From Syria to the Classroom: A Multiliteracy Approach to Instilling Global Awareness in Students
s2dikdas.fip.unesa.ac.id SURABAYA – The devastating effects of the Syrian conflict, which has displaced millions and caused countless casualties, can often feel distant for students living in peaceful environments like Indonesia. However, integrating this global crisis into the classroom offers a powerful opportunity to cultivate empathy, global awareness, and critical thinking among students. Through a multiliteracy approach, teachers can not only bring the realities of the Syrian conflict into the classroom but also instill values of compassion and solidarity in young minds, preparing them to be responsible and engaged global citizens.
The Syrian Conflict: A Window
Into Global Issues
The Syrian civil war, which began
in 2011, has led to unimaginable suffering for millions of Syrians, especially
children. Over half of the country's children have been forced to leave their
homes, with many living in overcrowded refugee camps, lacking access to basic
necessities like food, education, and healthcare. For Indonesian students, who
may take their stable environment for granted, understanding the experiences of
these children can be eye-opening. The Syrian conflict, with its profound
humanitarian consequences, provides a timely and relevant context for students
to reflect on their lives and develop empathy for others.
Incorporating the story of Syria
into the curriculum helps students connect their local experiences to global
struggles, fostering a sense of solidarity. It also emphasizes the importance
of peace, justice, and human rights, which are key components of global
citizenship.
What Is Multiliteracy
Education?
Multiliteracy education is
an educational framework that goes beyond traditional literacy skills to
include a broad range of literacies—media literacy, information literacy, and
cultural literacy, among others. This approach encourages students to engage
with diverse modes of communication, helping them develop the ability to
interpret, critically evaluate, and act upon information in ways that are
socially responsible.
For teachers, using multiliteracy
to teach about the Syrian conflict means engaging students with various sources
of information—such as news articles, documentaries, first-hand accounts, and
digital media—so that they can build a more comprehensive understanding of
global issues. In this process, students not only learn facts about Syria but
also engage emotionally and intellectually with the material, cultivating both
empathy and critical thinking skills.
Why Generation Z Needs
Multiliteracy Education
Generation Z—young people born
roughly between 1997 and 2012—has grown up in an increasingly digital world,
with access to a wealth of information at their fingertips. However, this
constant influx of information has also led to challenges such as shortened
attention spans and an inclination towards superficial engagement with complex
issues. For Generation Z, teaching empathy through real-world contexts like the
Syrian conflict offers a way to encourage deeper reflection and understanding.
While students in Indonesia may
not directly experience the consequences of war or displacement, they can be
taught to recognize their privilege and develop a sense of responsibility
toward others. Through multiliteracy, they can begin to understand that they
are part of a larger global community, and the actions they take—or fail to
take—can have far-reaching effects.
Key Strategies for Teaching
Global Awareness Using Multiliteracy
- Storytelling and Digital Media
Storytelling is a powerful tool for teaching empathy. Educators can use books, films, or digital stories to share the experiences of Syrian children, humanizing their struggles and making them relatable. Through multimedia resources such as video interviews with refugees, children’s stories, and animated documentaries, students can get a sense of the day-to-day reality faced by children in war-torn regions. These materials can help students feel more connected to their peers in conflict zones, creating emotional and intellectual engagement with global issues.
After watching these stories,
students can reflect on the experiences of Syrian children and how those
experiences differ from their own. Teachers can guide discussions on what
students can do to make a positive impact, whether by raising awareness or supporting
humanitarian efforts.
- Interactive Learning and Critical Discussions
Once students have been introduced to the Syrian conflict, it’s important to facilitate discussions that encourage critical thinking. Teachers can ask open-ended questions like, “Why do children in Syria suffer? How do war and conflict affect children differently than adults?” These types of discussions help students think critically about global issues and develop an understanding of the interconnectedness of the world.
Students can be encouraged to
explore the political, social, and economic factors contributing to the
conflict, and how international organizations and governments are responding.
This approach not only builds global awareness but also develops skills in
analysis, problem-solving, and communication.
- Role-Playing and Simulation
Role-playing is an effective technique for helping students empathize with others. In the classroom, students can participate in simulations where they take on the role of refugees fleeing Syria or humanitarian aid workers. This experience helps students understand the complexity of the refugee experience, including the challenges of displacement, loss, and survival.
Role-playing also fosters
teamwork and collaboration, as students must work together to solve problems
and navigate difficult scenarios. These exercises can help students recognize
the importance of cooperation and empathy in addressing global challenges.
- Art and Creative Projects
Art provides students with an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about global issues in a creative way. After learning about the Syrian conflict, students can be asked to create posters, paintings, or digital media projects that represent their understanding of the situation.
Creative writing projects, such
as writing letters of support to children in conflict zones or composing poems
about peace, can further help students process what they’ve learned. These
projects give students a way to engage with global issues beyond the classroom
and channel their empathy into meaningful action.
- Global Action and Social Responsibility
In addition to understanding the global issue, students can be encouraged to take action. This might involve organizing fundraisers for humanitarian organizations, writing letters to government officials advocating for peace, or collaborating with local NGOs to support refugees. Taking concrete action helps students realize that global citizenship is not just about awareness but also about actively contributing to solutions.
These activities also reinforce
the idea that students have the power to make a difference, even from far away.
By participating in these efforts, students can feel empowered and connected to
the global community in ways that are tangible and meaningful.
The Role of Global Citizenship
in Multiliteracy Education
Global citizenship is a core
value that should be woven throughout multiliteracy education. Teaching
students to recognize their responsibilities to the global community empowers
them to take an active role in addressing pressing issues, such as the Syrian
conflict. By cultivating empathy, critical thinking, and a sense of solidarity,
educators can equip students with the tools they need to engage meaningfully
with the world.
The Indonesian constitution
emphasizes justice, equality, and human rights, which align closely with the
values of global citizenship. By linking global issues, like the Syrian
conflict, to these national principles, educators can deepen students' understanding
of their role as global citizens. This approach encourages them to consider how
they can contribute to a more just and peaceful world.
The Syrian conflict offers a
poignant entry point for teaching global awareness and empathy in the
classroom. Through a multiliteracy approach, educators can help students
connect emotionally and intellectually with global issues, such as the plight
of Syrian children. By engaging students in discussions, storytelling,
role-playing, and creative projects, teachers can cultivate a sense of
responsibility and solidarity among young learners, encouraging them to be
active participants in addressing global challenges.
Ultimately, teaching about the
Syrian conflict in a multiliteracy framework empowers students to not only
understand the complexities of global issues but also take meaningful actions
toward a more just and compassionate world.
Author: Annas Solihin, S.Pd.
Photo Documentation: istock
