Teaching about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Geography

Teaching about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Geography is important because students can learn about the history and culture of Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a very close bond with their heritage it is passed down from generation to generation and it is important for students to learn and respect that heritage .In Geography its important that students can connect to the history and culture of the land and not just be learning about maps. In the Bible God talks about loving people:

 “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right” (Bible Gateway, James 2:8, 2011).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are strong, rich and diverse. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity is central to this priority and is intrinsically linked to living, learning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, deep knowledge traditions and holistic world view (ACARA, 2013).

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander priority provides opportunities for all learners to deepen their knowledge of Australia by engaging with the world’s oldest continuous living cultures. This knowledge and understanding will enrich their ability to participate positively in the ongoing development of Australia (ACARA, 2013).

                  (Reconciliation South Australia, 2011).

                            (Tropical Medical Training, 2010).

Learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders provides students with different perspectives and outlooks. Bringing an appreciation and respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the background and culture they bring to the land. As is shown in the below video link studies learn values and respect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2PwPlYA4w0

Students should be encouraged and supported in researching and discovering and building their own views. We as teachers should support and guide students in their further research of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders. Credible further research includes the sites below:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2012C00258

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r4943

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Geography is not just about learning history but about learning values and morals. Respecting everyone and their different origins and cultures: Recognizing the fact that everyone has something different to bring to the group and that everyone can contribute.

References

ACARA. (2013). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders histories and cultures. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/CrossCurriculumPriorities/Aboriginal-and-Torres-Strait-Islander-histories-and-cultures.

Australian Government. (2012). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act  2005. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2012C00258.

Bible Gateway. (2011). New International Version. Retrieved 12^th April 2013.

Parliament of Australia. (2012). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r4943.

Reconciliation South Australia Inc. (2011). Aboriginal Australia  map. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.reconciliationsa.org.au/learn%20map.html.

Tropical Medical Training. (2010). Torres Strait  region. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.medicaltraining.com.au/page/Regions/Torres_http://www.medicaltraining.com.au/page/Regions/Torres_Strait_Region/Strait_Region/.

VEA Australia – New Zealand. (2012). Integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in schools. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2PwPlYA4w0.

Teaching about Australia’s Relationships with Asia in Geography

Teaching about Australia’s relationship with Asia is vital in Geography today. Asia is Australia’s neighbour and in being our countries do a fair bit of trading. In a relationship people look after each other countries do the same meaning if anything were to happen in Asia and spill into Australia we have relationship protecting us. God also spoke in the Bible about looking after other people because everyone has value.

 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighboras yourself. I am the Lord” (Bible Gateway, Leviticus 19:18, 2013).

The Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia priority provides a regional context for learning in all areas of the curriculum. It reflects Australia’s extensive engagement with Asia in social, cultural, political, and economic spheres. Many Asian nations are growing rapidly and are regionally and globally influential. Immigrants from all these countries have historically contributed to Australia’s development and will continue to do so in the future. An understanding of Asia underpins the capacity of Australian students to be active and informed citizens working together to build harmonious local, regional and global communities, and build Australia’s social, intellectual and creative capital. It also builds understanding of the diversity of cultures and peoples living in Australia, fosters social inclusion and cohesion and is vital to the prosperity of Australia (ACARA, 2013).

                           (Chanchai Vision, 2013).

Not only is our relationship with Asia important in trade and industry but also in teaching students to create positive relationships and interdependent relationships. Focusing on what is beneficial for both parties and not just on the individual.

An extensive web of regional links now brings Australia and its Asian neighbours closer in the geo-political sphere. The region has experienced a profound increase in solidarity as barriers between travel, commerce and trade have been broken down.  The dawn of the Asian Century now presents an unprecedented opportunity for Australia. Over the next 10 years, Australian output could grow 20% faster if Asian real output rises 50% more than the baseline. Australia’s longstanding and deep relationship with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is indicative of this. Enthusiasm to engage and cooperate with one another has flourished as Asia presents its diverse and rich culture in combination with modernity (Roberts, 2012).

Through this, we have formed stronger cultural ties with our neighbours and promoted regional cooperation and stability.  Australia must now push one step further and embrace regionalism by authentically liberalising trade and relinquishing barriers to Asian investment (Roberts, 2012).

