Something generally happens mapping young people's experiences of Constitution Hill

[摘要] South African heritage sites are places that have the potential to support curriculum learningoutcomes, and visits to heritage sites are sometimes included in the school timetable.Learning in museums is difficult to quantify, but it has been suggested that 'somethinggenerally [does] happen” during visits to cultural sites (Hooper-Greenhill 2007:47). The focusof this research report is Constitution Hill, which is a prominent feature in the heritagelandscape of Johannesburg that focuses on the atrocities, and the injustices of the past, whilestrengthening understanding of democracy and human rights. This research report evaluatesthe experiences of learners from the Further Education and Training (FET) Phase visitingConstitution Hill and participating in the Saturday Workshops run by Constitution HillEducation Project and attempts to identify what is the 'something’ that 'generally happens’.The data was obtained through semi-structured, open-ended interviews with learners,educators and programme co-ordinators. The data was analysed using the Generic LearningOutcomes Model, an evaluation tool developed in the United Kingdom. The research reportproposes, despite the best efforts of schools and educators, many learners, regardless of socioeconomic background, struggle with making connections between South African history andtheir own daily realities and that this may influence the value they place on their democraticrights. However, the dynamic interaction with Constitution Hill, provided by the ConstitutionHill Education Project, resulted in shifts in attitudes and perspectives suggesting that the'something’ that happens is positive and potentially far reaching. This research report alsoreflects on the interpretive strategies that characterise the engagement at Constitution Hill.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand