Geoff's thoughts

Hello All,

I have been doing some research (reading) and have found some cool stuff.  Last night I read some interesting information on , 'Teaching and Learning in Aboriginal Education' by Neil Harrison.  Neil explains things very well as he has targeted this book towards Pre-service teachers.  Neil's first gig was up in 'Numbulwar' some 600 k's south of Darwin, he now lectures or has in Armidale. 

I'm finding interesting facts and links from this book, more importantly 'Stories'  as stories are the key it seems to how Aboriginal students learn best.

Teachers -  The picture the teacher paints or message they portray about the future and the importance of learning KLA's, many Aboriginal students are not convinced that  the school is worthwhile or see themselves in that picture of the future.  Schools attempt to make their curriculum more 'culturally friendly', however it doesn't solve improving learners outcomes or retention.  Teachers are generally seen to then make decisions about their interests in relation to if they are for or against Aboriginal people.  This to me is pretty interesting stuff.  Harrison also mentions at this cross road if you like students are influenced by your decisions and you will never be able to hide your thoughts or values, "what you think really counts".

Language - Harrison writes about where you can address Aboriginal people within their local area.  He suggests stereotyping Aboriginal people as a whole is a generalisation.  for example where I grew up in NSW I lived in the Koori people.  In Qld and here in Rocky we have Murri people.  Harrison suggests this reinforces to students there are many different Aboriginal people across Australia.

Finishing this blog I'll just add a few stats I found interesting.  It has been raised that Aboriginal learners are continually left behind in their literacy due to not having the same amount of stories read to them before beginning school as the majority of the population.  This evaluation is probably due to the way the Aboriginal people share and tell stories rather than read to one another.  the stat is prep students or learners starting school will have 1000 hours of books or shared reading, Aboriginal children are less likely.  In 2004 Aboriginal learners in year 7 would have a gap of 60 months from other learners.  The time Aboriginal students reach year 3 the gap is 19 months.



Geoff