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. This scenario could be presented to the Year three, History class. The
Furthermore, knowledge of social disadvantage, cultural diversity, and inequality of students can broaden educators' understanding. Knowledge in these areas can be understood as forming part of the ‘hidden curriculum’. Blaise & Nuttall (2011) describe the hidden curriculum as unintentional actions which surround curriculum (p. 82). Due to the importance of the impact of factors in the hidden curriculum, it can be understood that it is critical for teachers to develop a broad understanding of the hidden curriculum so that they can be mindful while interpreting and delivering curricular experiences. Teachers need to consider the hidden curriculum to ensure children's needs are acknowledged and that a safe environment that is free from stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination is
Curriculum is designed to develop successful learners. Confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens (MCEECDYA, 2008, p.13). In 2008, the Australian Government promised to deliver a fair and equitable curriculum for the national’s educational system, taking the task away from the State and Local Governments. The purpose of this was to create an even level of education throughout the country whether in Hobart of Cape York, and to ensure our nations position into the 21st century. This essay will demonstrate the Nation’s curriculum, its structure and development ready for its initial implementation in 2011.
An educator who understands issues of diversity and difference will make the classroom a more enriching environment for all of the students in it, and will ensure those students who are adversely affected by such diversity and difference are given the opportunity and encouragement to overcome challenges they face. Socio-economic disadvantage among students has an impact in the classroom in terms of the ability of a child to gain an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to be a successful student. Gender issues can be one of those concerns in a classroom that, unless they are quite obvious, can be almost disregarded because they are not acknowledged as a concern, for example, asking boys to move chairs. Stereotypical roles can be ingrained in an educators psyche. Cultural diversity is becoming more prevalent in our classrooms; it is the educator’s responsibility to ensure the classroom is a welcoming and diverse environment. When considering how to approach these issues in a classroom and incorporating support for students, an educator would benefit from consulting the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) or the Australian Curriculum (AC). These documents provides frameworks for working with diversity and ensuring students succeed within their given circumstances with the support of both their educator and their school. It is imperative educators understand the effects of socio-economic disadvantage, gender issues and cultural diversity when creating an
The Australian Curriculum incorporates observations as one of the fundamental skills that students are required to learn (Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA], n.d., ACAVAM106). Observations, such as the observational drawing of leaves completed in topic two provide students with an opportunity to develop their visual literacy skills and inquire about the world around them (Dinham, 2014, p. 39). During the different stages of drawing development, students draw upon prior learning, which they have gained through observations, to express their thoughts and make meaning. In the same way, the artist Henri Rousseau, who’s jungle paintings have been described as “…primitive and naïve” drew upon his developing catalogue of prior learning to
The Australian Curriculum basically makes sure that it is setting out the essential knowledge, understanding, skills and universal competences that are very essential for all Australian students. The Australian Curriculum makes sure that it defines the learning power of students as groundwork for their future learning, development and vigorous contribution in the Australian society. It makes obvious what every young Australians need to learn as they advance through their schooling. It is the basis for high worth teaching to come across the requirements of everyone of Australian students. Curriculum is intended to progress fruitful learners. Secure and resourceful persons and functioning and informed people (MCEECDYA, 2008, p.13). In 2008, the Australian Government swore to distribute a reasonable and just curriculum for the national's educational system, pulling the job away from the Local and State Governments. The drive of this was to generate a smooth phase of education all the way through the nation, and to also safeguard their countries locus into the 21st century. This essay will reveal the Nation's curriculum, its organization and development that had already been implemented for its initial opening in 2011.
As a future educator, it will be my job to continue acknowledging, valuing and teaching Indigenous origins, histories and cultures using the Australian Institute for Teaching and School (AITSL) standard 2.4 and the Australian Curriculum. This will give my future students a better understanding that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were the first custodians of our Australian land and of their origins. They lived in Australia 60,000 years before the British settled in 1788. I will teach an Australian historical time line prior to 1788.
When delivering school curriculum, educators must meet the needs and strengths of all students. The Australian Curriculum allows educators to personalize their teaching and learning programs by selecting content that is stimulating, challenging and meets the individual needs and strengths of all students in a classroom (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2015). The Early Years Learning Framework (2010) explains how a student’s culture is central to who they are as a human being and gives them a sense of belonging (pp. 21-22). Using these two documents, educators can carry out learning programs that caters for all needs,
In exploring the Australian Curriculum, it becomes apparent that this curriculum was developed to encompass a wide range of skills and abilities that will be needed to enable young Australians to become productive and successful members of society of the future. The influence of a range of different curriculum models and education theories has bought together a comprehensive overview of what the Australian education system will deliver and how this can be accomplished.
