Assessment 3 - Exam

Laura Herbert - 22287364

SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY

ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET

For use with online submission of assignments
Please complete all of the following details and then make this sheet the first
page of each file of your assignment do not send it as a separate
document.
Your assignments must be submitted as either Word documents, text documents
with .rtf extension or as .pdf documents. If you wish to submit in any other file
format please discuss this with your lecturer well before the assignment submission
date.

Student Name: Laura Herbert

Student ID No.: 22287364
Unit Name: Indigenous Australians In Education
Unit Code: EDU01308
Tutors name: Rhonda Barlo
Assignment No.: 3
Assignment Title: Take Home Exam
Due date: 27/05/2016
Date submitted: 27/05/2016
Declaration:
I have read and understand the Rules Relating to Awards (Rule 3
Section 18 Academic Misconduct Including Plagiarism) as
contained in the SCU Policy Library. I understand the penalties
that apply for plagiarism and agree to be bound by these rules.
The work I am submitting electronically is entirely my own work.
Signed: Laura Herbert
(please type
your name)

Date: 27/05/2016
Indigenous Australians in Education - Exam - Laura Herbert
1 | Page

Assessment 3 - Exam

Laura Herbert - 22287364

22287364

Question 1.
The Australian Aboriginal flag represents both unity and
identity (Naidoc, 2016). The flag is divided into three different
sections, comprising of three different colours, red, black and yellow.
The circle in the middle of the flag is yellow and represents the sun
and stands for giver of life and protector (Barlo, 2016). The top half
of the flag, being black in colour represents the Aboriginal people of
Australia. The bottom half of the flag is red in colour and represents
the red earth (Barlo, 2016). The red colour also portrays the red
ochre that is used in Aboriginal ceremonies and the spiritual relation
Aboriginal people have to the land (Barlo, 2016).
The Torres Strait Islander flag is divided into three different
horizontal panels. The top and bottom panels are green in colour
and symbolise the land of the Torres Strait Islander people (Naidoc,
2016). The middle panel of the flag is blue in colour and represents
the waters of the Torres Strait (Barlo, 2016). The green and blue
panels are divided by a thin horizontal black stripe. This stripe
represents the Torres Strait Islander people themselves (Naidoc,
2016).
There is a Dhari in the middle of the blue panel and a star in
the middle of the Dhari, both being white in colour which symbolises
peace (Barlo, 2016). The Dhari represents the Torres Strait Islander
people and the star represents the five major island groups, being
the Northern Division, the Eastern Islands, the Western Division, the
Central Division and the Southern Division (Torres Strait Regional
Authority (TSRA), 2012). The star is also used in navigation for
seafaring people (Naidoc, 2016).
Question 2.
The 1967 Referendum was an enormous achievement for
Indigenous Australians, as two sections of the Australian
2 | Page

Assessment 3 - Exam

Laura Herbert - 22287364

Constitution were amended to aid and benefit all Indigenous and

non-Indigenous people in Australia (Korff, 2014). The 1967
Referendum provided the Federal Parliament with the power to
make laws in regards to order, peace and good government of the
Commonwealth with respect to all Australian citizens (Korff, 2014).
This amendment is pivotal in a discussion on Australian Indigenous
peoples, in regards to their education, as it provided the federal
government with a greater role in Indigenous education. This role
included allocating funds and developing policies for Aboriginal
peoples in regards to their education (Cadzow, n.d.).
Although there was a time lapse in action from the
government after the success of the 1967 Referendum, Indigenous
Australians started to see action being taken to help improve in their
Aboriginal Affairs and how the government dealt with these
(Gardiner-Garden, 1999). This action by the government involved
providing funds to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples and their education. Due to this action, there is equality for
all individuals in today's world, with respect to the level of education
received by individuals and many other areas, including housing and
health.
Although action on Aboriginal Affairs was delayed, it was a
pivotal and significant change that has resulted in all citizens being
treated equally and provided with the same level of education,
without being discriminated against. The 1967 Referendum is a
significant marker in history that inspires and empowers Indigenous
Australians in today's world (Korff, 2014).
Question 3.
Tokenism occurs when an individual makes a token effort or
gesture towards someone or something they are involved in or
completing. A minimal amount of effort is exhausted and this is only
completed because an individual feels they have to complete the
task, not because they actually want to ('Tokenism', 2016). Tokenism
3 | Page

Assessment 3 - Exam

Laura Herbert - 22287364

and stereotypes; holding a fixed image or idea ('Stereotype', 2016),

both have a negative impact on an Indigenous students learning
experience.
If both of these factors are evident, students will feel left out,
and like they are not valued or wanted in the classroom. This along
with teachers not including students of different nationalities, will
discourage students from their schooling life, thus impacting
negatively on their engagement and learning experiences.
Cultural competence involves having the correct knowledge,
values, skills and attitudes to change certain behavioural habits,
with the inclusion of the Indigenous culture, that can help to
improve classroom outcomes (Barlo, 2016). A culturally competent
teacher is able to address the issues of tokenism, stereotypes and
provide success in learning by knowing their students and their
specific needs (Perso, 2012).
Knowing the curriculum and adhering to the curriculum
content that is to be covered in the classroom is another way for a
culturally competent teacher to address the issues for their students
to succeed (Perso, 2012). The use of appropriate and effective
pedagogy will aid the teacher in delivering their curriculum
successfully. The use of effective classroom management and the
correct use of language and inclusion of culture, will be evident in a
culturally competent teachers classroom (Perso, 2012).
Question 4.
The 8 Ways Pedagogical Framework, is an Aboriginal
pedagogy framework that contains eight interconnected pedagogies
that can be utilised in the classroom. This framework allows
teachers to incorporate Aboriginal perspectives through the use of
Aboriginal learning techniques into their classroom and lessons (8
Ways Indigenous Curriculum ad Pedagogy, n.d.).
One strategy of this framework is the use of symbols and
images. This strategy uses metaphors and images to help students
4 | Page

