Summary+of+Article+-+Effective+practice+in+Civics+and+Citizenship+Education

=Summary of the Article "Effective practises in Civics and Citizenship Education".=

A guide for pre-service teachers to navigate the Civics and Citizenship Education Website
This is a detailed article which gives a lot of valuable information for pre-service teachers.

Part 1: **An overview of Civics and Citizenship Education (CCE)**
This section discusses the power point presentation that can be downloaded from the national Government Civics and Citizenship Education website (www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au). The power point presentation aims to:
 * Introduce pre-service teachers to the field of CCE
 * Clarify why CE is important
 * Showcase diverse ways that CCE programs can be organised and implemented in schools

Part 2: **Exploring Civics and Citizenship Education on the Web: CC WebQuest for Pre-service Teachers.**
This section of the article gives a very thought, step-by-step explanation of how to navigate a WebQuest on the Civics and Citizenship website designed for pre-service teachers.


 * What is a WebQuest?** It challenges students to explore the Web for information. it includes and introduction, a process student's work through, tasks, resources and a conclusion. Example of a WebQuest called //Treaty Yeh! Treaty Now!!// can be found at http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/ddemo/doc/teacher.doc


 * Why use a WebQuest?** To provide student-centred and inquiry -based activities . Excellent way to integrate the internet into the classroom.


 * Aim of this WebQuest**: To develop a list of useful links and notes about teaching and learning strategies provided on the Civics and Citizenship Education website and to create a resource booklet of teaching and learning resources to assist them in developing engaging and effective CCE teaching and learning programs.


 * WebQuest Format:**
 * 1. Home page: "Welcome "and "What is Happening"**


 * 2. National Activities:**
 * Civics and Citizenship Education National Forum 2008
 * Dimensions of 'citizenship' in civics and citizenship materials. Go to http://www.civicsnandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/cce_forum_2008,25038.html which links to "From curriculum to community: the impact of Civics and Citizenship Education"
 * National statements for learning Civics and Citizenship
 * School excursions to Canberra
 * Other national activities


 * 3. National Assessment:** National Assessment Program: Civics and Citizenship Years 6 and 10 report 2007.


 * 4. School Case Studies:** For examples of effective teaching and learning for CCE in Australian schools go to http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/school_case_studies,9019.html


 * 5. Discovering Democracy Units:** Go to http://www.curriculum.edu.au/ddunits/index.htm and read the section "About DDU", then click on "The Units".


 * 6. Democracy Rules: an electoral education resource:** An online resource to help teachers confidently lead students in electoral education. Includes a 'how to' guide for running an election in schools. Go to http://www.civicsnandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/aec_resources


 * 7. CCE Resources:** Provides practical, useful and effective ideas for CCE. Go to http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/cce_resources,9030.html
 * For __expert view__ on many Civics and Citizenship topics go to http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/default.asp?id=9033
 * __Civics and Citizenship 'Links'__: The first section of these links are to websites that are useful for teachers by providing teaching and learning ideas and resourced for developing civics and citizenship knowledge and understanding of civics institutions and processes. Go to http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/default.asp?id=9034
 * "__Links for Developing Citizenship: Dispositions and Skills for Participation__": The second section of these links provide teaching and learning ideas and resource about developing citizenship. . Go to http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/default.asp?id=9034


 * 8. Concluding the WebQuest:** By the end of the WebQuest you should be able to answer the main question - //How can I develop effective teaching and learning strategies for CCE and what are some of the most important strategies that should be included in a CCE curriculum?//

//**NB:** I recommended that you look at the article and follow the step-by-step directions exactly in order to gain maximum benefits from the WebQuest.//

1. Student Engagement and Participation
It is vital that CCE actively engage students. One way do this is to form **Student Action Teams** (SATs) that are "teams of students who, as part of their school curriculum, adopt a community issue that they care passionately about, research it, decide what needs to be changed or improved and take action to achieve that".
 * **What is the focus of Student Engagement and Participation?**

Active citizenship within schools must include and link both curriculum and governance approaches. Students should share in making curriculum decisions and discuss, debate and decide of issues of importance in real-world exercise that extend beyond the classroom. A three pronged approach is required and all of these aspects must be combined - · Student representation on school decision-making bodies · Students' own organisations and structures · Participatory approaches within the curriculum and classroom For more information look at 'Thirty-three curriculum approaches : enhancing effective student participation', **Connect**, no.116, April 1999. viewed at http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/default/asp?id=9345
 * **Making links to CCE programs:**

· Holdsworth, R, 2006, **Student action teams: Implementing Productive Practices in Primary and Secondary School Classrooms**//.// · Holdsworth, R, editor. **Connect**, a bi-monthly magazine, supporting active student participation - in governance and curriculum areas - in primary and secondary schools throughout Australia.
 * **Resources for teaching and learning:** Many print and online resources to support engagement and participation. For example -

2. Connecting Civics and Citizenship Education to History Education
· **Identity:** The diverse and multiple identities of a multicultural nation · **Perspectives:** The continent, the region and the world · **Thinking and linking:** Connecting the past, present and the future · **Historical literacy:** Essential and specific skills
 * **What is the focus of History Education?**

The National Centre for History Education identifies the following links between History Education and CCE. For further information refer to http://hyperhistory.org · **Citizenship:** Preparing young Australians to be active and informed citizens **NB:** The National Centre for History Education (http://hyperhistory.org) states that learning history should go beyond the written text and that students should engage with artefacts, pictures, buildings and landscapes.
 * **Making links to CCE programs:**
 * **Resources for teaching and learning:** Many print and online resources to support connecting CCE to History Education.

