Understanding Indigenous Education and Perspectives
Overview
This unit builds and strengthens students’ understanding and application of knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, identity, languages, histories, status, challenges, place-based pedagogies, contributions and perspectives in education settings. In particular, the unit facilitates deeper thinking when exploring and critically analysing key policies and curriculum documents that have shaped pedagogical approaches and content over time. Students will be exposed to the socio-political histories and deliberate how methods in the current frameworks connect traditional and contemporary perspectives from Aboriginal peoples leading to stronger cultural awareness and designing an authentic and meaningful curriculum.
Requisites
08-December-2024
23-March-2025
15-June-2025
07-September-2025
30-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Explain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on learning and pedagogical approaches that can be effectively integrated to maximise student learning outcomes
- Outline knowledge of global and local education policies surround Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and current positioning and their impact on education contexts
- Critically interpret ethical approaches to designing and implementing learning programs that are responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, doing and being
- Design and evaluate innovative and ethical approaches to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and families to maximise opportunities for student learning
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
Live Online |
1.00 |
7 weeks |
14 |
Live Online |
1.00 |
4 weeks |
2 |
On Campus |
20 |
1 week |
20 |
Specified Activities |
4 |
7 weeks |
28 |
Unspecified Activities |
12.5 |
7 weeks |
86 |
TOTAL |
150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning |
18.75 | 8 weeks | 150 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 50% | 1,2 |
| Assignment | Individual | 50% | 3,4 |
Content
- Policy, curriculum and positioning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in educational contexts.
- Students will navigate complexities of history and contemporary pedagogical approaches where they will critically locate curriculum frameworks, identify and engage educational resources and learn to articulate socially just philosophy and pedagogical approaches.
- Place-based pedagogies.
- Authentic, responsive and meaningful curriculum and learning opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.