Involving students in the process of making IGC awards

[Boyd Roberts]

 

As mentioned in Information for Centres “participants should be involved in the final award process deciding who among their fellow participants has engaged seriously with the programme and shown development during it.”

This is for at least two reasons:

1. The Award is an exercise in global citizenship and active participation, and participants should therefore be involved in this stage of the Award programme, and with as many other aspects of the operations of the programme as possible.

2. Students tend to be fair, and like to see fair decisions and outcomes.

The extent of this involvement will vary, partly because of the age of participants. Any involvement should be real and genuine, and not tokenism.

Ways in which participants can be involved include:

•             Providing or confirming evidence of activities undertaken (a) fellow participant(s) outside the school

•             In peer reflections, when the participant discusses with a fellow participant their development as a global citizen during their involvement with the programme (This can be usefully done throughout the programme and not just at the end)

•             By including fellow participants in a panel reviewing the participation of a participant. The following extract from Information for Centres may be helpful

“As the programme is concerned with development and changes, it seems very appropriate to include a conversation, presentation or interview as part of the final award process. (Banksia Park International High School, Australia has found this very productive in its Global Citizen’s Medal programme). During this, the participant can outline the most significant or interesting ways in which (s)he has changed or developed during the programme. This could, very appropriately, be to a panel which includes (some) fellow participants (and in due course perhaps some former participants) as well as the programme coordinator and perhaps other adults who are interested or involved. This session would be intended to affirm and celebrate completion of the programme, rather than being a feat of endurance!”

Wherever possible, participants should be involved in a supportive and positive way, rather than to provide evidence that peers should not get the Award!

Do share any good ways you have found to involve students in the Award process.