EDUC2420 Teaching Indigenous Australian Students

2020

4.5

1 x 1-hour lecture weekly
1 x 2-hour tutorial weekly

18 units of EDUC topics

1 of EDUC4802, EDUC9400 has been successfully completed

This topic examines the historical context of Indigenous Australian education in order to understand contemporary educational experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families and communities. Teachers who understand Indigenous perspectives on Australian history, the construction of ‘Race’ as an oppressive lens and education as a system of power that underpins Australian society are more equipped to meet all students’ educational needs.

The topic explores current theoretical frameworks and teaching practice in Australia, through inter-disciplinary and Indigenous knowledge systems. To address AITSL Standards 1.4 and 2.4, students will develop a deeper understanding of the complexities Indigenous peoples experience in the Australian education system. The topic will assist students to make an ongoing commitment to becoming a critical, reflexive and more effective teacher of Indigenous students.

This topic aims to prepare students to teach Indigenous Australian students in both rural and urban contexts by encouraging them to develop:

• An understanding of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander schooling experiences and Australian education from Indigenous perspectives;

• A critical understanding of the issues in, and models of, contemporary Indigenous Australian education and policy;

• An awareness of the power relations inherent in constructions of ‘race’, racism, representation and identity in Australia and how this impacts on contemporary education policy;

• A respect for the histories, cultures and perspectives of Indigenous communities;

• Culturally sensitive and inclusive pedagogy demonstrating skills and knowledge in order to become an effective teacher of Indigenous students.

For the successful completion of this topic students will:

• describe race relations in Australia from 1788 to the present;

• reflect on their cultural positioning and perspectives, schooling and teaching experiences and examine how these understandings shape their knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;

• identify and plan the use of effective teaching strategies for Indigenous Australians;

• critically analyse resources for classroom/curriculum use;

• demonstrate skills in working collaboratively;

• develop and articulate an appropriately referenced academic argument.