Indigenous knowledge, cultural awareness and communication skills for information technology, engineering, mathematics and environmental disciplines

Date

2011

Authors

Quinn, D.
Duff, A.
Brodie, T.
Darzanos, K.
Smith, E.
Carmody, M.
Makepeace, J.
Dansie, B.

Editors

Yorke, J.D.

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Conference paper

Citation

2011 Meeting the Challenges: Proceedings of the ATN Assessment Conference, 2011 / Yorke, J.D. (ed./s)

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Meeting the Challenges: ATN Assessment Conference (20 Oct 2011 - 21 Oct 2011 : Western Australia)

Abstract

Higher education has the potential to play an important role in fostering the national reconciliation agenda - bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through teaching, learning and assessment. In 2005, the University of South Australia (UniSA) took a proactive role to reconciliation by embedding Indigenous content in all of its undergraduate programs (ICUP). The result of the ICUP approach was the addition of three new indicators to its graduate qualities and assessment policy: Indigenous knowledge; social and ethical perspectives and communication. The first iterations of ICUP policy were _stand-alone' approaches, with mandatory Aboriginal studies courses being included in undergraduate programs (health, humanities and business). The second methodology took an _embedded' approach where ICUP learning took place within a discipline context (information technology, engineering, mathematics and environmental studies). Learning objectives and assessment were linked closely with career and professional practice in first year courses within the Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment (ITEE). Significant and authentic learning opportunities were designed at different year levels of programs. This paper presents brief case studies of the approach and shares observations of the profound and often surprising impact these experiences have had on learners and teachers alike.

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Copyright 2011 the Authors

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