Using Kenyan television drama to challenge perspectives on development in UK schools

Kate Lloyd-Morgan, MediaeHelen Garforth, Just Ideas

Liesbeth de Block, Institute of Education

DOUBLE MATATASeries 4, Episode 7

The Makutano Junction project

• Uses the soap opera as a catalyst for global learning in secondary schools in England:

– Reflect on development issues within the Makutano Junction programmes

– Challenge perceptions of Kenya

– Make links between life in Kenya and the UK

How does it work?• Delivered in partnership with the Development

Education Centre (DEC) network in England

• Piloted in 25 schools in the South West, then delivered in 50 across the North and North East

• Using online resources to support teachers and engage students

• Now being delivered in schools in 50 more schools (North West; South East)

www.makutanojunction.org.uk

• A comprehensive, interactive set of resources for teachers on issues as diverse as stereotyping through to the global implications of HIV/AIDs

“Met a 6th former in Wooler last week who had a text message from her friend telling her to get back to school to see the Kenyan soap showing in the dining room!”

Jill Finch, working with schools in Northumberland

Running with it!Ingleton School, supported by South Craven DEC

Impact: Measuring attitudinal change

Makutano Junction baseline assessment: images of Africa activity

Responses to the question: ‘What do you think the Millennium Development Goals are?’

18%

24%

58%

10%

8%

82%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

An international commitment to tackleclimate change.

A united nations target to stop conflict.

A pledge by governments around theworld to reduce poverty by half, by

2015.

Not done any MJ activities Completed 'MDGs and me' activity

Pupil’s views on the biggest killer in Africa

2%

5%

28%

25%

40%

2%

3%

8%

40%

47%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Wild animals

Fighting

Starvation

Malaria

HIV/AIDS

Not done any MJ activities Done any MJ activities

Pupils level of personal engagement with poverty

10%

39%

51%

6%

28%

67%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Poverty is not myproblem.

I do care about poorpeople but there isnothing I can do.

There are things Ican do to helptackle poverty.

Not done any MJ activities Done any MJ activities

Questions for conference:

• Looking at the cases of Makutano Junction and the Know Zone, to what extent is research and the processes of adapting material for use in different contexts replicable?

• Again in the cases of Makutano and the Know Zone, to what extent should learning be guided towards specific learning outcomes or left open with an emphasis on process?

Thank you

Any comments or suggestions welcome:

mediae@aol.comhelen@just-ideas.co.uk

L.DeBlock@ioe.ac.uk