VIDEO PRESENTATION

As we had video presentation task for the lesson of Thomas and Peter, we had to go to a school and make observation related to democracy, culture and citizenship in Danish schools. But our group was the unluckiest one as we had to go Kastrup School which is almost out of Vordingborg. While coming from there, we didn’t wait for the bus to come as later service of it was one our later. Then we decided to walk. I can not tell how cold the weather was . Because of freezing wind we had to walk turning our back against wind which looked very funny and tragic. We even made running contest in order not to frost . It was also useless. We tried to stop the cars but no one cared us and went on . If we had died there nobody would have concerned about  us. It was so annoying. Anyway after coming our dormitory ,all of us became ill naturally. It was the bad side of video task. But the good thing is that we have learnt much about democracy. We could observe just one class which was second grade .Students could not speak English which made our communication very difficult with them. For democracy ,as we know, schools should be democratically elected decision made by students, teachers, headmaster and parents. So l can say that the school that we went is the democratic one . Because everyone are actively involved in creating and maintaining individual freedom unlike traditional classroom, teacher isn’t only one  who leads to students. Students also can reflect their opinions.

While we were making interview with class teacher, she said that she generally determined the subject but students chose how to learn it.  Of course, they have right also to make decisions about what to learn and how to learnt it. But in Turkey we aren’t allowed to reflect our opinions about what to and how to learn. She asks them whether they want to learn in groups, in pairs or with the help of PowerPoint. She even asks the place they want to learn whether in classroom , in library, or in garden. In fact most things they do in classroom have democratic colors. As teacher told that every year  two members in each class were chosen for the consul .While choosing them they make election in class which shows election is made in totally authentic democratic environment. Students who are chosen reflect opinions to headmaster and in important meetings. Of course it would be much simplier to have two students decide for all. Class teacher also mention about that when there was an election in Denmark ,they talked to children, normally parents took their children to the election places and showed them  what they were doing there and why they were doing it. Two students in second grade where we made our observation, are also chosen for school counsel .However, they aren’t capable of leading a discussion or summing something up, but at least they are given a voice in consul. There weren’t many immigrants in that school so teacher didn’t have to mention about other cultures so much. She basically mentions about traditions. They discuss why they have traditions most of which is Christianity. And generally discuss why  they still do it  and why it is important. Although there are many things to tell ,these are some short observations of mine . Shortly l can say that everybody has  a voice in the school for  teaching and learning which l liked so much. I think democracy works well in Danish schools….