Unit rationale, description and aim
Australian education aims to promote equity and excellence, and for all children and young people to become successful learners and confident and creative individuals. Teachers must develop knowledge of, understanding of, and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures in order to support learners from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds to achieve this goal. Teachers also need an awareness of skills, protocols, sensitivities and educational practices needed for teaching all students about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing.
This unit develops pre-service teacher knowledge and understanding of the complexity and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages, and the impact of cultural identity and language background on the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Through critical reflection on the literature, and sensitive engagement in discussion and collaborative tasks, you will develop an understanding of educational philosophy, contemporary issues, contexts and policies shaping the educational experiences of Australia’s first peoples. Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, the ways of teaching and learning from an Indigenous perspective and how to work culturally with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and communities is explored.
The aim of this unit is to enable pre-service teachers to learn from and through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives to enhance their respect for and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. In doing so, pre-service teachers will develop intercultural understandings, to promote reconciliation and build capacity to work culturally with students from an Indigenous Australian background.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe the impact of colonial and post-colonial ...
Learning Outcome 01
Analyse contemporary issues, history, context and ...
Learning Outcome 02
Describe how to work culturally and communicate au...
Learning Outcome 03
Analyse the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torre...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and languages, spirituality, beliefs and values, and concepts of kinship and culturally sensitive issues
- An overview of the similarities and diversities of Indigenous and non-Indigenous traditional and contemporary knowledges and knowledge sources, ontologies, epistemologies, and pedagogies
- The impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
- Theories and forms of racism, its impact on individuals, organisations, systems and nations including: white privilege; systemic racism and differing world views; and anti-racism strategies
- Analysis of contemporary issues, including media portrayal, racism and stereotypical views and assumptions impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Past and present national and local jurisdictional educational policies, priorities, programs and practices, and their impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the Australian society, as compared to other relevant international policies
- Current and historical events that have impacted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their education
- Strategies to connect with communities and families to promote reconciliation and involve parents/carers in the educative process
- Creating inclusive and culturally safe learning environments to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people highlighting culturally appropriate and relevant teaching strategies incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowings, being and doing
- Reliable resources for extending the understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and education.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks and their weightings allow pre-service teachers to progressively demonstrate achievement against the course learning outcomes by demonstrating academic and professional standards. The Education Studies units in this course focus on developing understanding of, and skills across the professional knowledge, practice and engagement domains needed to meet expectations of the Graduate Attributes, the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) criteria and the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: Graduate level (APST). This unit focuses specifically on APST 1.4 Strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and 2.4 Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The three assessment tasks are sequenced to allow feedback and progressive development. Through completing Task 1 the pre-service teacher will have the opportunity to review and reflect on conceptions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in society today. Through completing Task 2 the pre-service teacher will develop research, communication and, as appropriate, teamwork skills and will deepen their understanding of community organisations which support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In Task 3 pre-service teachers will examine and reflect on a number of educational concerns to ensure the best educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Minimum Achievement Standards
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed to demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome. In order to pass this unit, pre-service teachers are required to complete ALL assessment tasks and achieve an overall Pass grade.
Assessments in EDES105 include a Critical Task: Assessment Task 3 Reflective Journal. This task is core to the demonstration of a number of Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Pre-service teachers must demonstrate mastery of every summative standard listed in the learning outcomes and attain a score of at least 50% in Task 3 in order to pass this unit.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 Media Investigation Pre-servi...
Assessment Task 1
Media Investigation
Pre-service teachers will research two stories in the media (using social media, print media and broadcast media) that have occurred in the past 12 months regarding Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Reflect and analyse the significance of the stories in light of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and histories.
For consideration:
- How was the story portrayed? Was there a bias within the story?
- Has the story been portrayed differently elsewhere?
- How does this story link with government policies?
- How does it align with any learnings within this unit?
Pre-service teachers will prepare a personal reflection on the stories and their impact on themselves and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
25%
Assessment Task 2 Pre-service teachers will work...
Assessment Task 2
Pre-service teachers will work individually or in groups to identify an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation in their local area to:
- Research the services it provides and why
- Examine and analyse methods of communication the service undertakes and engages in
- Read any research or reports the service has shared to the community and public commentary regarding the organisation
Working individually or in groups, pre-service teachers will develop a slide-deck presentation that describes how the service benefits educational providers, families or colleagues to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and promote inclusivity. The presentation may be presented in tutorial classes.
