TASKs for democracy

Step 5 (trainer’s evaluation of the session)
Many trainers/teachers feel that the best way in which they can record participants’ progress in this exercise is
to make notes during or right after the end of the session. These could be done quite quickly while activities
are still fresh in the mind. Useful headings under which such notes could be recorded include the following:
participants’ comments: what they revealed about conceptual development, curiosity, general interest,
or empathy towards the material introduced during the presentation of the boxes
participants’ statements: a record of statements providing insights into ways of thinking
creative/imaginative work: notes on how the participants can contribute imaginative, creative ideas
to discussions
levels of reasoning: the ability to reason about the roots or the influence of the objects on personal life
evidence of conceptual development: the ability to think of their objects as symbols of or metaphors
for concepts
records of any outstanding responses to a particular stimulus: it is important to note these responses
as starting points to reflect in depth about circumstances or topics which some participants find
exciting and meaningful
PLANNING
Preparation
You may want to create a sample box with your own selected objects to provide an example at the start or
during the exhibit.
You will need a classroom with tables and one or two desks in front of the blackboard. The participants can
come to the front of the class or tell their story from where they are sitting if the tables are arranged in a circle
or U-shape.
You need to have enough copies of the worksheets and a chart to record your comments and reflections.
Resources and equipment
Participants need shoeboxes to be filled with their selected objects and A3 or A2 size paper to create posters.
Tips and potential difficulties
1. If you have more than 10 participants in your group, then it is advisable to do this activity over two or
more consecutive sessions.
2. It is valuable if the teacher/trainer can take some digital pictures of the boxes (in the presence of the
owner). These pictures can be useful for the final exhibition, and can also be part of a subsequent introduction
to this activity with a new group.
3. During the session it is useful for the trainer to take notes in order to keep track of the comments and
reflections of the participants.
4. During the presentations the teacher/trainer may want to use some of these questions to facilitate the
activity.
Have you ever lost this object? Are you afraid of losing it?
What does it mean to you? A souvenir or a present? Or something else?
What value does it have for you?
Do you keep it in a secret place or hidden somewhere?
Do you show it to everyone?
Where is it situated in your room or house?
Is it unique and irreplaceable for you?
Is it conceivable that you will give it to someone else?
Activity 43 – A shoebox full of memories Page 237