Summary+of+Article+-+Learning+by+Doing+Democracy

=Summary of the Article "Learn by Doing Democracy".=

Effectiviness of Student Representative Councils in Civics and Citizenship Education
There is a huge difference between "learning about democracy" and "learning to do democracy". When learning about concepts of Civics and Citizenship Education, it is important that students have a **participatory approach.** This will give them deep levels of thinking and application and practice beyond the classroom which involve taking action and reflecting on the learning. There are many ways to implement a participatory approach within classrooms and schools - one way is the student's development of active representative structures such as **Student Representative Councils** (SRCs).

· Directly represented within school's decision-making structures · Are regularly consulted about educational issues ( ie new curriculum, student welfare, pedagogy) · Seriously research and represent student view · Are given time and respect to carry out their roles
 * When SRCs operate well:** They provide powerful opportunities for students to participate in decisions and action around their learning and school structures, policies and approached. They also enable students to have "safe practice" in democratic processes.
 * Achievements of SCRs:**

**When SRCs __don't__ operate well:** They are limited and constrained by attitudes of students and staff, by time and imagination. They make token decisions, involve few students, have little connection with curriculum and can be ignored in the school decision-making processes. They spend more time talking about fund-raising and socials that curriculum., learning, rights and changes. · Lack of students and teacher support, attendance and input. · Divisions between students on issues and poor knowledge on how to resolve them. · Rejection of student initiatives by School Councils and staff · Poor meeting procedures · Lack of action outcomes
 * Difficulties of SRCs:**

· to strengthen SRCs · to be a representative boy for Victorian secondary schools students · to facilitate and coordinate action by secondary students at all levels · to be democratic and participatory Further information will be on the VicSRC website (www.yacvic.org.au/vicsrc)
 * VicSRC - The Victorian Student Representative Council:** is an organisation that goes beyond school based SRCs and has set up an on-going state-wide network of students and their SRCs. The VicSRC exists of provide communication and link between SRCs to inspire and support students, to encourage teachers and to enable students to "do democracy" within schools, within local areas and at state level. The VicSRC's intention is:

· It provides a purpose for learning about democracy. Opportunity to integrate learning about Civics and Citizenship with practical experience in democracy. They play an important role in strengthening the operation of democracy within schools and local areas. · It links the experience and learning of students in classrooms to their school organisations (SRCs) and then beyond. Supplies Civics and Citizenship classes with opportunities to study and critiques student-led structures and enables discussion about the nature and work of representatives - linking both to classroom elections, but also reporting back and gaining input. · Provide an avenue for some students to extend their direct experience of democracy through participation. Provides all students in the class and school with opportunities for direct involvement both as individuals and as a class group.
 * How school SRCs and state-wide structures such as VicSRC aid the learning of Social Education and Civics and Citizenship:**


 * The school SRC (and state-wide structures such as VicSRC) need to be seen as part of the integrated Social Education curriculum of the school:** They need to be part of the learning that "begins with students prior knowledge and experiences and moves through a deliberate process wherein knowledge, understandings, values and skills are extended, challenged and refined".

· How do you see the SRC as part of the school curriculum - rather than it being extra-curricular or co-curricular? · How do you link student's experience with the lived democracy of SRC to what you are teaching them? · How do you support students to experience better democracy, to reflect on it, and to learn lessons that apply both inside and outside the school? · How do students in you school do democracy - and how can SRCs and the VicSRC enable us tall to do that better?
 * Challengers for all Teachers:**