Affiliate News - Australian Geography Teachers Association

GEoGrAPhiA
Australian Institute for Teaching and
School Leadership (AITSL) Exemplar Project
In June 2011 AGTA was contracted by AITSL to undertake the development of annotated
illustrations of practice (exemplars) to support the National Professional Standards for
Teachers. Rob Berry and Roger Smith will be the managers of the project and will be
responsible during 2012 for developing four exemplars of good practice (three static and
one dynamic) in geography teaching aligned to the National Professional Standards for
Teachers. AGTA considers that this AITSL project is an excellent opportunity to build on
the Professional Standards for Accomplished Teaching of School Geography project AGTA
was involved in from 2007-2010. AGTA looks forward to this being a useful resource for
the implementation of Australian Curriculum: Geography in coming years.
Exploring 21st Century Geography:
A new resource on-line
In May AGTA released for sale its new product titled Exploring 21st Century Geography. The
DVD containing spatial technology resources, technology in the classroom links and 21st
Century geography materials has been developed by AGTA to support the thinking and
resource requirements for the implementation of the Australian Curriculum: Geography.
Thanks to Rob Berry as our webmaster, the product is available on-line and can be
purchased via PayPal. This is a new marketing strategy and capacity by AGTA and will
provide the model for Australian Curriculum orientated initiatives which I am sure AGTA
will be exploring in future months. The response from schools across Australia has been
extremely positive to the availability of the product and shows that schools are looking
for support with 21st Century technology and approaches as they begin to engage with
the Australian Curriculum: Geography. AGTA sees much of its future work is to provide
such resources to support schools during the implementation stage. The Exploring 21st
Century Geography DVD and its availability to schools is the first step along this path.
If interested in viewing information on the resource go to http://www.agta.asn.au/
products/index.htm
AGTA Constitution
Following the May 2011 AGTA BOARD
Meeting the AGTA Constitution was edited
in response to GAWA’s feedback
Discussion at the October AGTA Board
meeting revolved around the following
issues:
• Equity of Member Association
representation on the AGTA Board and
equity of Member Association votes at
AGTA General Meetings and its Annual
General Meeting.
• Transparency of AGTA’s operating
processes and protocols.
• Communications between AGTA and
its Member Associations in terms of
inclusiveness as well as the methods
and timing of communications.
The changes and insertions addressed
many of GAWA’s concerns on the:
• clarity/accuracy of the document
• the communication processes
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• special resolution procedures
• the transparency of AGTA business
A motion will be finalised and distributed
to all Affiliates over the next few weeks for
consideration and response prior to the
May AGTA Board meeting.
Arab Gateways:
A resource kit for Australian
students and teachers.
This new resource, funded by the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
through the Council for Australian-Arab
Relations, has been sent to all secondary
schools in Australia. It introduces the
diverse cultures, environments, histories
and economies of the Arab region.
Especially relevant for history, geography,
social education and economics teachers
and students in years 7–10, Arab
Gateways consists of a 96-page book,
accompanying DVD and a website, www.
arabgateways.edu.au.
The inquiry units are supported by 12
short films profiling the voices of young
people from the region; an interactive,
Arab Explorer; 17 student activity sheets;
and web links – all available on the DVD
and website.
A series of professional learning activities
administered by the Australian Federation
of Societies for Studies of Society and
Environment (AFSSSE) will assist teachers
to implement Arab Gateways information
see their website:www.afssse.asn.au/
ArabGateways.
Objective for Arab Gateways
To promote mutual interests and a
greater understanding and acceptance of
each other’s cultures, values, beliefs and
diversity.
The resource is structured
around five inquiry units:
• Diversity and change
• Sustainable water use
• Lines in the sand
• Global exchange
• Different lens.