Assessment 3 - Exam

Laura Herbert - 22287364

understand certain concepts and the required curriculum content (8

Ways Indigenous Curriculum ad Pedagogy, n.d.). As the use of
symbols, metaphors and images are central to pedagogy, it aids in
keeping and sharing knowledge and stories through the
implementation and use of objects and art (8 Ways Indigenous
Curriculum ad Pedagogy, n.d.).
This strategy could be used in the classroom to create a
timeline of the development of technologies used by Indigenous
peoples. This timeline would include images of certain artifacts,
along with symbols to connect each image together to illustrate
their progression in time. This activity would provide students with
an insight to how the tools they are using today in the classroom
were originally made and developed and how they have evolved
over time.
Another strategy outlined in the pedagogical framework is the
use and implementation of learning maps within the classroom (8
Ways Indigenous Curriculum ad Pedagogy, n.d.). Learning map are
used to explicitly map and visual a certain process that is to be
completed. Images and visuals are utilised for learners to follow, so
that they can picture the pathway they are to follow to gain
knowledge (8 Ways Indigenous Curriculum ad Pedagogy, n.d.).
Learning maps could be utilised in the classroom by
individuals to create a path they have to follow for a certain
practical task or science experiment. This map would contain the
steps that have to be undertaken from the commencement of the
project to the completion.
Question 5.
To assist engagement in the classroom and specific learning
areas, including mathematics, Indigenous communities can play a
vital and beneficial role in helping students to achieve a high level of
engagement. Indigenous communities can aid students in making a
positive difference in their education outcomes (Matthews, Lawson,
5 | Page

Assessment 3 - Exam

Laura Herbert - 22287364

Morris, 2014).
The appropriate support can be provided by role models of the
Indigenous community to help challenge the students learning and
thought processes, that in return will provide positive learning
experiences (Matthews, Lawson, Morris, 2014). With this support,
students will be able to feel empowered about the work they are
completing, thus resulting in enjoying or having a passion for their
schoolwork and mathematics as a subject (Matthews, Lawson,
Morris, 2014).
There are various protocols that need to be considered and
adhered to when communicating and involving Indigenous
communities in the schooling environment that will aid students in
succeeding in their studies. One of these protocols includes being
patient when asking questions (Board of Studies, 2008); some
communities may take time to respond or become involved in the
school. Another protocol that is outlined is to be sensitive towards
the different type of knowledge, both scientific and spiritual
knowledge, that different individuals portray (Board of Studies,
2008).
Consulting with various members of the community, as
different families may have different views and views is another
protocol that is to be considered (Board of Studies, 2008). Other
major protocols include not forcing a point of view from an
individual, not divulging into sensitive issues and ensuring the
correct language is used. All of these protocols should be adhered
to, to ensure that respect for Indigenous peoples, their history and
culture is evident (Board of Studies, 2008).
References.
8 Ways Indigenous Curriculum ad Pedagogy. (n.d.) Retrieved on 25
May 2016 from * Ways Wikispaces: http://8ways.wikispaces.com/
Barlo, R. (2016). Lecture week 1 [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from
6 | Page

Assessment 3 - Exam

Laura Herbert - 22287364

Southern Cross University EDU01308 Blackboard site.

Board of Studies. (2008). Working with Aboriginal communities.
Retrieved from http://ab-ed.bostes.nsw.edu.au/files/working-withaboriginal-communities.pdf
Cadzow, A. (n.d.). A NSW Aboriginal education timeline 1788-2007.
Retrieved from Southern Cross University EDU01308 Blackboard
site.
Gardiner-Garden, J. (1999). From dispossession to reconciliation.
Retrieved from
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Department
s/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp9899/99Rp27#referendum
Korff, J. (2014). Australian 1967 referendum. Retrieved from
http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/australian1967-referendum#toc0
Matthews, C., Lawson, B., Morris, C. (2014). Mathematics and
Indigenous learner: Why community business, and education
together must make a difference. Retrieved from
http://api.ning.com/files/bYocnjXOIXXlIX8pGy2BMLRc9Rw5*YOaQIFw
TDS5R5cFZ90uaVHojjQADely3Aghk619dr2fN-xeHs8qOu7ae25uU6qMz0o/ATSIMA_paper_Sep14.pdf
Naidoc. (2016). Indigenous Australian flags. Retrieved from
http://www.naidoc.org.au/indigenous-australian-flags
Perso, T. (2012). Cultural responsiveness and school education: With
particular focus on Australia's first peoples; A review and synthesis
of the literature. Retrieved from
http://ccde.menzies.edu.au/sites/default/files/Literature%20review
7 | Page

Assessment 3 - Exam

Laura Herbert - 22287364

%20Cultural%20Responsiveness%20and%20School%20Education
%20March%202012%20FINAL.pdf
Stereotype. (2016). In The Dictionary. Retrieved from
http://www.dictionary.com/
Tokenism. (2016). In The Dictionary. Retrieved from
http://www.dictionary.com/
Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA). (2012). Torres Strait flag.
Retrieved from http://www.tsra.gov.au/the-torres-strait/torres-straitflag

8 | Page