Asia in the Curriculum
Introduction
This unit is delivered by the University of Tasmania
This unit introduces teachers to thinking about studies of Asia
from the perspective of curriculum construction. It looks at issues of
curriculum construction in a wide perspective, including teacher planning,
teaching
and student learning in the meaning of curriculum.
The unit then considers
various dominant discourses for including studies of Asia in the light of understanding
of curriculum initially developed in the unit. It then presents teachers with
the prospect of alternative curriculum paradigms and invites
them to think about the opportunities these raise for solutions to issues of
including studies of Asia in the curriculum up to this time.
The unit concludes
with a practical module drawing on the curriculum resources of the Studies
of Asia: a Statement for Australian schools and the Curriculum Support Document.
Aims and Outcomes
The unit aims to enable teachers:
- To increase teacher knowledge and understanding of curriculum policies
and initiatives to promote studies of Asia in schools
- To develop curriculum units for classroom or wider school use
- To develop appropriate criteria for evaluating studies of Asia resources
- To develop teachers skills in evaluating studies of Asia curriculum materials
- To explore and develop the concept of the 'Asia-literate' school
- To develop teachers as reflective practitioners and change agents in
their schools
At the conclusion of this unit you will have had the opportunity to select
outcomes that suit your particular classroom or learning area needs and those
that provide professional leadership opportunities.
The unit provides opportunities to:
-
Understand the educational, intellectual and economic reasons for studies
of Asia
- Evaluate exemplar curriculum statements, policies, programs and approaches
to support studies of Asia, and apply these where appropriate
- Evaluate relevant curriculum frameworks and determine their appropriateness
for infusing studies of Asia into the curriculum
- Assess the worth of existing curriculum materials for studies of Asia
- Design curriculum materials for classroom use
- Design a curriculum model and action plan for infusing studies of Asia
in their practice
- Understand the concept of 'Asia literacy' as it applies to student
outcomes in Australian schools
- Develop a professional development strategy for encouraging
whole school implementation of studies of Asia
- Provide professional leadership in the development of school
policy inclusive of studies of Asia