DESIGNING DIGITAL CURRICULUM FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY

Shelanna Sturgess

GoogleCertifiedInnovator&Trainer HeadofNewBusiness,CanopyEducation @sksturgess

In a world of rising inequality, the thought of my students' struggles keeps me up at night. Their daily hunt for bus money and bread, the challenges they face in a historically unequal education system it all weighs heavily on me As a teacher in postapartheid South Africa, I witness the pain carried by these beautiful young women who courageously share what it feels like to communicate solely in English, to set aside their African culture and heritage in order to assimilate into a Western-dominant education system It's a burden they shouldn't have to bear, and I am determined to make a change. My lessons must extend beyond mere tests and assessment scores; they must be real, transformative, and empower my students to create immediate change in their lives and their communities

I wanted to attempt this through a creative arts curriculum that reminded my students that they were valued Coursework needed to celebrate their voice and show them the power of Africa on a global stage. I began researching current African fashion designers and created an entrepreneurial course that taught students how to build an online fashion business. Alongside traditional arts curriculum content celebrating colour, line, and pattern, we looked at Africanacity and how African designers were creating globally celebrated brands. Giving students the opportunity to create their own businesses was important for creating social mobility. South Africa has high levels of youth unemployment. I wanted to empower my students with the skills needed to create their own job opportunities.