshop I will never forget.