At the heart of change : teachers and studies in Asia

Abstract

This Doctor of Education (EdD) focuses on the professional development of primary and secondary school teachers in Studies of Asia Across the Curriculum. Studies of Asia gained currency in Australian schools with the establishment of the Asia Education Foundation (AEF) in the early 1990s and took more extensive hold as a result of the Commonwealth National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools (NALSAS) Strategy from 1996 to 2004. The EdD comprises two parts. Part A consists of an historical narrative of my personal journey as a state and national leader in Studies of Asia and an account of the impact of that journey on the teaching profession. It also includes three published refereed journal papers that were presented at a state or national conference, and one paper published in the refereed proceedings of a national conference. The contents of Part A focus on documenting, evaluating and critiquing key professional learning programs for teachers, including Asia in-country experiences, such as study tours and exchanges, that were funded by the AEF, NALSAS and schooling jurisdictions. Part A uses a mixed methods approach, following Hoepfl's (1997) injunction to discover "the meaning events have for the individuals who experience them". Based on these analyses, Part A argues that teachers are pivotal to bringing about enduring, authentic change in the area of Studies of Asia. At the heart of such change, in line with Shulman's (1987) concept of pedagogical content knowledge, is quality professional teacher learning that involves both pedagogical expertise and knowledge of Asian societies and cultures. Studies of Asia professional learning programs for teachers also need to accommodate the wide variation of professional and personal interests, needs and motivations amongst teacher participants. Part B of the portfolio features a substantial body of original curriculum and teaching resources for schools and professional development materials for teachers that I developed either as principal or collaborating writer. This body of work applies the research, scholarship and theoretical arguments about teachers and teacher professional development presented in Part A to the development of practical, educational resources to meet the needs of teachers, school and curriculum leaders in implementing Studies of Asia Across the Curriculum.

Date of Award	2009
Original language	English