The Three Rs of engagement - Action sites at the heart of Relate, Reflect, Research

[Boyd Roberts]

November 2010

I was writing something recently about the role of community engagement in international education.  Thinking about the way in which the IGC Award operates, and how participants are expected to find out information about issues, consider any appropriate action, and reflect at all stages, I came up with the following model. It seems to sum up the processes that should underpin action we take in our everyday lives that relates to our development as global citizens.

 

On this model, which we could call the 3Rs, action sits at the heart of interconnected learning processes.  Action is underpinned by research (or enquiry), connected to existing knowledge, and results from reflection. It also adds to knowledge and, through reflection, is related to existing opinions, helping to shape values and attitudes.

Do let me have any comments.

Considering models that are relevant to educating global citizens, the well known “3 Whats” model - can be helpful.  This is a linear sequence of questions we ask as we approach an issue or topic.

What? At this first stage, questions are concerned with awareness, information and knowledge

So what? The second stage prompts students to reflect on the significance of this knowledge to their attitudes and values.

Now what? The third stage is challenging. What are we going to do about what we have found out? This leads into possible action.