 When looking into Australia’s relationship with Asia it is important that you research well, and provide credible good research to and for your students. Such as shown below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW_KkucHYh4

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/connect-asia/australia-china-agreement-a-milestone-in-relationship-carr/1114106

http://asiancentury.dpmc.gov.au/

http://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/asian-century/index.html

http://asiancentury.dpmc.gov.au/white-paper/appendix-b

 Teaching about Australia’s relationship with Asia is about passing onto the next generation values and information that will guide them in their future decisions for this nation. It is important that we as teachers provide the opportunity for students to research and to express and develop their own beliefs giving them support and guidance.

 Students are not just learning about Australia’s relationship with Asia but how countries work and look after one another and why we need each other. Students are tomorrow’s world and they possess the power to change and make that world.

References

ABC Radio Australia. (2013). Australia, China agreement a milestone in relationship:Carr. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/connect-asia/australia-china-agreement-a-milestone-in-relationship-carr/1114106.

ACARA. (2013). Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/CrossCurriculumPriorities/Asia-and-Australias-engagement-with-Asia.

Australian Government. (2013). Australia in the Asian century. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://asiancentury.dpmc.gov.au/.

Australian Government. (2013). Australia in the Asian century. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/asian-century/index.html.

Australian Government. (2013). Appendix B:Australia’s bilateral relationships with Asia. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://asiancentury.dpmc.gov.au/white-paper/appendix-b.

Bible Gateway. (2011). New International Version. Retrieved 12^th April 2013.

Chanchai Vision. (2013). Untitled [map of Australia and Asia]. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.chanchaivision.com/2013/01/blog-post.html.

 Conversation EDU. (2012). Australia in the Asian century: A conversation with Ken Henry. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW_KkucHYh4.

Roberts, J. (2012). Trade liberalization the key to Australia’s relationship with Asia. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.aiia.asn.au/access-monthly-access/863-trade-liberalisation-the-key-to-australias-relationship-with-asia. 

Teaching Sustainability in Geography

Sustainability brings many things to mind including planet green and saving the whales. In our current global condition we really need to look at just that, living in such a way that we can sustain living for generations to come while looking after our environment our responsibility given to us by God.

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Bible Gateway, Genesis 2:15, 2011).

Sustainable patterns of living meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Actions to improve sustainability are both individual and collective endeavours shared across local and global communities. They necessitate a renewed and balanced approach to the way humans interact with each other and the environment.

Education for sustainability develops the knowledge, skills, values and world views necessary for people to act in ways that contribute to more sustainable patterns of living. It enables individuals and communities to reflect on ways of interpreting and engaging with the world (ACARA, 2013).

Sustainability is not just about us leaving a small environmental foot print but about setting up and educating the current generation about our world and its needs and wellbeing: Leaving our world and all of its beauty and resources for the generations to come.

Not just educating children on environmental issues and species at risk but letting them explore their world and discover how they as people can make a difference and bring a change. Empowering them to take charge and make a difference. As is shown in the below videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nDTmjR_GG1w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=W6Ziq7QiqLA

Websites and documents to explore or direct sustainable hungry people to include the following:

http://australia.gov.au/topics/environment-and-natural-resources/environmental-sustainability

http://www.australiansustainability.com.au/

http://www.environment.gov.au/sustainability/government/

 Sustainability does not depend upon your intelligence or even where you live it is about living your life in such a way as to look after the world and everything in the world that we have been given. Sustainable living is about taking responsibility for our individual part and joining together as a community and or school to see the that change.

References

ACARA. (2013). Sustainability. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/CrossCurriculumPriorities/Sustainability.

Australian Government. (2013). Environmental sustainability. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://australia.gov.au/topics/environment-and-natural-resources/environmental-sustainability.

Australian Sustainability. (2013). Australian sustainability. Retrieved 12rh April 2013 from http://www.australiansustainability.com.au/.

Australian Government. (2013). Government sustainability. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.environment.gov.au/sustainability/government/.

Bible Gateway. (2011). New International Version. Retrieved 12^th April 2013.

Green Cross Australia. (2012). Best of futuresparks. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=W6Ziq7QiqLA.

WWFUS. (2009). Change the way you think – WWF. Retrieved 12^th April 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nDTmjR_GG1w.