Studies of Asia and the Australian Curriculum Melbourne Zoo - 2013

Why Asia??? Imperatives: Moral Economic Professional Education is about being ready for school, ready for work, ready for life…. I believe there are 3 main imperatives for us as educators to include studies of Asia in our curriculum.

Morally….. Be a good neighbour - we live in the region! What are the countries of Asia? First, lets look at the ‘moral’ imperative: We are Neighbours with Asia – we live in the same region, next door in fact. How do good neighbours act? By KNOWING about each other By ACKNOWLEDGING each other By ASSISTING each other By TALKING with each other These are both what we need to be doing with countries of Asia and skilled in. SO what are the countries of Asia? List what you can while you sit there with the person next to you…… Discuss definitions and why we use this map.

Economically – we are tied to Asia http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/video/show_embedded_video.asp?videoid=7225&KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=420&width=610 Secondly, we are tied inextricably with Asia…… Consider the GFC which Australia navigated largely on the back of China’s demand for our resources for one. But we are connected on so many levels. I’d like to show you a short video clip to outline just a few, including Fashion, sport, the arts, small business, and personal opportunities As you can see these are all people who are embracing Asia to further the economic connections.

Australia in the Asian Century – the White paper A roadmap for the whole of Australia Building on our strengths for a productive and resilient economy Building capabilities to succeed All students will have significant exposure to studies of Asia across the curriculum All students will undertake a continuous course of study in an Asian language (esp. Mandarin, Hindi, Indonesian and Japanese.) Innovation, collaboration and connecting to Asian markets Building sustainable security Deeper and broader relationships So the third imperative is that professionally it is an expectation of us as educators. Last year the federal government released the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper. The White paper outlines 5 key areas for five pillars of productivity—skills and education, innovation, infrastructure, tax reform and regulatory reform The white paper is a road map for the whole of Australia. The 5 key pillars for reform are: (see slide) As educators, we are an integral part in building the capacity of Australians to meet these goals, especially/particualrly no 2.

Australian Curriculum General Capabilities There are 3 parts to the Australian Curriculum Learning Areas – with which we are all familiar Cross curriculum Priorities and General capabilities Lets look at them in reverse order…. There are 7 general capabilities which are part of all learning areas and all year levels. Most of these will be familiar to you and you will have a working understanding of what they mean. Literacy Numeracy ICT capability Critical and creative thinking Personal and social capability Ethical understanding (new title) and Intercultural understanding For the moment I wish to spend a moment unpacking ICU, to clarify the working definition and its application in schools www.australiancurriculum.edu.au 6

Intercultural Understanding Includes the skills to critically reflect on one’s own culture as well as positive, cooperative and respectful interactions between people of diverse cultural backgrounds at both an institutional and interpersonal level. Can be measured by the acquisition of critical cultural awareness, culturally respectful attitudes and positive skills for interacting across cultural groups. Focuses on the interaction between people by developing an understanding of self in relation to others. What do they think it means – discuss first Critically reflect para – think about your own experience of being somewhere ‘different’ and how it helped you reflect on your own culture; generally we are blind to our own culture, so we need to be taught how to do this; positive, cooperative and respectful – the key Measured para – across cultural groups Interaction para – understanding self in relation to others.

Australian Curriculum – Cross Curriculum Priorities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia Sustainability The second part of the Australian Curriculum is the Cross curriculum Priorities. These are also deemed too important to be restricted to one learning area and like the general capabilities are to be taught across all learning areas and all year levels. Note that Indigenous is the local focus, Asia the regional focus and Sustainability the global focus. www.australiancurriculum.edu.au 8

foundational and deep knowledge, skills and understandings about the Asia literacy foundational and deep knowledge, skills and understandings about the histories, geographies, societies, cultures, literatures and languages of the diverse countries that make up our part of the world With the person next to you discuss: What do you think Asia literacy is??? And how Asia literate do you think you are on a 3 point scale – minimal, average, very?/ yes/no/maybe; low/med/high (what have you learnt about countries of Asia? At what depth? In what areas? How current?) 9

Organising themes in Asia priority Asia and its diversity Achievements and contributions of the peoples of Asia Asia-Australia engagement

Organising Themes Asia and its diversity OI.1 The peoples and countries of Asia are diverse in ethnic background, traditions, cultures, belief systems and religions.  OI.2 Interrelationships between humans and the diverse environments in Asia shape the region and have global implications. As we go through these next few slides looking at the Organising Themes a little more, I would like you to consider two things: what you are CURRENTLY doing that does or could be modified to include these Organising Ideas What MIGHT you do embrace these in your area of speciality. Remember that there are three organising Themes which are further elaborated. It is not practical or realistic to think that you will cover every idea in your learning area, but across the school and the years, they all need to be embraced. It may be a useful exercise to map these across learning areas, years and sub-schools to observe where the concentrations are, or what is being thinly treated or even omitted. Show full slide Highlight each idea – give a moment to think