Pre-service teachers will also develop a pamphlet for educational providers, families or colleagues. Include a review of the organisation, the way the organisation supports families or colleagues and how an educational provider can use the facilities.
Pre-service teachers should liaise with their lecturer prior to contacting the organisation.
30%
Assessment Task 3: Reflective Journal (Critical...
Assessment Task 3: Reflective Journal
(Critical Task)
Individually write a reflective journal that draws together understandings from the weekly lectures, tutorial/workshop activities and prescribed readings. The journal entries demonstrate critical reflection and growing understanding of:
- the impact of colonial and postcolonial experiences on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- contemporary issues, history, context and policies and their impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, as learners and the importance of working with communities, knowledges, pedagogies
- Consider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and other linguistic factors in the education of indigenous students
- Evaluate how your personal reflections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has developed throughout the unit and its impact on yourself as an educator.
Pre-service teachers will reflect and include how the content learnt throughout the unit will influence their teaching of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and the importance of acknowledging and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into the classroom.
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
The learning and teaching strategy for this unit is based on a Constructivist approach that recognises that learning builds on pre-existing understandings and is shaped by a learner’s sociocultural context. In line with the chosen learning and teaching strategy, this unit includes content delivery designed to encourage active learning and engagement, and teaching methods designed to consolidate the learning of content, apply knowledge to problem-solving tasks and develop analytical and evaluating skills. The learning and teaching strategy is achieved through a range of learning activities such as reading, reflection, discussion, and engagement with webinars, podcasts and video resources.
Engagement with appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations or service deliverers will be required.
This is a 10-credit point unit and has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required volume of learning to the requisite standard is approximately 150 hours in total. To achieve a passing standard in this unit, pre-service teachers must engage in the full range of learning activities and assessments utilised in this unit, as described in the learning and teaching strategy and the assessment strategy.
The unit is hosted on a Learning Management System (LMS) site with resources and online links, announcements, and a discussion board to post questions and reflections that promote connection between content and educational experiences.
Mode of delivery: This unit may be offered in different modes to cater to the learning needs and preferences of a range of participants.
On Campus
Most learning activities or classes are delivered at a scheduled time, on campus, to enable in-person interactions. Activities will appear in a student’s timetable.
Multi-mode
Learning activities are delivered through a planned mix of online and in-person classes, which may include full-day sessions and/or placements, to enable interaction. Activities that require attendance will appear in a student’s timetable.
Online unscheduled
Learning activities are accessible anytime, anywhere. These units are normally delivered fully online and will not appear in a student’s timetable.
Online scheduled
All learning activities are held online, at scheduled times, and will require some attendance to enable online interaction. Activities will appear in a student’s timetable.
ACU Online
In ACU Online mode, this unit is delivered asynchronously, fully online using an active, guided learning approach. Pre-service teachers are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions and receive regular and timely feedback on their learning. They will have an opportunity to attend facilitated synchronous online sessions with peers.
AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS - GRADUATE LEVEL
On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should be able to:
ACECQA Curriculum Specifications
On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following specific knowledge:
Representative texts and references
Required text(s)
Australian Curriculum https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/.
Recommended references
Battiste, M., & Henderson, J. Y. (2000). Protecting Indigenous knowledge and heritage. A global challenge. Purich.
Bird Rose, D. (1996). Nourishing terrains. Australian Aboriginal views of landscape and wilderness. Australian Heritage Commission.
Blair, N. (2015). Aboriginal Education: More than adding perspectives. In Noelene L. Weatherby-Fell (Ed). Learning to Teach in the Secondary School. Cambridge University Press, pp.189-208.
Clark, A. (2008). History’s children: History wars in the classroom. University of New South Wales Press.
Hampton, R., & Toombs, M. (2013). Indigenous Australians and health: The wombat in the room. Oxford University Press.
Harrison, N., & Sellwood J (2016). Teaching and learning in Aboriginal education (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Kickett-Tucker, C (Ed). (2017). Mia Mia. Aboriginal community development: Fostering cultural security. Cambridge University Press.
Manne, R. (2003) (Ed). Whitewash. On Keith Windschuttle’s fabrication of Aboriginal history. Black Inc. Agenda.
Martin, K. (2008). Please knock before you enter: Aboriginal regulator of outsiders and the implication for researchers. Post Pressed.
Nakata, M. (2007). Disciplining the savages. Savaging the disciplines. Aboriginal Studies Press.
Price, K., & Rogers, J. (Eds). (2019). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education: An introduction for the teaching profession (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Reynolds, H. (2018) This whispering in our hearts revisited. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press.