Exploring various prompts related to the burning of Notre Dame gives insight into a range of perspectives on the significance of historical structures. These perspectives offer insights into the multifaceted meanings people ascribe to places and locations.
Design thinking stages
Empathy, define
Curriculum areas
Geography, History, Intercultural Capability
Students examine the four images related to the burning of Notre Dame, reflecting on how different people might feel. Images include
Notre Dame on fire
spectators who appear upset
a large crowd suggesting general interest in the event
two (fake) tweets expressing very different opinions on the significance of the event
The Empathy Map can be used to guide students’ observations. The goal is to appreciate that different places can hold diverse levels of meaning and significance for individuals. What may be important for one person, may not be important for another.
Students read the newspaper clipping discussing BHP’s potential destruction of Indigenous culturally significant sites. Students identify an issue from the article and conduct a 5-why’s analysis to delve deeper into the underlying causes. The goal is to foster understanding of why some individuals may be inclined to destroy such sites while others experience sadness. Notably, the newspaper clipping prompts students to consider how others could have assisted in raising awanress when the Indigenous community faced limitations in expressing their concerns publicly.