Quality Teaching and Learning for Indigenous Learners

Dr Chris MatthewsChair, ATSIMA

Senior Lecturer, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University

Quality Teaching and Learning

• Culturally responsive pedagogy;

– Indigenous learners are more vulnerable to Bad pedagogy, Good pedagogy will benefit all learners;

– The secret: the ability to link principles of learning with deep understand of (and appreciation for) culture.

G.Ladson-Billings (2014) Culturally Relevant Pedagogy 2.0: a.k.a the Remix, Harvard Educational Review, Spring, 84(1).

What is Mathematics?

Reality Maths

Abstraction

Creative

Critical Reflection

Symbols

Cultural Bias

Goompi Model: Keeping Connections

Reality Maths

Abstraction

Creative

Critical Reflection

Symbols

Cultural Bias

My Promise…..

• NSW STEM Camp

– Collaboration between NSW AECG, NSW DEC and ATSIMA;

• Garma Maths: Yirrkala Community School

– Two way learning

• 2014 Conference

NSW STEM CAMP

• 130 Indigenous school students from across NSW;

• Multi-age group: Years 5 – 10;

• Travelled in from a huge radius

– Boggabilla, Bourke, Brewarrina, Collarenebri, Coonamble, Inverell, Moree, Narromine, Taree, Toronto, Walgett and Wilcannia;

NSW STEM CAMP

• How are we being culturally responsive?– Community where involved in a meaningful way (NSW

AECG);– Indigenous academics/professionals where involved

throughout the program• The maths of fire (Assoc. Prof Jason Sharples);• Quantifying the value of resources (Dr Cass Hunter);• Fractals (Prof. Rowena Ball)• Linear Equations (Dr Chris Matthews)

– Other experiences• Robotics workshop (FIRST, Macquarie University)• Engineering workshop (Engineer without Borders)

Goompi Model: Keeping Connections

Reality Maths

Abstraction

Creative

Critical Reflection

Symbols

Cultural Bias

NSW STEM CAMP: Growing Patterns

• Why is this culturally responsive pedagogy?

– Allowing students to express their understanding;

– Making Connection between reality, patterns and mathematics: two way connection;

– Allowing students to create for themselves;

NSW STEP CAMP: Growing Patterns

Yirrkala Community School: Garma Maths

• ACARA: Indigenous cross curriculum priority

– had a “content elaboration” referring to kinship;

– this came from Yirrkala: Garma Maths;

• Kathy McMahon, Banbapuy Whitehead, Yalmay Yunupingu, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr;

• Stuart Bramston (Principal);

• The story……

Djeṯ class Brainstorm

× ÷ − = +

groups

miṯtji

(clan)

left over? (take away)

marrama

djaw’yun

(take it)

manaŋi

(steal it)

number

Ḻakama

nhämuny

ŋayi(How

many is

this?)

together

rrambaŋi nhina

(sit together)

waŋgany

manapan

(all together)

(Eagle)

2 x 5

waŋgaguma

number two ga

Miṯtjinhämuny?

= 10

5 x 3 =

groups

Miṯtji

How many?

nhämuny?

Ḻakarama

dhäwu

(Storytelling)

= 15

ATSIMA 2014 Conference

• Main themes that emerged from the conference:

– Culture and Identity;

– Leadership;

– Transition;

– Investment;

– Quality teaching.

ATSIMA 2016 Conference

• Value us, Value our education, Value our future;

• Please register your interest at www.atsima.com

• Hope to see you there!!!!!