Teams will present the findings of their research to a range of
organisations, institutions and community groups. Since
investigation in this field may well turn up some original research
findings in this burgeoning field, local and national media
(newspapers, radio and television) could well show an interest if
the quality and originality if the research warrants it. What an
incentive for learners involved.
The lessons study (through pupil-based research) Glasgow's links
with the Atlantic slave trade, using the historical context of the
economy of 18th century Glasgow and its merchant class. Evidence of
direct trade centred upon the River Clyde has never been
established. But did Glasgow merchants (and thereby Glasgow itself)
profit from involvement in the slave trade and if so, how?
Glasgow's involvement in the slave trade is not a theme that has
been investigated to any great degree. The assumption has been that
the British trade in slaves centred upon the great English ports of
Liverpool and Bristol. Recent research, however, (cf. Black History
Vol.1 issue1 Autumn 2007) has pointed to a greater involvement in
the trade by Glasgow merchants than has hitherto been identified.
Learners will be working at the cutting edge of research using the
whole range of ICT facilities available to them in a proactive
fashion and, with relevant teacher guidance, may uncover links that
have remained hidden for the best part of three hundred years.
Their findings would make for a feature of great interest both in
the local and national community at a time of a flourishing of
black history studies and publications. A craft project to
highlight the issues on the 'Middle Passage' when tribesmen from
West Africa were transported on slave ships across the Atlantic to
sugar and tobacco plantations in the West Indies and the southern
colonies of America will be carried out on a cross curricular
theme.
Broad Outcomes of learning
- Subject knowledge gained and enhanced
- Development of work skills - time management, ICT skills and
ability to frame research projects in a hitherto largely untouched
area of enquiry
- Enhanced enterprising skills and attitudes (CfE) through
working on research project in a team - gathering, collating and
presenting information on results
- Learners able to evaluate individual and team work as they
progressed through self- and peer- assessment (AifL)
- Confidence of working independently from teacher-led
lessons
- Pupils assumed responsibility for their own learning through
framing opportunities/avenues for research
Relevance to curriculum
- Permeates various curricular areas - Environmental Studies,
PSD, Citizenship, Language, ICT, Art and Enterprise Education
(employability skills)
- Purposeful use of communication skills, sense of ownership and
responsibility, ICT skills, and written language skills in a true
to life context