Innovative+pedagogy



This space has been provided for you to share any photographs or discussions of the innovative ways you have used the H-Block spaces. This may include various classroom formations and activities that you have used with success and those that were not as successful.

Australia Day 2012 lesson
In this class students are introduced to Aboriginal Political history.

I ask students what happened on Australia Day this year. I play some news footage from the day.

Tent Embassy Portesters March on Parliament

I ask students to get into groups and start a KWL chart (they start by recording What they Know).

I then ask students in different groups to read the K section and add to them if necessary but to also start to think about and record what it is they Want to know (the W of the KWL).

Most groups asked why have a tent embassy? purpose of the tent embassy? what is the tent embassy about? This is want student Wanted to know.

Students were then shown a documentary called //Embassy Days// that shows a brief Political history precluding the establishment of the Tent Embassy from 1938's Aboriginal Day of Mourning until the 1972 protest that formed the Tent Embassy.

Students are then asked to record what they have Learnt (the L of the KWL)



Many students reflect on Tony Abbott's statement that the Tent Embassy 'should be able to move on now' as something valid. Times have changed they suggested. Students are then shown a video from the Senate Hearing at Maningrida where Dr Rev Djijini is asked to comment on current - future legislation. His response is very similar to the reasons given for the Tent Embassy being established.

Senate Hearing at Maningrida 22 February 2012

Students ask what can be done.

We discuss democracy and individual responsibility to be informed and make change by being active. Students are shown a protest site at -

Stand for Freedom - there can be no reconciliation without justice

In this class students were encouraged to be active in their class and democratically. The class had movement where different group configurations produced different outcomes and a shared experience. The ease of having technology engage the class and help to explain an event that was largely misunderstood if not misrepresented in the media.

Students left the class understanding not only the history to the Tent Embassy but also its value in Aboriginal Political life. There are no reasons to move the Embassy on because nothing has changed!