8 Aboriginal Ways of Learning

  

The challenge in teaching for Indigenous learning styles begins with ourselves. How well we know our own perspectives and how we cater for others through our pedagogy is vital to the success of our student's understanding and future applications of the knowledge.

8 Ways is a fantastic site that not only documents Aboriginal Pedagogy but has useful resources which show ways this has been implemented by teachers around Australia. There are examples from a wide range of Key Learning Areas, from both Indigenous and Mainstream teachers.

'8 Ways' is built around the 8 Aboriginal Ways of Learning:

Tell a story. Make a plan. Think and do. Draw it. Take it outside. Try a new way. Watch first, then do. Share it with others

1. We connect through the stories we share.
2. We picture our pathways of knowledge.
3. We see, think, act, make and share without words.
4. We keep and share knowledge with art and objects.
5. We work with lessons from land and nature.
6. We put different ideas together and create new knowledge.
7. We work from wholes to parts, watching and then doing.
8. We bring new knowledge home to help our mob.

I always begin planning a unit with this in mind: how explicit am I being with the personal and wider narrative? How much do include applications for the students and family connections? How much will this connect with real life purposes and contexts?

In our Circle model we meet students from communities and we hear their stories for the future; we then teach the content so it connects back to their real story; as they leave the program and use their skills & new knowledge for their community life - the Circle closes!

It's worth exploring 8 Ways and discover how you could implement it - it's one of my favourite 'bookmarks'!

Impacts on Indigenous Students

Can't see the video? Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCEllYo94jQ

Have you ever thought about the difference in life our students face? There are many impacts on learning that are easy to overlook because we focus on our own experience.

This video by Menzies has been playing on TV over the last few months and is a refreshing take on the statistics we normally read in reports.

It was Erik Jensen who identified these three primary reasons for lack of student motivation:

1. Negative experiences
2. Environmental factors
3. Student's relationship with the future

When you get a minute, check out the video and then think about what challenges your students may be facing!

'Working Together'

'Working Together' is a series of 5 Cross Cultural training resources I developed in 2009. These are designed for teachers new to the NT who are looking to develop their understanding of how to work effectively as a Non-Indigenous person in Indigenous Ed.

'Working Together' slides include real life examples of what you could expect in the class, tips from experienced teachers as well as general worldview & cultural awareness.

Topics include:

• Non Verbal Communication
• Eye Contact
• Feeling ‘Shame’
• Learning Styles
• Cultural Relationships
• Skin Groups
• Promoting Understanding
• Ways of Seeing Things
• Two Worldviews
• Our Different Approaches
• Enjoying the Journey
• Classroom Tips

If you are interested in the 'Working Together' series feel free to email me!