The Alberta Labour History Curriculum Project
The Alberta Labour History Institute (ALHI) is proud to partner with the Aspen Foundation for Labour Education (AFLE) (http://www.afle.ca) to develop approaches and materials for the teaching and learning of labour history in our province. This component of the Alberta Centennial Labour History Project is near to the heart of both organizations, as the education which AFLE has undertaken as its mandate flows directly from the materials and resources, which ALHI is collecting through its Centennial Labour History Project.
AFLE was founded by a group of teachers, professors and interested citizens who believe it is necessary to inspire and educate young Albertans about the social contribution of labour. Amongst other things, this means instilling in them an appreciation of the social and economic issues affecting workers, an understanding of labour unions and the contribution they have made to the quality of social life we enjoy today, and the skills necessary to participate and take leadership in the workplace and society.
The AFLE Board of Directors sponsors and encourages activity to identify places in the Alberta schools curriculum where labour issues can be introduced, and to initiate development of tools and resources that fit with the curriculum. As well, AFLE will provide expert speakers, initiate conferences, seminars and in-services for educators, trustees and parents regarding labour and youth, and conduct or promote its own research on labour issues. It has already developed a resource list of organizations and repositories, which can be accessed by interested teachers and students, and has constructed a unit for Alberta schools called Looking into Sweatshops.
Be part of our project to bring labour history to Alberta students
Adapting the diverse resources gathered by ALHI and presented on this website into a usable form for Alberta’s teachers and students entails a complex and multi-staged task. We have just begun with an exploratory conceptual overview, which is available for download by clicking on the following link: A Teacher’s Overview to Using the Alberta Labour History Institute (ALHI) Website.
In the months ahead, we will be developing teaching materials that can actually be used in the classroom and other educational settings. As part of an ongoing process of development, AFLE and ALHI are looking for your suggestions and direction with regard to materials and resources that may be of interest to Alberta’s teachers. If you are interested in joining this project, or helping in any way, please contact the Aspen Foundation at afle@telusplanet.net. |
