Learning Path
Politics and Society Learning Path: Sustainability and Coronavirus Learning Path
By PDST
The resources in this learning path could be used as stimuli for students, with the teacher creating tasks around an essential question, or set of questions. Students could be asked to use the resources included to create; a paragraph response, discursive essay response, voice clip of their response, research of further data on this topic or to critically evaluate the sources, amongst other ideas.
Possible NCCA key thinker biographies - Vandana Shiva, Andre Gunder Frank, Sean McDonagh
These key thinkers have contributed to the development of some of the key ideas within this learning path. Teachers may also choose to invite students to make links with other Key Thinkers in the booklet provided in the learning path.
7 resources in this Learning Path
1
Politics and Society Key Thinker Booklet
https://www.scoilnet.ieuploads/resources/32068/31810.pdf Added: 25 Mar 2020 Contributor: PDST Resource type: Reference / ArticleThis booklet contains the NCCA biographies of all the Key thinkers named in the updated Politics and Society specification. This is an updated version of one previously linked from the site.
View full descriptionHow it maps to the curriculum
- SC
- Politics & Society
Suggestions for use: Background reading on the key thinkers for students. Can be assigned as reading alongside a topic or strand to encourage students to make links to the perspectives of the prescribed key thinkers.
2
Forbes article - sustainability and Coronavirus
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishan...-medical-supply-chain/#39ba37c55495 Added: 26 Mar 2020 Contributor: PDST Resource type: Reference / OtherThis is an article about the coronavirus and the light it is shining on sustainability in the global pharma and medical supply chain.
This article can be used as a source to examine evidence in relation to single use plastics and the demand for medical and pharma supplies during the pandemic, leading to a challenge for sustainability.
How it maps to the curriculum
- SC
- Politics & Society
Strand: 8. Sustainable Development
Strand unit: 2. Arguments Concerning Sustainable Dev
Suggestions for use: The resources in this learning path could be used as stimuli for students, with the teacher creating tasks around an essential question, or set of questions. Students could be asked to use the resources included to create; a paragraph response, discursive essay response, voice clip of their response, research of further data on this topic or to critically evaluate the sources, amongst other ideas.
Learning Outcomes:
2.6 8.1 8.2 8.3
Topics:
Sustainable Development; Power and Decision making at National and European Level.
3
Bloomberg Article - plastics and the coronavirus:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...-out-of-favor-then-came-coronavirus Added: 26 Mar 2020 Contributor: PDST Resource type: Reference / OtherThis is an article about the coronavirus and how with health concerns being at the top of consumers’ minds, companies are abandoning eco-conscious policies and re-embracing single-use items.
This article can be used as a source to examine evidence in relation to the use of plastics during the coronavirus and the effect that this is having on sustainability.
How it maps to the curriculum
- SC
- Politics & Society
Strand: 8. Sustainable Development
Strand unit: 1. Actions that Address Sustainable Dev
Suggestions for use: The resources in this learning path could be used as stimuli for students, with the teacher creating tasks around an essential question, or set of questions. Students could be asked to use the resources included to create; a paragraph response, discursive essay response, voice clip of their response, research of further data on this topic or to critically evaluate the sources, amongst other ideas.
Learning Outcomes:
2.6 8.1 8.2 8.3
Topics:
Sustainable Development; Power and Decision making at National and European Level.
4
Coronavirus pandemic leading to huge drop in air pollution
https://www.theguardian.com/environ...ading-to-huge-drop-in-air-pollution Added: 26 Mar 2020 Contributor: PDST Resource type: Reference / OtherThis Guardian article is concerned with the effect which the lower levels of industry and air travel due to the coronavirus has had on air pollution.
