HERITAGE EDUCATION

Kids Click on to Heritage Every NSW school student will soon have the chance to learn about their heritage by using the latest computer technology. A curriculum materials package launched last month by the Deputy Premier, Dr Andrew Refshauge, and Parliamentary Secretary and MP for Bankstown, Tony Stewart, representing the Minister for Education, provides an up-to-the-minute teaching resource for the new Human Society and its Environment K-6 school syllabus. Deputy Premier, Dr Andrew Refshauge and children of Ryde Public School at the launch of the new Curriculum materials. Photograph by Michael Anderson, Paramount Studios. While learning about the past, students will develop their computer skills through a range of activities, from compiling a mini-database of important objects to navigating a CD-ROM to research information on 14 of the State's most important heritage places. A third unit focusing on historical change in one geographical area will also develop literacy skills. Launching the new curriculum materials, Dr Refshauge said the package was a critical step to ensure that the education system and the school curriculum contribute to the process of increasing understanding of Australia's heritage. "We need to feel that heritage belongs to us all and is important to us all, otherwise it will be left up to the experts. These materials are the first step towards giving our young people the skills to help them value heritage in their adult lives" said Dr Refshauge. Education and heritage professionals attending the launch at Customs House in Sydney had the opportunity to view the new materials. Speaking at the launch, Mrs Hazel Hawke, Chair of the Heritage Council of NSW, said the package was a vital tool for developing a rising generation with a greater respect for their local heritage places. "Young people leaving school today are well aware of the importance and fragility of the natural environment. We want to make sure the new school generation develops a similar interest and concern for their cultural heritage." The materials are a major teaching resource integrated with the new Human Society and its Environment K-6 curriculum, released earlier this year. By using computer technology students, will connect with places from the past in a lively and interactive way. "The State Heritage Inventory Internet database provides a wealth of information on the State's 20,000 listed heritage items," said Dr Refshauge. "These materials will help to guide students towards that resource, as well as suggesting creative ways they can use the information it contains." Sue Field, Senior Curriculum Adviser, HSIE, reads Tessa's Story to children of Ryde Public School. Photograph by Michael Anderson, Paramount Studios. Dr Refshauge praised the collaboration between the Heritage Office and the Department of Education and Training which produced the package. "This new resource is an excellent example of government agencies sharing their skills and resources to produce a cutting edge product," he said. A secondary component is currently being developed by the Heritage Office, NSW Department of School Education and Training and the Board of Studies. It will provide teachers with a useful professional development resource delivered via the internet. This resource will showcase state-of-the-art heritage studies and ask more sophisticated heritage questions which build on the materials used in the K-6 project as well as the State Heritage Register. The materials will be available for use in all NSW primary schools at the beginning of Term 4 this year. For further information, contact Murray Brown at the Heritage Office.

What are the new resources like? Investigating the heritage CD-ROM at the launch of the new curriculum materials are Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Tony Stewart; Chief Education Officer, HSIE Curriculum Development, Mr John Gore; and Deputy Premier, Dr Andrew Refshauge with Chair of the Heritage Council, Mrs Hazel Hawke. Photograph by Michael Anderson, Paramount Studios. Treasures: By entering information about themselves and things they value on a very simple database, students have an opportunity to think about their personal heritage. This innovative resource introduces very young children to computer technology. (Stage 1 - kindergarten to grade 2) It didn't always look like this: This resource teaches Grade 3 and 4 students how to investigate a site and then encourages them to undertake their own research of the local area. Students are led through the investigative process by a delightful narrative titled Tessa's Story. The resource uses the Penrith Lakes area as a model for exploring sequences of occupation. It introduces the important concept of the layering of history and will help students understand how time, people and place interact. (Stage 2 - grade 3 and 4) Sites and Scenes: This fascinating CD-ROM investigates 14 very different heritage sites listed on the State Heritage Register, including a 19th century Chinese country store; the wreck of the Dunbar, site of Sydney's greatest shipping tragedy; the massive industrial complex at Eveleigh Railway workshops; Mutawintji National Park which contains the main ceremonial place for Aboriginal people in far western NSW; and Luna Park where for 50 years Sydneysiders went "just for fun". A wide range of sources are used to tell the stories of each site. Students are then challenged by a number of scenarios and asked to consider the future uses of the sites. The aim is to give young people an understanding of the complexity of heritage issues and to encourage them to think creatively about long term solutions. (Stage 3 - grade 5 and 6) The resources will be distributed in October to State and independent primary schools in NSW.