I was just doing a tidy-up of my hard drive and I found this video that I’d almost forgotten about, so I thought I’d put it up on YouTube so I know where to find it in future.
Back in 2006, I spent a year teaching in Oakville, Canada, as part of a teaching exchange. I really enjoyed the whole experience, which was life-changing in many ways. In fact, I’m back in Toronto at the moment and despite the -24 degree temperatures this really is like my second home.
When you go on a teaching exchange you act as somewhat of an ambassador for your country, taking whatever opportunities you can to share some of the culture of your own country with the locals. So one day, I decided to let my Grade 9 BTT101 class experience the classic Australian taste of Vegemite. Most Aussie kids grow up with Vegemite, a yeast based spread that usually goes on toast, crumpets and crackers. Seeing the reaction of non-Aussies makes me realise that it’s somewhat of an acquired taste, but it’s savoury, salty, yeasty taste is actually quite yummy when you’re used to it.
Of course, I managed to tie it into the syllabus, teaching a lesson on computer basics and the concept of input, processing and output… I brought a toaster and a loaf of bread into class, and we dicussed how bread was the input, the toasting was the process and the toast was the output. Input, Process, Output.
Of course, once we had made some toast we couldn’t waste it, so out came the Vegemite and the kids had a taste. Although I love the taste of Vegemite, apparently these Canadian kids didn’t think so. Still, although they weren’t big Vegemite fans, I was pleased that they at least tried it.
Fortunately I captured their reaction on video. 🙂
The Vegemite Taste Test by Chris Betcher is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
That’s very cool. I’ve got my vegemite packed for my trip to the USA – I’ll be inflicting it upon my friend and her family (wait – I’ve got a school visit planned …. aha … tormenting kids in MT with vegemite – that sounds like a plan.)
Hahaha, that is fantastic. I simply love vegemite as most australians do and cant believe the reaction
Can’t stand Vegemite myself. I’m a Marmite girl myself!
Thanks for the post. I have friends in Toronto who are teachers and principals who I met through my study travels over the past few years and I am guessing that vegemite would be an aquired taste also. Minus 24 is a little cold when I was there it nearly 30 in summer.
I remember when our students worked together in 1999-2000, and you sent vegemite along with the other gifts. Everyone did try it, and believe it or not, a few of the boys actually liked it. Must be those junior high taste buds that happily try anything! Well, Katy didn’t like it, but Denis loved it.
…and it’s still online:
http://www.virtualclassroom.org/99/vc_03/realsite/wkshop/wkshopindex.html
Scroll all the way to near the bottom and click on ‘gifts’, then vegemite.
🙂
I was in your grade ten Communications class the following semester in Oakville. I don’t know if you remember me, but for some reason you popped into my head tonight and I went on a bit of a Google hunt. I’m studying Radio & Television Arts now at Ryerson University in Toronto, and without your class I don’t think I would’ve passed my Digital Media Course. So thanks! 🙂
Wow! Hi Michelle. Great to hear from you and to hear you are doing so well (yes of course I remember you!)
Thanks for the note!
Chris