1. Some thoughts on teaching childrens rights Nóirín Hayes School of Social Sciences and Law, Dublin Institute of Technology, Centre for Social and Educational Research noirin.hayes@dit.ie

2. Some underlying principles Autonomy of the learner Students creating their understandings of rights Role of students objective reality Accessing prior knowledge and positions Teaching to assist students to critically examine unconscious beliefs With thanks to F. Tibbitts at:- http://www.tc.edu/centers/epe/PDF%20articles/Tibbitts_ch12_22feb08.pdf

3. Principles continued Rights should not be learned as a body of esoteric knowledge to be learned from experts. The active engagement of the students is key Shift in pedagogy from the didactic teaching of a defined body of technical/scientific knowledge to be retained towards - - A pedagogy that unlocks the students own knowledge and assists them in creating their own ideas about rights.

4. Principles in practice Experiential and activity-centered Problem posing Participative Dialectic Analytical Healing Strategic thinking oriented Goal and action oriented

5. Transforming Pedagogy Rights education should be personally transforming –Interactive –Learner-centered –At HE both student and teacher are learners Transformation from an authoritarian, paternalistic and discriminating approach to children and their rights

6. One Approach – ADIDS method Activity Discussion Input/lecture Deepening Synthesis ********** Blended learning

7. Thank You noirin.hayes@dit.ie