The depth of distance (21 Oct. ‘08)
The depth of distance:
The concept of distance in Geography
We measure distance in many ways. We also experience distance in a myriad ways. How “deep” is the concept of distance in Geography? Students of Adarsh English Medium High School, Kuppam (AP) found out on a rainy day.
- Date: 21 October 2008
- Venue: Agastya International Foundation (AIF), Kuppam (AP).
- Participants: Students of 9th standard, Adarsh English Medium High School, Kuppam (43 students + their Social Studies teacher)
- Language: The workshop was conducted in English. Almost all participants understood English quite well. Translation was provided as needed by teachers present and by students to each other.
Abstract:
Distance is not as simple as it may seem! From spirituality to joy and fear, from travel to tyranny, from commerce to culture … distance is a powerful concept in Geography. In this interactive workshop, students saw distance in many different ways. They also experienced it differently. Their space will never appear the same to them again. What is it about distance that makes it such an important concept in Geography, geometry, … in LIFE?
Background:
Geography syllabi suffer from lack of imagination and connection to students’ lives. Connecting Geography to lived experience is the only way Geography will stimulate curiosity and innovative thinking among students. Further, connecting all subjects – i.e., inter-disciplinary learning – is the only way students will develop holistic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Such holism also makes for greater enjoyment of both the lived and the learning experiences of students. If properly provided and nurtured, this will remove the artificial separation between the “lived” and “learning” experiences.
The Indian Institute of Geographical Studies (TIIGS) was established to further these goals by reaching out to students, teachers, parents, and others and empowering them to develop spatial thinking, analytical, and application skills. To achieve these goals, TIIGS works with different institutions (e.g.: schools, NGOs, PTAs) who have access to these audiences.
Agastya International Foundation (AIF) being one such organization, TIIGS has collaborated with them (for the second time; read a report on the first collaboration) in conducting workshops that both promote and develop geographical and inter-disciplinary learning – the standard practice with TIIGS workshops.
“The depth of distance” took one concept of Geography, namely distance, and got students to explore it from two perspectives: (a) mensuration and (b) experience.
Objectives:
- Measuring linear distance from the workshop room to some point on the Agastya International Foundation (AIF) campus,
- Understanding how that distance is experienced.
Precis:
In this highly interactive workshop, students were given an introduction to the subject of Geography and its concerns. The concept of distance was first explored through geometry. Then, distance was examined in Geography. Measurement of distance and the experience of distance in Geography were discussed. Then, connections were made between Geography and other subjects using distance as a geographic concept. In the subsequent field activities, students explored both measurement of distance (in standard and non-standard methods) and its experience through different kinds of difficulties imposed on them. They were active, enthusiastic, learned a lot, and enjoyed the experience! Listen to what they had to say…
Student feedback:
- The things which are done are interesting. If you do give us other interesting things, it may be useful to us to understand better. (G. Chaitanya Sai)
- Very interset, very exiting, I want to tattend again and again. I think it’s better also to conduct other workshops. Chandran sir gave very good eassay on Geography. (K. Praveen Kumar)
- Do this type of projects and teachings very frequently especially to students. (K. Santhosh)
- I think this trip helped me a lot. It’s not only an educational trip but deals with social service. I would be happy if you conducted several trips like this one. (N. Rohith)
- Yes it was good to conduct these types of workshops because the students would understand this. I would like to participate more and more projects or classes in this foundation. (M.P. Sujith)
- I fill it very happy I visit to hear again. (C. Divya)
- By this workshop activities are very useful to the school children this moments were very important to recall the activities which were done in this workshop. And are important in our daily life activities. I will also try to do this like of activities. (D. Sai Chaithanya)
- I have understood very nicely and I hope to come again to this and the processor of explaining and telling douts is very attractive. (B. Syed Salman)
- I am feel very happy because I am learned many more important of the geography projects I am live it was of them enjoyed very much as I am was understanding all the things. (K. Surekha)
- I am thinking that this gives a lot of information to the students. (G. Jyothsna)
- By this activities I can understand about the distance. And the problems in distance. (S. Nikhil Kumar)
(Thanks to Dr. L. Ramakrishnan for guidance on data analysis)
Some of the maps drawn by the students. [forthcoming]
Here are glimpses of the two workshops …
(Put it on PAUSE as soon as it begins. Let it buffer. When the buffer bar is full, then press play. Remember to turn the sound on)