The thematic module consists of four units with both practical and theoretical lessons. The units differ in size depending on the content and extent. Under each unit you will find instructions on how to carry out the included lessons and activities, as well as a description of the expected results and outcomes in the form of skills and competencies that the students are expected to develop.
The important context is that each unit is contributing towards thematic learning. The units in the thematic module can theoretically be used on their own. They are related but not dependant on each other. However, at least two units, and preferably more, have to be used to give the desired impact on the students’ learning. Depending on the context and school curriculum the different units can be combined, even from other thematic modules, and they do not have to be used in a specific order. The output of a unit, or even a lesson in a unit, can be used as an input to new thematic activities.
Economical interests versus ethical aspects
The theme of the module was chosen as it demonstrates the effects of globalization, how all countries are influenced and involved somehow in the production and use of arms, in particular landmines. It also focuses on the economical interests behind the continued production of arms and the ethical dimensions in relation to the arms industry and national interests.
Arms industry thematic module contains:
➡ Arms industry and ethics
➡ Landmine Idle Game
➡ Landmines and metal detectors
➡ Dummy landmine detection training
Teachers and collaborators of the thematic module
To create this module a number of teachers from the partner organisations have contributed with lesson design, testing, documentation and evaluation of the activities. The participants involved are teaching a variety of subjects such as: Technology, Physics, Programming, Social science, History, English and Mother tongue. The participants have communicated through the project communication channel, on project meetings and online meetings, to divide tasks and to make sure that the thematic module is of good quality, comprehensive and that it contains units relevant to the theme.
More exact information on participation in the different activities can be found in each unit.
Objectives
The objectives of this thematic module is to sencitise, inform, and engage students in the topic of Arms Industry using units that address:
- international regulations
- how the evolution of technology is impacting the arms industry
- economical incitaments for how landmines are produced, sold and used
- the discrepancy between rich and poor countries, producers and victims
- impact on the environment and on the lives of humans and animals
- ethical and moral issues
- Hands-on knowledge on how to detect mines
Unit structure
The units are planned according to a common concept:
Introduction: the students are sensitised and introduced to the topic of the unit in the context of the theme, for example through background information, a teacher presentation, watching a video, a museum visit, reading a book or an article.
Implementation: the students are given a task, or tasks, connected to the topic of landmines and the arms industry. They are asked to familiarise themselves with relevant materials and sources before they come up with a suggestion on how to solve the task. This is followed by the actual work process to reach the objective of the unit.
Finalisation: the students present a final output for exemple in the form of a poster, pictures or a video, an oral or written presentation, a practical description, or designing and programming a game.
Specific information about each unit, amount of lessons, duration, output et cetera, can be found when you click on the units that you are interested in below.