Raising+Self-Esteem+and+Confidence

It is said that students with learning difficulties, particularly those that struggle with literacy and comprehension, will develop a greater understanding of what they are trying to learn if they doing something that is relevant to themselves and is a topic of interest (Foreman, 2008). The I-imagine project is a wonderful resource that "calls all educators to illuminate every student's sense of identity and purpose through exploring, mining understanding and finally imagining a story 20 years from now living their BEST future. I-imagine: Taking MY Place in the World is a personal, scrapbooking journey grounded in new research showing significant gains that come from inspiring hope, joy and action in learners. Students are guided to discover and activate life-goals for shining their light in the world for good - living in the truth that their lives and talents matter to the world. A finale multimedia, vision video culminates a well-crafted, docudrama narrative storytelling AS IF their future life is NOW ending with advice to their younger self." (//I-imagine Project//). I believe that this resource could be particularly useful at arousing self-esteem and confidence in students with learning difficulties in the lower grades of secondary school. Beginning high-school is a very daunting experience, particularly if you have a type of learning difficulty. This resource allows students to invision what their lives will be like in 10, 15, 20 years time and put a dream or goal in their minds. I-imagine is a building block for finding out what ALL students believe are their strengths, learning difficulties or not. This activity is suitable for students with all types of learning difficulties as it includes imagery, sound, use of computers and can incorporate the use of peer-tutoring by other students in the classroom. As it is specific to each student it is of great interest and becomes their own project and masterpiece!

For further information on the I-imagine resource: []

References:

Foreman, P. (Ed.). (2008). //Inclusion In Action: Second Edition//. Australia: Cengage Learning. //I-imagine Project//, (n.d.), retrieved July 6, 2011, from [].