| AQF Level |
Level 8 Graduate Diploma |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
This Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Education gives educators and policy advisers a detailed understanding of the historical, contemporary and global issues faced by Indigenous Australia. Macquarie is the only university to offer such a degree in Australia.
The Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Education develops the skills and knowledge to provide a culturally appropriate education to Indigenous Australian students, as well as teach non-Indigenous students about Indigenous issues, people and culture.
Students will learn about the policies, practices and issues relating to Indigenous education, taking account of how Indigenous histories have shaped contemporary context and thinking.
Distinctive features:
1. Meets the NSW Institute of Teacher’s professional development requirements
2. Offered online
3. Experience a program that includes Indigenous Australian perspectives and knowledge
provides valuable knowledge to help close the gap in Indigenous education
4. Provides global context by exploring other First Nation people’s experiences with education systems
5. The only degree of its kind in Australia.
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| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
1. Reflect on and synthesis the impact colonialisation has had on education opportunities for Indigenous Australians (K,T,E,A)
2. Describe and differentiate between a range of Western and Indigenous learning strategies (K,T,E,A)
Skills and Capabilities
3. Conceive, produce and deliver appopriate teaching resources (K,T,I,C,L)
4. Collaborate effectively with members of the Indigenous community (C,E,A,J,L)
5. Document, describe, and evaluate various approaches to Indigenous Education (K,T,P,C)
Application of knowledge and skills
6. Apply knowledge of current education practices and how this n has impacted the lives of First Nations people throughout the world and be able to apply this knowledge to current eductaion practices (K,T,P,I,E,A)
7. Conduct professional research appropriate to Indigenous Education (K,T,P,E,A,J)
8. Produce and deliver strategies to effectively teach Indigenous Australians in a culturally appropriate manner (K,T,I,C,E,A,J,L)
9. Critically evaluate contemporary approaches to Indigenous Education (K,T) |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
The Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Education is a fully on-line program. This program builds on the Graduate Certificate of Indigenous Education, further developing advanced knowledge and skills for professional practice and further learning at tertiary level. Teaching for all units of study is via recorded lectures using audio and personal capture video. Learning is focused around the weekly lectures, with both required and supplemental readings and for most units a weekly online activity to foster regular engagement. Student feedback indicates that students value the weekly online assessment task, for both keeping them 'on track' and because they can view other student responses once they have completed their own. Teaching is carefully scaffolded so that learners are encouraged to listen to the weekly recorded lectures which provide an introduction and context for the weekly readings. Teachers also build support for online learning into these units, recognising that learners may have varying levels of online experience and capability. Links to ilearn guides and resources are made explicit and students must complete an introductory activity which involves using the online post facility. The unit readings are available to students through MQ library via ereserve. Each unit has:
• an ilearn site with discussion boards to enhance communication between students (discussion)
• a weekly online ‘lecture’ delivered via Powerpoint presentation (acquisition)
• weekly inquiry questions to which students post written responses (inquiry/production)
• open access to student responses to weekly inquiry questions (sharing/collaboration)
• critical engagement with primary and secondary evidence through weekly readings (acquisition)
• reflection activities to enhance connection between theory and professional practice (practice/reflection)
• completion of a range of assessment tasks intended to enhance and develop knowledge and skills and foster application in a range of professional settings. |
| Assessment |
The Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Studies is designed to build on the introductory learning, begun in the Graduate Certificate of Indigenous Education, to foster advanced study and practice in Indigenous Educational contexts. Assessment tasks, in the units in this program, foster graduates’ ability to apply knowledge and skills in autonomous practice, and exercise judgement, as both a practitioner and learner. The assessment includes a variety of written, presentation style and creative tasks designed to cater to a range of learning styles and strengths and to enhance existing skills. Assessment tasks are focused on application of discipline knowledge to professional practice in Indigenous Education settings. In most units marking rubrics are given to students in advance of their assessments being due, to guide student expectation and learning. Core units require students to post written responses to weekly inquiry questions. These questions foster reflection and aim to integrate theory and practice, with a regular cycle of grade feedback and peer learning through open access to all student responses. Most assessment tasks encourage learners to apply developing theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills, and judgement to their specific educational context. Assessment tasks focus student learning but are also designed to assess individual achievement against both unit level and program level learning outcomes.
A range of assessment tasks are utilized, for example:
• Research essays
• Digital storytelling
• Presentations for professional, general and Indigenous community audiences,
• Short written tasks requiring exercise of judgement and application of knowledge
Written assessments encourage students to acquire, and enhance their foundational knowledge as well to think critically about their Indigenous professional context and consider how to work effectively in those contexts. The creative assessments (digital storytelling, ebook production for example) allow students to create resources for application in their classrooms, or other professional contexts, drawing on their theoretical knowledge but also fostering their growing sense of autonomy as advanced practitioners. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.
Information can be found at: https://mq.edu.au/rpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/wellbeing |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Most students who enrol in this program will be qualified teachers looking to improve their current skillset in terms of the knowledge and application of Indigenous Education. Too few Australian teachers have any substantial skills in working with Indigenous Australian students, meaning that Indigenous Education graduates will be well-placed to fill this gap. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
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