Reporting From the Field: Humanitarians Serving Abroad

Lesson Overview

After reading the article “Helping Heroes”, students compare and contrast conditions in Canada to the home countries of the ‘heroes’. They research one of the individuals, and a country they worked in, focusing on the role of a humanitarianism. The culminating activity if a student-created interview/podcast.

Time Required

2-3 lessons

Historical Thinking Concept(s)

• Use primary source evidence
• Identify continuity and change
• Analyze cause and consequence

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Identify international development.
• Conduct independent research about a humanitarian and a developing nation.
• Compare and contrast a developing nation to a developed nation (Canada).
• Write and record a podcast interview.

Background Information

The February/March 2012 issue of Canada’s History is all about international development and Canada’s history of helping people in developing nations. The article “Helping Heroes” profiles a few Canadians who have worked in developing countries and made an impact on the people and communities they served. By researching one of these individuals, and a country they worked in, students will gain a better understanding of the role of a humanitarian and the conditions that exist in developing nations.

The Lesson Activity:

Activating: How will students be prepared for learning?

• As a class, read “Helping Heroes.” Make a list of the different ways the people in the article helped other people. Also note the different countries that were mentioned and the different circumstances under which they needed help (war, oppression, etc.).
• Break students into pairs and have them choose one of the individuals to research further. Students should also research one country that their individual helped.
• Have students note the conditions of the country they are researching by comparing it to Canada. Information to gather could include climate, population, main industries, life expectancy, or average income. (The Developing World Map is a great resource for comparing countries).

Acquiring: What strategies facilitate learning for groups and individuals?

• Using their research, students should write an interview to be recorded as a podcast. One student should take on the role of the reporter, while the other student takes on the role of their humanitarian. The interview should take place from the country they chose to research, and report on their work, the people they met, and the conditions they experienced during their visit.

Applying: How will students demonstrate their understanding?

• Have students record their interview as a podcast.

Materials/Resources

• “Helping Heroes” by Joanna Dawson and Beverly Tallon from the February-March 2012 issue of Canada’s History magazine
• Internet access
• A microphone for your computer
• Audio-recording software, like Audacity

References

• A Developing World Map, created in partnership between Canadian Geographic and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA): http://www.canadiangeographic.com/educational_products/products_cida_maps.asp
• A Developing Word/Canadian Geographic: https://worldmap.canadiangeographic.ca
• CBC Digital Archives: http://www.cbc.ca/archives
• Google News (Archive): https://news.google.ca
• Podcasting Resources from the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation

Extension Activity

Include multiple perspectives in the interviews – have students write and record interviews with residents of a developing nation, government leaders, or members of the media.