This article can be used to explore the pollution levels in affected areas and comparisons with levels prior to the pandemic, as a reflection upon the need for sustainability
How it maps to the curriculum
- SC
- Politics & Society
Strand: 8. Sustainable Development
Strand unit: 1. Actions that Address Sustainable Dev
Suggestions for use: The resources in this learning path could be used as stimuli for students, with the teacher creating tasks around an essential question, or set of questions. Students could be asked to use the resources included to create; a paragraph response, discursive essay response, voice clip of their response, research of further data on this topic or to critically evaluate the sources, amongst other ideas.
Learning Outcomes:
2.6 8.1 8.2 8.3
Topics:
Sustainable Development; Power and Decision making at National and European Level.
5
National Geographic Fake News Article:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/...ke-animal-viral-social-media-posts/ Added: 26 Mar 2020 Contributor: PDST Resource type: Reference / OtherThis is an article by National Geographic about fake stories of wildlife returning to quarantined areas and cities.
This article can be used as a source for students to examine the importance of checking the validity of news stories through an examination of sources and facts.
How it maps to the curriculum
- SC
- Politics & Society
Strand: 2. Power & Decision Making: National/EU
Strand unit: 6. Traditional & New Media in a Democracy
Suggestions for use: These key thinkers have contributed to the development of some of the key ideas within this learning path.
The resources in this learning path could be used as stimuli for students, with the teacher creating tasks around an essential question, or set of questions. Students could be asked to use the resources included to create; a paragraph response, discursive essay response, voice clip of their response, research of further data on this topic or to critically evaluate the sources, amongst other ideas.
Learning Outcomes:
2.6 8.1 8.2 8.3
Topics:
Sustainable Development; Power and Decision making at National and European Level.
6
UN Environment Article: Coronavirus and Sustainability
https://www.unenvironment.org/news-...ess-threats-ecosystems-and-wildlife Added: 26 Mar 2020 Contributor: PDST Resource type: Reference / OtherArticle by the UN Environment agency which links the Coronavirus crisis with underlying threats to ecosystems, wildlife, biodiversity and sustainability.
This article can be used as a source of evidence by students on the challenges of environmental sustainability and the role of a supranational organisation like the UN in facing those challenges.
How it maps to the curriculum
- SC
- Politics & Society
Strand: 8. Sustainable Development
Strand unit: 1. Actions that Address Sustainable Dev
Suggestions for use: The resources in this learning path could be used as stimuli for students, with the teacher creating tasks around an essential question, or set of questions. Students could be asked to use the resources included to create; a paragraph response, discursive essay response, voice clip of their response, research of further data on this topic or to critically evaluate the sources, amongst other ideas.
Learning Outcomes:
2.6 8.1 8.2 8.3
Topics:
Sustainable Development; Power and Decision making at National and European Level.
7
An Integrated Approach to Learning, Teaching and Assessment
https://www.scoilnet.ieuploads/resources/29422/29158.pdf Added: 08 Apr 2019 Contributor: PDST Resource type: Reference / ActivityThe following PDST booklet 'An Integrated Approach to Learning, Teaching and Assessment' aids teachers in considering what methodologies could be used in class to support the inquiry process.
View full descriptionHow it maps to the curriculum
- SC
- Agriculture Science
Strand: Teaching and Learning
Strand unit: Pedagogy
Suggestions for use: Placemat: (Page 73)
Placemat can be used to encourage students to share ideas and reach a consensus about a topic or goal. It can be used to activate prior knowledge of a topic among students. It can help students share problem solving techniques, take group notes during a video/oral presentation, to summerise learning after the class or to begin an opening review of a subsequent lesson.
Anticipation Exercise: (Page 35/36)
The anticipation exercise could be utilised to assess students prior knowledge of a topic. This will give the teacher a picture of the students’ awareness of the concepts involved. However it could also be used as an assessment tool after the learning to see if the students have understood the concepts which they were presented with.
Think-Pair-Square-Share (Page 71)
The think-pair-square-share methodology can be used throughout the inquiry process to enable reflection and discussion among the pupils on the stage of the inquiry or the economic knowledge being explored.
