My first workshop I took part in from my Values: Self, Society and The Professions module, with my classmates and lecturer, was on structural inequalities. The workshop was done in a very clever way.
We all were split into groups with approximately 6 people in each group. We were given an envelope with certain resources in each pack. Our task, as a group, was to create a new product which would help a new students at Dundee University. Each group had different resources, some groups had more of a variety of materials whereas other groups were very limited to what they could make due to lack of materials. At the end of the session we would have to do a two minute presentation on out new product.
We all tried our best with what we had and all created a product. When creating our product the lecturer did not interact with my group at all but would be commenting on other groups ideas as ‘fantastic’. The groups with more resources were the groups he would give very positive feedback whereas the group I was In had less resources and he was very negative towards my group. It came to presenting the presentation and again he emphasised the same feelings to each group by ignoring our presentation but engaging with the other groups and making comments. The lecturer explained that he was just acting and that he was emphasising the structural inequalities.
This opened my mind as it was very enticing way to put the point across about inequality. It emphasised more to me that every child should be treated the same no matter what situation that child is in. You should not jump to conclusions as you do not know the circumstances that the child is in.
I am glad I was in the group which was treated more negatively than others as it made me realise what the child would be feeling if this were to happen to them. I felt so disheartened that we had created a product that we thought was very good considering the lack of resources whereas the other groups felt very good about themselves and were very motivated throughout the task as they were getting praised. It is very important to treat every child the same as this may have a big impact on their learning how well they achieve.
Structural inequalities reflect four areas in Standards for Registration by the General Teaching Council for Scotland. They are Social justice, Integrity, Trust and Respect and Professional Commitment. All children come from different backgrounds, some may be from more deprived areas whereas others may be from wealthy areas. This should not matter and every child should get the same learning experience no matter what. All professions should work together and communicate to give the child the best possible experience at school, to make them feel safe.
