Some comments from the first session on the new South Australian Curriculum under development

 

Image above: Poster from Pearson Publications that can be downloaded at https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/humanities/humanities-matter.html

Here are some thoughts from those attending the session.

The DfE Strategic Plan for development of the SA Curriculum

• Data included community and state cultural snapshots for context specific to SA learner and young people's educational rights which was great to see.
• Student agency and critical inquiry where stand out points of discussion.
• The framework is built to support the learner, educator, parent/caregiver by meaningfully engaging in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Linking South Australian learners unique Funds of Knowledge’s to relevant learning opportunities and engaging contexts.
• Recognizes, addresses and measures ways of reducing organizational inequities for groups such as Aboriginal learners, learners with disabilities, learners who face economic disadvantage, learners living in regional and remote Australia, and children in care.  
• Promotes educator flexibility when teaching students about Local South Australian community contexts.
• The major note that I have for the roll out of the SA Curriculum; Under Development is access to iterations and feedback. Access is limited to DfE educators and Public Schools SA. As updates occur, vital feedback groups such as PST and independent/private/religious educational organization’s opinions will be missed. At this stage of the roll out, I believe that these prototype phases could be publicly released for feedback and focusing.

Throughout the hour-long session, both presenters warmly created opportunities for members to have discussions, provide feedback and answer questions in the chat.

Graphic from: https://4humanities.org/2013/06/humanities-matter-preview/

 

To the question, “Why is HaSS important for learners?”, some of the online comments were:

• Ensures students develop important life skills and understanding
• To understand the world they are in and how to contribute actively as a citizen
• To learn about and connect with our communities, nation and globally
• It provides students the opportunity to practice and model themselves to be active global citizens by exploring the past, present and future. Students in remote communities can be critical thinkers and actively engage with those in capital cities
• Learners can become informed on issues and become active and engaged citizens
• Makes connections with the world and informs students to be active participants in their world
• To gain deeper and more sophisticated understanding of the contemporary world and how it was developed and changed over time. Additionally, to promote interdisciplinary skills and dispositions that can be used in multiple forms and contexts
• It gives learners a well-rounded perspective on issues and what we can do as responsible citizens.

To the question to attendees about “What excites them about the new SA Curriculum HaSS R-10?

* I look forward to inputting the dispositions more explicitly

* Simplified concepts

* It gives flexibility for students in Cat 1 schools to explore how impactful Hass can be based on their community and give space to reflect on their identity.

* There appears to be quite a strong focus on dispositional and capability growth in our students. I think this will be great in focusing on interdisciplinary skills and how this can be applied to academic and non-academic contexts

* Feels more connected... would love to see some of the dispositions that are civics/citizenship focused back in F-2 as Early Childhood Teachers know that this is highly relevant for young children (its in EYLF...disappears in the early years of schooling...then reappears in Year 3).

In short, it was excellent to have such a good number of HaSS educators and HAA members online last night for our first HAA workshop on the new South Australian Curriculum under development. We hope those attending found the information session useful and that we will see such a good turn-up at other HAA events.

A list of upcoming events is posted for members on our website and social media pages. Spots are filling fast so register your interest today – see the registration details at https://hassaa.org.au/haa-conference/