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The ideas board is your chance to give your opinion about a certain topic that we're interested in. If you have a suggestion for a topic you would like covered you can suggest one here.

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  Lucy - submitted 25/07/2010

  I would like to see a course similar to the History Extension course that is available to NSW Year 12 students. This course is particularly useful for students who plan to continue with tertiary study, as it has a huge focus on developing and producing an independent historiographical project that conforms to proper academic conventions such as referencing. This course also introduces many intellectual concepts and schools of thought that are prominent in all areas of teaching, but particularly in the humanities and creative arts, giving students a very strong head start in their tertiary studies compared to students who do not take these subjects and have to study these often dense and sometimes difficult topics in a much shorter university/TAFE semester rather than a year-long school subject dedicated to the mastery of them. Speaking from my own personal experience with this subject, it was the only useful thing I studied at high school.

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  Kate - submitted 8/07/2010

  I apologise if this has already been posted as I haven't had time to read all of the other posts yet, however I think we need to consider a different form of 'English' class in preparation for further tertiary studies. Learning of authors is all well and good, however it does not help when it comes to university study, unless you are taking an English major. I found it a huge shock when starting university with the main aspects of academic writing that seem so simple now - referencing, essay writing, and the differences between essays/reports/lab reports/case studies. Yes, we wrote essays in high school but they were not nearly as in depth and very different to what is expected at university. I had used bibliographies before, as well as footnotes, but had never had to worry about referencing styles and in-text referencing. Things which I picked up on eventually, but could easily be incorporated into high school curriculums and would allow future university students to be prepared for what is ahead.

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  Anonymous - submitted 5/07/2010

  I believe that the school curriculum should place more emphasis on social, political and global issues, such as extreme poverty, hunger, climate change, health. The trend towards globalisation means that future generations will be living in a global village, where our actions will impact across the globe, for example, it is the developing countries that will suffer the blunt of a changing climate. I, for one, know that I did not learn anything of the sort during my time at school. It is crucial that the youths of Australia are educated and made aware of these issues and how our actions will fit within the bigger global context, not just a national one.

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  Tamara - submitted 3/07/2010

  I believe that English and History need to be seriously refreshed. English still focuses on the likes of Shakespeare. I believe I studied at least 3 of his plays throughout high school, however to this day, it has not come of use. I believe more modern authors should be analysed, which will in turn, encourage the active participation of students. Additionally, being a university student myself, the ability of my fellow students to spell has appalled me. I went to a low socio-economic school, and my spelling ability is more often than not better than those who went to private schools. I point this out, as it is evident that this issue is across the board. Throughout my schooling career in QLD, Australian History,was not focused on enough. Learning about the famous battles of the world wars should definitely be focused on more, as the diggers are slowly passing away, the legacy of freedom, will be left for the younger generations to respect and remember. As for Information Technology, I believe it should be imperitive that all students complete computer courses throughout their entire school career. Word processing skills are important in any job, and having these skills will aid not only those going to University, but those who pursue a career straight out of school. Online classrooms are a great method for interactive teaching and learning, as I have learnt at university. This would be beneficial for those who need extra tutoring with math and science etc, at home.

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  Annie - submitted 29/06/2010

  I haven't managed to look at all of it yet, but the I'm not sure about the English bit. What is 'Essential English'? Is it to be considered an extension subject, or more of a foundation/ basics? Looking at the draft, I can't work it out. I'm currently studying year 11 in Victoria with VCE, and am studying Literature and English Language. I'm a bit disappointed that there doesn't appear to be an eguivalent of English Language, which basically looks at the science and history behind the English language- why we speak the way we do, how we speak, how words come about, accents, linguistics, and so forth, and I think that it's an important alternative for those of a more scientific bent. As English is otherwise very much an arts/ humanities kind of subject, there are a large number of people who would be rather disillusioned otherwise. Anyway, still looking at other bits- would like a wider variety of history, and particuarly 'Australian History' as a subject, as well as more Geography, as I think others have mentioned, with history- maybe SOSE rather than history. Anyway, will keep looking- still am really looking forward to having a nationwide curricula.

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  Catherine - submitted 29/06/2010

  As a NSW high school student, I feel that the National Curriculum is a fantastic initiative which will allow for unity in teaching between the states and also insure that student’s nationwide reach the same standards and uniformity in terms of the content covered in subjects.
  In relation to the development of the curriculum and my experiences, I think the history course needs to be addressed from a fresh approach. More emphasis needs to be placed on a ‘broader study’ of the area of interest, rather than just the current ‘in-depth’ approach to teaching a specific historical event. Personally, I would prefer this method of teaching as it allows student to gain a greater overview of the area of study instead of just narrowing the study down to a specific event, with only limited historical information and perspectives available. I also feel it is important that the history curriculum is developed with recent events and the future in mind – this is especially important for the Australian History subject.
  In terms of the development of other subject areas, it is important that the curriculum involves ‘hands on learning experiences’ through the suggestion of specific case studies or excursions that could be undertaken to the benefit of students. With the assistance of technology, this idea could allow video conferencing or email interactivity between schools and other educational organisations. I very much support the idea of an ICT continuum being developed.

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  Darren - submitted 29/06/2010

  Hello, I believe that the Australian curriculum should incorporate more historical aspects into its society and environment programme. I think that it should include aspects of history such as military heritage, for example, the Anzacs; the history of sport, including the Olympics; information about past rulers of important nations and armies; and the monstrosities that have occurred in the past, for example, Pol Pot's and Hitler's regime. This are all interesting topics and should be made available to upper primary and the younger years of high school, rather than just in the latter part of schooling. It would make lessons at school far more interesting and provide the students with a vast variety of knowledge. What we learn in the current society and environment curriculum is not interesting and rather tiresome, not allowing me to enjoy this topic. Finally, Australia is falling behind in this aspect of the curriculum, as other countries around the globe have intergrated a wider range of topics for their students to study; therefore, I believe that we should enhance ours.
  
  Thank you for taking my opinion into consideration.

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  Hannah - submitted 29/06/2010

  I think that Australain schools should have a subject choice of geography and history though out years 6,7,8 and 9. This subjects would be in term modules and classed as one subect with 2 parts. It would include reserch of the world wars, history of different cultures around the world, studying the world map and monuments, looking at national parks and wonders while learning about them.
  
  Other countries around the world study these subjects from even younger year levels so i think that Australia is falling behind and that our knowledge of the history about other countries and geography is lacking. I beleive that student will enjoy these subjects as they are something different.
  
  Thankyou for taking my ideas into consideration, Hannah

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