EDF3065 Indigenous perspectives and learning

This unit introduces and explores Indigenous perspectives on teaching and learning in the Australian context. It develops your knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures with a particular focus on the histories, cultures, and languages of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The unit explores the educational impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds alongside the broad knowledge and respect required to teach all students about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, history, and culture.

You will develop skills and insights into how to engage learners from and create partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve learning outcomes by exploring and utilising successful education programs that have achieved improvements in educational outcomes. You will also consider how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and languages may be successfully embedded within curriculum for the benefit of all students.

This unit will ask you to reflect on the ever present colonial narrative surrounding the provision of education in Australia not only to Indigenous learners but also to non-Indigenous learners, and to consider what students know and what you know about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, lifeways, and cultures. Key topics covered include protocols of engagement; culture and language; identity; history, policies and practices; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies; and developing culturally responsive curriculum.