Organising Ideas Asia and its diversity OI.1 The peoples and countries of Asia are diverse in ethnic background, traditions, cultures, belief systems and religions.  OI.2 Interrelationships between humans and the diverse environments in Asia shape the region and have global implications. Achievements and contributions of the peoples of Asia OI.3 The peoples and countries of Asia have contributed and continue to contribute to world history and human endeavour. OI.4 The arts and literature of Asia influence aesthetic and creative pursuits within Australia, the region and globally. This is the 2nd organising theme: Achievements and contributions of the peoples of Asia Remember to think about what you are CURRENTLY doing that does or could be modified to include these Organising Ideas What MIGHT you do embrace these in your area of speciality. Highlight each idea – give a moment to think

Organising Ideas Asia and its diversity OI.1 The peoples and countries of Asia are diverse in ethnic background, traditions, cultures, belief systems and religions.  OI.2 Interrelationships between humans and the diverse environments in Asia shape the region and have global implications. Achievements and contributions of the peoples of Asia OI.3 The peoples and countries of Asia have contributed and continue to contribute to world history and human endeavour. OI.4 The arts and literature of Asia influence aesthetic and creative pursuits within Australia, the region and globally. Asia-Australia engagement OI.5 Collaboration and engagement with the peoples of Asia support effective regional and global citizenship. OI.6 Australia is part of the Asia region and our histories from ancient times to the present are linked. OI.7 Australians play a significant role in social, cultural, political and economic developments in the Asia region. OI.8 Australians of Asian heritage have influenced Australia’s history and continue to influence its dynamic culture and society. This is the 3rd organising theme: Asia-Australia engagement what you are CURRENTLY doing that does or could be modified to include these Organising Ideas What MIGHT you do embrace these in your area of speciality. Highlight each idea – give a moment to think – take a minute to discuss the possibilities of embracing this in your particular classes with your neighbour Im now going to show you a quick snapshot for 7 areas of study of how the Organising Ideas might like. The first 4 are part of 2-13’s curriculum – the others are to follow

How does this look in… English provides rich and engaging contexts for developing students’ abilities in listening, speaking, reading, viewing and writing. enables students to explore the diverse range of traditional and contemporary texts from and about the peoples and countries of Asia, including texts written by Australians of Asian heritage students draw on knowledge of the Asia region, including literature, to influence and enhance their own creative pursuits. They develop communication skills that reflect cultural awareness and intercultural understanding.

How does this look in… Maths provides rich and engaging contexts for developing students’ mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding. provides opportunities for students to learn about the understandings and applications of Mathematics in Asia and their contribution to the ongoing development of Mathematics. students develop mathematical understanding in fields such as number, patterns, measurement, symmetry and statistics by drawing on knowledge of and examples from the Asia region. These could include calculation, money, art, architecture, design and travel. 

How does this look in … Science provides rich and engaging contexts for developing students’ science knowledge, understanding and skills. provides opportunities for students to recognise that people from the Asia region have and continue to make significant contributions to the development of science understandings and their applications, to recognise that the Asia region includes diverse environments and to appreciate that interaction between human activity and these environments continues to influence the region and has significance for the rest of the world. students appreciate that the Asia region plays an important role in scientific research and development. These can include research and development in areas such as medicine, natural resource management, nanotechnologies, communication technologies and natural disaster prediction and management.

How does this look in … History provides rich and engaging content and contexts for developing students’ historical knowledge, understanding and skills. enables students to develop an understanding of histories of the diverse peoples of Asia and their contributions to the world, the importance of the traditions, beliefs and celebrations of peoples from the Asia region and the study of ancient societies, trade, conflicts, progressive movements and migration to Australia. students recognise the dynamic nature of socio-political relationships within the region over time, and the role that individuals, governments and other organisations play in shaping relationships between peoples and countries. They develop an appreciation of the history of Australia-Asia engagement and how this influences contemporary relationships within Australian society and relationships between Australia and the countries of Asia. Students also understand the ongoing role played by Australia and individual Australians, including Australians of Asian heritage, in major events and developments in the Asia region.

What is an Asia Literate school? Ask for a discussion…. Does this help?? Explain the 4 domains/categories and how the classic rubric works. Suggest that this is used across the school for uniformity of language, a mapping tool for current practice and a guide and aspirational tool of what needs to be addressed and planned for.

Studies of Asia wikispace: studiesofasia.wikispaces.com Show where todays notes can be found Units of work Asia literate guide Resources LMERC AusVELS and the Australian Curriculum Links to Australian curriculum Newsletter/what’s new Twitter