Studies of Asia and the Australian Curriculum

Independent Schools Victoria

29 April 2013

Why Asia???

Imperatives:

• Moral

• Economic

• Professional

Morally….. Be a good neighbour - we live in the region!What are the countries of Asia?

Economically – we are tied to Asia

Australia in the Asian Century – the White paper

A roadmap for the whole of Australia1. Building on our strengths for a

productive and resilient economy2. 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.)

3. Innovation, collaboration and connecting to Asian markets

4. Building sustainable security5. Deeper and broader relationships

“India, China and other Asian nations are growing and their influence is increasing. Australians need to become ‘Asia literate’, engaging and building strong relationships with Asia.”

Goal 2:All young Australians become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens

“active and informed citizens…are able to relate and communicate across cultures, especially in relation to cultures and countries of the Asia-Pacific.”

Professionally – it is in our curriculum

www.australiancurriculum.edu.au

Australian Curriculum

General Capabilities

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.

Standpoints of intercultural understandingCultural

integrationCelebratory

understandingRelational

UnderstandingMulticultural

UnderstandingTrans-

formational

Help people fit into the existing structure

Build knowledge of cultural groups within the existing structure

Promote unity and acceptance in the existing social structure

Promote social equality and cultural respect

Promote action toward equality of opportunity

Developing Cultural Understanding(essential but not sufficient for

intercultural understanding)Developing intercultural understanding

Iceberg of culture

www.australiancurriculum.edu.au

Australian Curriculum – Cross Curriculum Priorities

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures

• Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia• Sustainability

Asia literacyfoundational 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

Organising themes in Asia priority

•Asia and its diversity

•Achievements and contributions of the peoples of Asia

•Asia-Australia engagement

Organising ThemesAsia and its diversity

OI.1The peoples and countries of Asia are diverse in ethnic background, traditions, cultures, belief systems and religions. 

OI.2Interrelationships between humans and the diverse environments in Asia shape the region and have global implications.

Organising IdeasAsia and its diversity

OI.1The peoples and countries of Asia are diverse in ethnic background, traditions, cultures, belief systems and religions. 

OI.2Interrelationships between humans and the diverse environments in Asia shape the region and have global implications.

Achievements and contributions of the peoples of Asia

OI.3The peoples and countries of Asia have contributed and continue to contribute to world history and human endeavour.

OI.4The arts and literature of Asia influence aesthetic and creative pursuits within Australia, the region and globally.

Organising IdeasAsia and its diversity

OI.1The peoples and countries of Asia are diverse in ethnic background, traditions, cultures, belief systems and religions. 

OI.2Interrelationships between humans and the diverse environments in Asia shape the region and have global implications.

Achievements and contributions of the peoples of Asia

OI.3The peoples and countries of Asia have contributed and continue to contribute to world history and human endeavour.

OI.4The arts and literature of Asia influence aesthetic and creative pursuits within Australia, the region and globally.

Asia-Australia engagement

OI.5Collaboration and engagement with the peoples of Asia support effective regional and global citizenship.

OI.6Australia is part of the Asia region and our histories from ancient times to the present are linked.

OI.7Australians play a significant role in social, cultural, political and economic developments in the Asia region.

OI.8Australians of Asian heritage have influenced Australia’s history and continue to influence its dynamic culture and society.

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.

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.

How does this look in…

Geography• provides rich and engaging contexts for developing students’ geographical

knowledge, understanding and skills.

• enables students to investigate and explore Asian places, and learn about the ways in which Australia and Asia are interconnected.

• a geographical perspective enables them to study Asia as an important region of the world, as individual countries, as regions within countries, and at the local level.

• students to learn about the diversity between and within the countries of Asia, and helps to counter stereotypes and to foster intercultural understanding.

• leads to a growing understanding of the varied environments, peoples, economies and cultures of Australia’s neighbours.

• students learn to see that world in other ways by investigating Asian perceptions of the world. 

How does this look in…

The Arts• provides rich and engaging contexts for developing students’ abilities in

investigating, making and responding to art works.

• enables the exploration of art forms of the Asia region … from the rich and diverse cultures, belief systems and traditions of the peoples of the region, and examine their global impact and aesthetic significance.

• provides opportunities to investigate collaborations between people of the Asia region and Australia in a variety of art making.

• Provides examination of collective cultural memories and the way they are represented in a diversity of art forms in Australia.

• explore, engage with and respond to the art forms, media, instruments and technologies of the Asia region. They learn the intrinsic value of these art works and artists’ practices as well as their place and value within broader social, cultural, historical and political contexts.

How does this look in…

Health and Physical Education• provides rich and engaging contexts for students to explore the synergy

between Asia and Australia in the areas of health and physical activity.

• enables appreciation and engagement with diverse cultures, traditions, & belief systems of the Asia through the development of communication and interpersonal skills that reflect cultural understanding and respect.

• examine the meaning of health and the mind-body-spirit connection across the cultures of the Asia region through wellness practices including physical activity and traditions of medicine and healthcare

• recognise the influence within Australian culture of traditional and contemporary movement activities from the Asia region and their cultural significance for Australian

• understanding the links between humans, environments, and active living practices while exploring health and movement in the context of Asia

What is an Asia Literate school?

• Where and when would you include ‘Asia’ in your school curriculum?

• How would you do it?• What decisions would need to be made for its

implementation?

• Which year levels?• Which countries? Themes?• How confident do you feel?• What else do you need?

What is an Asia Literate school?

Studies of Asia wikispace: studiesofasia.wikispaces.com