Australian Curriculum

and understanding achieved through this priority will improve the ability of all young people to contribute positively in the ongoing development of Australia (Australian Curriculum, n.d)

The origins of the word curriculum date back to ancient times and in fact the work comes from the Latin word of currere: a course or race or to run (Smith, 1996,2000). Over many decades, people have argued over the various definitions. Tanner (1980) defined it as “the planned and guided learning experiences and intended outcomes”, whilst Pratt (1980) defined it as a written document describing goals planned, objectives, content and evaluation. So s it a course of study? Or can it be defined as content or a product( Marsh, 2008). Marsh (2008) goes on to include that at a variety of learning sites are a set of objectives for student learning. We can also relate this to Tyler’s objective curriculum model being that the first step to curriculum is always to set the objective. The Model of Taba from 1962, is the same model at Tyler’s but includes interaction and flow between all four stages, so we do not always need the objective before we start writing the content to the curriculum.

A National Curriculum has been of some importance within the Australian Governments for some time. Previous national planned curriculums have been developed and failed a number of times. The Australian Governments with the guidance of the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians have developed ‘The Australian Curriculum’; A planned national curriculum from Foundation to Year 12 covering a variety of learning areas or subjects catering for Diversity, Differences and the needs of the 21st Century. The introduction of the Australian Curriculum is designed to supply all young Australians across the States and Territories an education that is of equal and high standards. This Essay will discuss the structure of the

Eight years ago, when I was employed as a teacher at BYLC, it was only in its second year of operation. Therefore, I played and integral part in developing an alternative curriculum that would successfully engage our students and also enable us to receive full accreditation as a secondary school. Since the introduction of the Australian Curriculum (AC), I re-developed our programs and they have again been approved during an accreditation review.

Based on the research and analysis undertaken, it is recommended that the most effective and authentic forms of assessment for writing and reading are writing portfolios and reading checklists, respectively. Although Brown & Hudson (1998) state that both these forms of assessment are time inefficient in that the initial creation of the criteria to cater for specific learning outcomes requires extensive planning, as well as possible teacher retraining, the benefits of such assessments far outweigh their limitations. The Australian Curriculum’s (n.d.) shift to accommodate diversity, inclusion, and inspire deeper learning and thinking in students requires more subjective, individually catered, and authentic assessment strategies that allow for

The aim of the Australian Curriculum is to ensure students become confident mathematical communicators who are creatively able to investigate and interpret situation in a variety of context (ACARA, 2015). The are 6 areas of maths covered in the Australian Curriculum and discussing this paper are number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability. Through the curriculum students are guided to an increased understanding of the “concepts and fluency with process” as well as pose and solve problems (ACARA, 2015). This paper discusses my personal experience, strengths and weakness when working with each of the 6 mathematical areas, as well how my confidence and anxiety influences my attituted toward working in each area.

Indigenous Education in Australia has been the subject of ongoing policy focus and repeated official inquiry as the nation grapples with trying to achieve equity for these students, according to Gray and Beresford (2008). There are many underlying factors behind the development of a plateau effect of progress in this area, this paper will delve into the topic of the Australian Curriculum (ACARA) as one of these main factors effecting equity amongst students in schools. According to the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority, “the Australian Curriculum promotes excellence and equity for all students by providing a challenging curriculum from which rigorous, relevant and engaging learning programs can be developed that address

Access to education is a crucial human right that is universally recognised and is presented within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which means that everyone in Australia is entitled to access of education. However, the inequality in Australian education displays a comprehensive breach between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians. This is due to complications in socio-economic status and geographical location where Australians in urban areas are more likely to complete school than Australians in country and rural areas. Currently this is a problem within the Australian education system between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians where the notion of equality is being defied in Australia, meaning that Indigenous Australians

With the introduction of the Australian National Curriculum into all education systems across the country, many questions and debates have occurred in reference to its effectiveness. From the often perceived conflicting curriculum definitions to the unfortunate failures of past attempts of curriculum implementation, every member of the community has an opinion on this significant shift in the way Australia thinks of its children’s education (Rudd, 2007). The Australian Curriculum however, has attempted to provide answers to these misgivings and societal concern, from an easy to use website interface, transparent developmental process and state/ territory inclusion of common educational individualities. The Australian

The Australian Curriculum, through the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians (MCEETYA, 2008), declares a national curriculum that is accessed by all students from diverse backgrounds. Its composition include three strands - learning areas, general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities, providing teachers with flexibility to cater for student diversity and to personalise learning through curriculum adjustments, (ACARA, 2013, p. 5). The scenario of Malika and her class is an example of an activity meant to create cultural awareness but it is misconstrued and reinforced stereotypes, raised tension between students, or increased confusion.

Secondary school education has been recognized as crucial educational experience for children during their teenager years (Eubanks & Eubanks, 2008). During the period of adolescence, students are experiencing a wide range of changes associated with their physical, social and psychological development. It is also regarded as an important transition for individuals from the primary schooling to post-school life (Foreman, 2011). To support student to manage developmental changes and transition in their young lives, the secondary education system should understand and acknowledge the developmental needs facing the adolescents in their critical phase of adolescent growth and development.

According to Blaise and Nuttall (2011, p.82), the curriculum is more than a complex official document. The Australian Curriculum can be understood when broken down into 5 key components. These components are intended curriculum, enacted curriculum, hidden curriculum, null curriculum and lived curriculum.

It is argued that inclusion is unending, so that there is no such thing as an inclusive school (Ballard 1995). In order to facilitate this idea, all schools must continually develop greater inclusion for diversity of students (Sebba and Ainscow 1996). Inclusive schooling has previously been described as a process that fosters participation by all students and staff as a base for future school development (Bines 2000). This is as a result of the introduction of inclusive policies and the ever increasingly diverse learning needs that have forced school staff to alter their approach and their organisation of students, models of support, teaching staff roles, and approaches to teaching and the curriculum.

Australia is a leading global education provider with some of the world’s best facilities and expert tutors, providing local and international students with a variety of courses and programs in their respective field of study. The education system is popular and degree from any Australian University is globally recognized. It is the 3rd most popular international student destination i.e., after USA and UK. Out of the top 100 Universities in the world, 8 are Australian. In terms of University system ranking Australia stands 9th in the world. Many students are choosing Australia over other countries like UK or US because of the pleasant and adaptable climatic conditions, safe and multicultural environment. When compared to other destinations

Curriculum is defined as the following; a specific blueprint for learning that is derived from content and performance standards. Curriculum takes content and shapes it into a plan for effective teaching and learning. Thus, curriculum is more than a general framework, it is a specific plan with identified lessons in an appropriate form and sequence for directing teaching (Wiggins and McTighe, 1998). The word ‘curriculum' is actually a Latin word for ‘racecourse'. Curriculum is the activities that learners will undertake to achieve their learning goals. The planning, learners experience and order in which it occurs are all part of the curriculum. There are a huge