View lists of primary and secondary history resources supplemented with user-friendly guides, indicating where each individual resource aligns with the Australian Curriculum..
Australian History Curriculum
Read why an Asia focus is important in the Australian History Curriculum.
View Asia Education Foundation's responses to ACARA Australian Curriculum consultations.
Asian dimension in Australian History
Professor David Walker of Australian Studies at Deakin University, delivered a paper at the National History Teachers Conference in Adelaide on 3 October 2011. Entitled Re-thinking the Asian Dimension of Australian History, he said: 'We have a long history, dating from at least the nineteenth century, of seeing the nation as having an increasingly 'Asian' future and eliciting both apprehension and hope in the process.' Download paper.
'A substantial distance to go'
Leading historian Prof Anthony Milner recently delivered a critique of the Australian Curriculum for History, saying that it falls short of preparing young Australians for a future with Asia. Access speech, video and media coverage.
Video: Asia priority in the Australian History Curriculum
Dr Deborah Henderson of QUT is enthusiastic about the opportunity presented by the new Asia priority in the Australian Curriculum and goes on to discuss the teaching of controversial historical topics. View video and have your say.
Teaching History: The Australian story within the Asian context
In the video in the right hand column, primary and secondary educators discuss the value of incorporating an Asian dimension into the teaching of history.
Prof Tony Milner, Basham Professor of Asian History at the ANU, discusses the imperative of reframing the Australian story for an Asian setting to ‘avoid the risk of being a country at odds with its region’.
Anne Fisher, Manager of Australian Curriculum strategy at the AEF, concludes the video by outlining the cross-curriculum priority of Asia, and Australia’s engagement with Asia allows students to appreciate Asia’s significant contribution to world history and human endeavour.
The Cultural Revolution: History resources
The Red Piano is a powerful illustrated story about a young Chinese pianist’s fight for self-expression. Inspired by the life story of renowned international concert pianist and recording artist, Zhu Xiao-Mei, the book tells a story from 35 years ago that still has relevance to the human rights situation in China today. More information about the book, along with teachers notes can be found on the Wilkins Farago website. Wilkins Farago also publish Kampung Boy.
Explore aspects of China's history or the autobiography genre by accessing the online Study Guide for the film of Mao's Last Dancer at Metro Magazine. Teaching activities support the areas of Media Studies, History, English, Politics and values education.
Chinese propaganda posters provide multiple entry points into periods of China's history. Chinese Posters, an initiative of Stefan R. Landsberger and the International Institute of Social History, range from the period of Japanese occupation of China to the Cultural Revolution to modern challenges such as the impact of SARS and the celebration of the Beijing Olympics.
Interactive website: My Place
In this website you will find:
13 stories about children: their special place is a fig tree that represents a place of belonging for children for more than 130 years
A decade timeline: highlights events in the children's lives for each decade of Australian history, politics, society, technology and science
More than 300 teaching activities: rich curriculum content to support the Australian Curriculum for History and English
Interviews: with author Nadia Wheatley and producer Penny Chapman
Image bank: stills gallery, clips, production materials and poster design
Interactive teacher forum: share your ideas and strategies for My Place in the classroom with other teachers and much more.
Go to My Place for Teachers interactive website.
Most popular resource
CrossCurrents: Discovering Civics and Citizenship in Our Region
This History/SOSE resource is a collection of readings providing cultural and historical perspectives in Asian contexts. This resource aligns to the Australian Curriculum for English and History at Years 9 and 10.
View more
Professional learning for History teachers
Find professional learning related to teaching History, Geography, SOSE and themes such as Globalisation.
Links
The Hyperhistory site has a unit about the Vietnam War designed for middle secondary students to investigate the controversies, debates and consequences surrounding Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Find Asia-focused History sites or other sites that include a focus on studies of Asia.
