Learning outcomes

The Voices of Australia education module has been designed to assist students develop:

• an ability to apply the concepts of human rights and responsibilities to their daily lives,
• an understanding of how human rights instruments are applied in Australian law and society,
• an understanding of issues that concern different groups in the Australian community, such as migrants, refugees and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
• literacy and comprehension skills, through listening, speaking, reading and responding to various media and text,
• research skills and an ability to communicate effectively with others,
• skills in describing, reflecting, interpreting, analysing, evaluating and higher order thinking.

Specifically, the module was designed using an inquiry based approach to learning.

Key learning areas

The teaching and learning activities have been designed to address the outcomes in all subjects related to Civics and Citizenship across Australia (including history, society and
environment and humanities).

Links to English and Language have also been made across all state and territory curricula, particularly where there is a need for use of non-fiction materials. The activities have only been linked to curriculum for compulsory school outcomes, though many activities in the module could easily be used and adapted for subjects at the post compulsory level. See the curriculum links for further information.

Sample program overview

Outcome

Students will understand the changing rights and responsibilities of people in Australian society over time.

Inquiry question

How have the rights and responsibilities of Australians changed during the last 50 years?

Inquiry phase	Focus question	Type of learning and teaching activity	Activity in Voices of Australia: Education Module
Tuning in	What are your rights and responsibilities in Australia?	Discussion game Vocabulary building	Activity 1: Find someone who… Activity 8: Find-a-word
	What are the rights and responsibilities of those in our society?	Role play	Activity 2: Character profiles
Finding out	Have the rights and responsibilities of Australians changed during the last 50 years?	Mapping and timeline activities Listening exercise	Activity 3: Mapping character profiles and using a timeline Activity 4: Listening to Voices of Australia
Sorting out	Who and what protects our rights and responsibilities?	Reading comprehension (includes activity questions and essay topics)	Activity 5: Legal investigation
Going further	What are some examples of how rights can be protected?	source discussion and analysis	Activity 5: Cases studies, the origins of modern human rights laws, international law.
Making connections	How can we present the stories of different Australians to reflect our rights and responsibilities?	Research project	Activity 6: Researching and presenting stories of family and community history
Taking action	How can we promote rights and responsibilities?	Poetry/song writing Media development	Activity 7: Creative expression