Resource+1



** Resource One: Australian History Website **

__Explanation of the Resource__ Resource One is a website designed by AustralianHistory.org. The website aims to document Australia’s history through stories and research from historical facts, to promote open dialogue on current issues and to provide a quality educational website. The website is divided into different sections and provides information about important aspects of Australian history. The website follows an interactive timeline layout e.g. Ancient History, Colonisation and Post Federation. The “Ancient History” section of the website provides information about Pre 1788, information about the “First Australians” “Aboriginal Culture” and “French Exploration”. The “Colonisation” section of the website sets out a timeline of events from the “European Exploration”, “First landing” “Australian Explorers” and to the “Convicts”. These main topics are further divided into sub sections so students can further explore specific topics and can gain a deeper understanding of the topic. The website is clearly laid out with major topics explicitly displayed and both teachers and students will find the website easy to navigate. The website also appropriately links to both HSIE and literacy outcomes so it can be used through the unit of work to provide contextual information and support students understanding of multimodal texts.

__Relevance to the Outcome__ This resource from the Australian History website was selected because it relates to the Key Learning Area of HSIE as it described events and actions related to the British Colonisation of Australia. This aligns with the Stage two HSIE content strand // Change and Continuity: Significant Events and People (CCS2.1) // which is the main outcome for the unit. In addition to this the website it set out like an interactive timeline, with the significant events and dates. The interactive timeline will give the students a visual representation of the continuity of time and will also allow them to see the events in sequence. The information provided for each event is brief, informative and age appropriate and the interactive images compliment the information presented. Therefore, this website can be explored as an introductory activity to consolidate prior knowledge, Pre-1788 and to introduce them to the content knowledge of the Colonisation period of 1788-1901. This website would also be appropriate as a starting point for developing students’ content knowledge in preparation for the creation of a multimodal text and a factual recount. __Aspect of Literacy Explored__ This resource will allow students to focus on “learning to read” outcomes in the K-6 English Syllabus. It will allow students to work towards outcome “RS2.5- Reads independently a wide range of texts on increasingly challenging topics and justifies own interpretation of ideas, information and events” (BOS NSW, 2007, p. 29). Students can use the resource to obtain information about Colonisation from the website to contribute to discussion and research. This resource also allows students to work towards outcome “RS2.6- Uses efficiently an integrated range of skills and strategies when reading and interpreting written texts” (BOS NSW, 2007, p.31) reading skills can be developed whilst looking at the website as students skim a text for overall meaning using headings and subheadings and relate information in text to accompany graphics. This text will allow students to see an example of a multimodal text and will demonstrate how multimodal texts can be used in order to achieve a purpose through engaging an audience. As Groundwater-Smith, Ewing and Le Cornu (2007, p.144) state multimodal texts such as website provide good opportunities for students to develop a range of literacy skills. __ References: __ Australia History (2006) //Colonisation.// Retrieved September 30, 2010 from: []   Board of Studies NSW (2007) K-6 English Syllabus. Sydney, NSW: Board of Studies NSW Board of Studies (2006) K-6 HSIE Syllabus. Sydney, NSW: Board of Studies NSW Groundswater-Smith, S., Ewing, R. & Le Cornu, R. (2007) Teaching: challenges and dilemmas. 3rd edition. South Melbourne, Victoria: Thomson Learning. Chapter 6: Teaching and learning in a changing world. (pp. 134-150) Rebecca Chan