3. Connecting Civics and Citizenship Education to Geography Education
· The study of **Places** - their environments, populations, economies and communities · How and why these places are changing For more information and valuable resources for teachers go to http://www.agta.asn.au/resources/index.htm The Australian Geography Teachers' Association produced an updated position paper on the importance and place of geography in 2009. The emphases of human and social geography discussed have clear links to citizenship education. Download paper from http://www.ngc.org.au/report/Towards_a_nat_geog_curric_Final.pdf
 * **What is the focus of Geography Education?**
 * **Making Links to CCE:**
 * **Resources for teaching and learning:** Many print and online resources to support connecting CCE to Geography Education.

4. Connecting Civics and Citizenship Education to Economics and Business Education
· Understanding how resources are allocated and how economic systems operate · Key skills associated with economic reasoning and interpretation · The role of enterprise, enterprise skills and entrepreneurship in the production process and in the construction, development and prosperity of an economic system · Development of financial and consumer literacies that develop student's abilities to make informed and effective decisions regarding the use and management of money · Knowledge of the origins and key features of the Australian legal system, exploring rights and responsibilities, principles and values including freedom of speech, equality before the law and human rights.
 * **What is the focus of Economics and Business Education?** Key curriculum perspectives associated with Economics and Business Education are:

Understanding the nature of Australia's economic system and practising important skills such as making responsible consumer decisions ( financial literacy) and being enterprising promotes enhanced CCE outcomes. · **ESSI Money -** An online financial literacy teaching resource in a game format and is based on the concepts of Earning, Saving, Spending and Investing. For more information go to http://www.essimoney.com.au
 * **Making Links to CCE Programs:**
 * **Resources for teaching and learning:** Many print and online resources to support connecting CCE to Economics and Business Education. For example -

5. Connecting Civics and Citizenship Education to Political, Legal and Electoral Education
· An understanding of Australia's democratic system of government, law and civics life · Capacity to clarify and critically examine values and principles that underpin Australia's democracy · The knowledge, skills and values that support active citizenship and the capacity to act as informed and responsible citizens · An appreciation for the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic life For more information go to http://civicsand citizenship.edu.au/national_statements_of_learning.8990.html Political, legal and electoral education perspectives are important elements of any CCE program. Teaching and learning include mock elections, visits to state and federal parliament, local councils and law courts provide students with authentic learning experiences. · Discovering Democracy units - http://www.curriculum.edu.au/ddunits/units/units.htm · Parliament@Work website accessed through http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au or at http://www.parliament.curriculum.edu.au
 * **What is the focus of Political, Legal and Electoral Education?** The curriculum should provide students with the opportunity to develop:
 * **Making Links to CCE Programs:**
 * **Resources for teaching and learning:** Many print and online resources to support connecting CCE to Political, legal and electoral education. For example -

6. Connecting Civics and Citizenship Education to the studies of the Environment and Sustainability **.**
· Education **about** the environment · Education **in** the environment · Education **for** the environment · Develop an ethic of personal responsibility and stewardship towards all aspects of the environment · Participate as active and involved citizens in building a sustainable future · **The National Environmental Education Statement** (2005) http://www.environment.gov.au/education/publication.sustainable-future.html · Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit: http://www.esdtoolkit.org
 * **What is the focus of Environment and Sustainability Education?**
 * **Making Links to CCE Programs:** The National Environmental Education Statement (2005) include developing student's ability to do many things including:
 * **Resources for teaching and learning:** Many print and online resources to support connecting CCE to Environment and Sustainability Education. For example -

7. Connecting Civics and Citizenship Education to Indigenous Education.
· Understand and value the history and cultures of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people · Bridging of the cultural gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through generating greater awareness and understanding · Develop more equitable outcomes for Indigenous students
 * **What is the focus of Indigenous Education?**
 * **Making Links to CCE Programs:** Indigenous issues and Reconciliation remain key issues for CCE and in Australian public life.

· Indigenous education resources in Discovering Democracy units (Curriculum Corporation, 1998) Go to http://www.civicsand citizenship.edu.au  · Study guides available on the website include: //Rabbit Proof Fence, Stolen Generation, The first Australians// series.
 * **Resources for teaching and learning:** Many print and online resources to support connecting CCE to Indigenous Education. For example -

**8. Connecting Civics and Citizenship Education and** Studies of Asia **.**
· //The National Statement for Engaging young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools// (Curriculum Corporation 2006) is available at http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/pdf/engaging_statement.pdf
 * **What is the focus of the __Studies of Asia__?** //The National Statement for Engaging young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools// (Curriculum Corporation 2006) expresses a commitment that Australia develop the knowledge, skills, values and understanding to live in and contribute effectively to a global society, and to work in a global economy.
 * **Making Links to CCE Programs:** //The National Statement for Engaging young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools// (Curriculum Corporation 2006) noted that Australian citizens belong to many kinds of communities at the local, national, regional and global levels and that the key to civic harmony will be respecting and valuing diversity. International events, particularly those in Asia, have become a powerful entry point into understanding this domain.
 * **Resources for teaching and learning:** Many print and online resources to support connecting CCE to Studies of Asia. For example -

**9. Connecting Civics and Citizenship Education and** Global Education.
· Enabling young people to participate in shaping a better shared future for the world. It places particular emphasis on developing relationships with our neighbours in the Asia - Pacific and Indian Ocean regions · Promotes open-mindedness learning to new thinking about the world and a predisposition to take action for change.
 * **What is the focus of the Global Education?**

· Global Education Website - provides teaching resourses that support the integration of global perspectives across the curriculum. Go to http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au
 * **Resources for teaching and learning:** Many print and online resources to support connecting CCE to Global Education. For example -

Conclusion : Making connections between CCE and other related learning areas is vital in the achievement of more effective student understanding.

//**NB****:** I recommended that you look at the article and the list of the resources in order to gain maximum benefits from intergrating Civics and Citizenship Education across the curriculum.//