HSIE

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE HSIE DEPARTMENT - A FOCUS ON YEAR 8

The age of technology is changing the way we deliver our work. Our students can assess their class work from anywhere at any time as their work is online. We use Moodle to present the work and we can see from the picture below how the students see it on their devices. This picture shows us the splash or landing page, which is where the topics that we study are stored. Only the work we are currently studying is made available to students so as not to confuse things.

After entering the splash page students then click on the topic we are studying and they will see a list of activities for that particular unit. The current unit we are studying is Global Change.

The activities listed give a clear description of what students will learn. For example; the first activity is introducing globalisation through a clever video and class discussion. Each activity could take 15 minutes or 3 lessons depending on what it is required of the students. This approach allows students who finish work to move on. It also allows for the work to be modified to cater for those who are struggling.

Taking a look at the latest assignment Year 8 have completed. Students were given the task of being a CEO of a large fictitious Multi-National Corporation, as the CEO they were required to explain how they were going to be more Corporate Socially Responsible. (CSR) Based on the work I have seen these students understand very well the concept of CSR and how large corporations could create projects to help those less fortunate.

Here are four student samples:

Project Learn by Zara McPherson 

Zara came up with the idea for Nestle to donate funds from the sales of their products to build 40 new school in 20 different countries. This project will help 40 000 children attend school.

Alexander Ingram became CEO Fender Guitars, she changed the companies philosophy and all guitars are now made from recycled wood. Wow think about how old your guitar could be! As CEO Alexandra also wanted to share the music and her company is going to dontate 5% of the profits into the Education4All project which will use the money to build music rooms and provide equipment. What a great idea to share her companies love of music with those less fortunate.

Brianna Smith as the CEO of Santa Cruz is donating money from skateboard sales and clothing to help communities in poor nations to have access to fresh clean water.  Australia is blessed with these facilities, Santa Cruz decided to donate money and resources to help poor communities gain access to fresh water and change lives.

Emily Simpson has taken a different approach to the task and has done a wonderful job. She has presented herself as a news reporter on Global 555 news and has interviewed the CEO of Mariella. The plan - To provide shoes, sock, shirts, trousers and hats to poor people.

The outcome - To give ordinary people extraordinary opportunities. The task was well presented and very informative. Emily even had messages for breaking news flashing across the screen.

This task was about helping students to realise that large corporations make a lot of money and that as a company they need to be aware of how they can become more responsible in helping communities that are less fortunate.

Mr Rod Buik

HSIE KLA Leader