Australia is a multicultural country and welcomes people from varying nationalities into its communities each and every day. As a result, classrooms all over Australia are changing. No matter what location a teacher is contracted to, there will be some element of a variety of cultures within that environment. Diversity of cultures within individual communities will fluctuate from town to town and state to state as people re-settle and create homes for themselves and forge a new identity and sense of place. As a teacher, it is also important to note, that the experiences of migrant students in your class will vary. Some may assimilate very well; others may encounter more hurdles than others. A teacher’s role in a child’s life should be one which is positive. Supporting a child through their education and ensuring they have appropriate care and compassion in relation to their situation is important. This guide has been put together to help teachers with some background knowledge on educating culturally diverse students and some strategies to help foster compassion and understanding within the classroom.
Like many non-Aboriginal teacher’s, I have not a considerable amount of experience teaching and engaging with Aboriginal students. My comprehension and learning of utilizing correct terms to describe or speak of culture and worldviews are restricted. Having knowledge and understanding of these tools, is an absolute necessity to a successful teacher to all children and background. This reflection, on self and overview of the unit will be in connection to three sub topics and provide indigenous studies for all students, knowledge of all topics and achieving Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) standards (2017).
In today 's ever changing world teachers need to understand the importance of a multicultural education. It’s becoming essential to provide opportunities for their students to learn about the many cultures represented in america and the world around them. Studies have shown that by the year 2040 as surveyed by the U.S. census bureau, that “white non-hispanics will make up less than half of the school aged population” (Smith) Our country is ever growing and it doesn 't seem right to exclude cultural education to students when our nation was built by immigrants. Building curriculums that acknowledge different cultures,
The development of a national curriculum for Australia is not a new endeavour (Marsh, 2010). The ideal is that national curriculum across Australia would mean that students are provided with a quality education that helps to shape the lives of the nations citizens and continue developing the productivity and quality of life within Australia. The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA] have the task of developing and implementing a nationwide curriculum. ACARA (n.d.-c) claims have addressed needs of young Australians while considering that changing ways in learning and challenges will continue to shape students education in the future. A look at what the Australian Curriculum is, its purpose, structure and scope,
The key issues teachers need to consider to work successfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are to know cultural behaviours, relatedness, identity, history, community spirit, and to be aware of a great sense of autonomy. They are referred to as
It is important to recognize that Australian history is not just about the arrival of Captain James Cook, but has an inclusive view of the Aboriginal history. Understanding the history of Land rights in particular acknowledges Indigenous struggle which includes the White Australia Policy and also the Stolen Generations. Aboriginal culture is inseparable from the land to which Aboriginal title is attached, and has been a continual struggle of Aboriginal people to be acknowledged as prior owners of the land and for recognition of all rights and obligations that flow from this association. Teaching Aboriginal students requires sensitivity for their special needs and knowledge about Aboriginal cultural protocols. Incorporating a program that relates to current day life for an Indigenous child that also works around Aboriginal parents limitations. (CreativeSpirits, 2015 ) There are plenty of barriers that effect education to an Indigenous Aboriginal, include inappropriate teaching materials and a lack of Aboriginal role models. Aboriginal education requires connection to communities, understanding issues of land rights such as ‘Welcome to Country’ is recognition that Aboriginal people are the original owners of the land. This enables the wider community to pay respect to Aboriginal people, share in Aboriginal culture and build better relationships.
It is imperative, in the classroom, to consider Aboriginal culture and identity to foster students formally recognise and acknowledge Aboriginal people as the first Australians and to promote awareness of the history, culture and ongoing connection of Aboriginal people to the Land. Considering the AITSL standards, 1.4, I will create practical ways to enhance the educational experiences of Aboriginal students. Using Aboriginal terms of reference, I will teach non-Indigenous students to respectfully acknowledge Aboriginal people and their connection between things, places and their language, and knowledge of the land (Yunkaporta, 2009). Building a bridge between Indigenous students and the western education system, I will involve significant