Teachers Learn About IWitness at University College London Beacon School Program

Special education teacher Tony Cole introduced teachers to IWitness at an orientation for University College London (UCL)’s Beacon School in Holocaust Education program on Oct. 27.

The Beacon School program identifies 20 secondary schools across England to serve as dynamic hubs within school networks, a model of how good teaching and learning about the Holocaust can make a major contribution to young people’s education.

These Beacon Schools partner with UCL’s Centre for Holocaust Education to improve teaching standards, raise student achievement and advocate to other schools for better Holocaust education.

A residential orientation session in London introduced educators from new Beacon Schools to the Beacon School program, Holocaust pedagogy and teaching strategies, and implications of student learning. Cole led a session on IWitness, showing the educators to how to access testimonies and topics, use activities, set up student groups and assess student progress and make their own videos.

Cole is a Beacon School Lead Teacher at his school, Children’s Support Service South Quadrant, in Basildon, Essex, which serves “hard to reach” students who have social, emotional, behavioral or physical needs. Cole has previously incorporated IWitness into his teaching of the Holocaust.

He said the educators were captivated by IWitness and found the session very useful.