SIT Curriculum

Overview | Processes | Key Values and Concepts | Strands | Outcomes

Overview

The overall goal of the module to increase metacognition regarding the implications of an information-technology based infrastructure, within a social context.

The course is designed for Year 10. It is based on modular structure which requires student to develop a response to a fantasy 'scenario', in order that a broad base of inter-connections may be explored. This response is crafted as a group-response project. This study aims to promote the five processes of investigation, creation, participation, communication and reflection. A variety of methods to stimulate these five processes and related concepts are included in the project schema.

Processes

Investigation is explored through examination of primary and secondary evidence and field study. An understanding of uniqueness in human events (in particular the way in which social visions vary) is developed through both group processes and the breadth of implications created by the 'fantasy scenario'. Investigative processes are included as initial and continuing components.

Creation ability is encouraged through the need for individual initiative and lateral thought, in order to visualise outcomes and implications of any scenario.

Communication skills are promoted through the dynamic of group enterprise and additionally the communication skills of clarification and argument, as well as consideration of audience, are brought to the fore through the use of a 'project report' as a concluding module outcome.

Participation skills are similarly encouraged through through the need for negotiation, respect, tolerance, equality and advocacy as part of a groups-processes.

Reflection is encouraged throughout the module and metacognitive processes of introspection, interpretation, exploration of context and development of preferred visions are stimulated. The vehicle for these processes again revolves around students developing a response to a 'scenario' in which technological infrastructure is threatened.

Key Values and Concepts include:

Social Justice

equity, access, social sustainability

Ecological and Economic Sustainability

interdependence, ecological integrity, ethics

Peace and Belonging

hope, cooperation

Democratic Processes

constitutional government

Summary

The SOSE key values and concepts can be included in any area of investigation, depending on how broadly or how intimately a subject is explored. This module deliberately constructs a radical scenario in order to stimulate students into considering broad ideas, and as consequence, many issues are raised. Therefore, the following SOSE key values and concepts should be read as possible focal areas and not as either exclusive, or areas students are required to focus on.

Strands:

Strands

Module 1: Time, Continuity and Change

1. evidence over time

2. changes and continuities

3. people and contributions

4. causes and effects

5. heritages

Module 2: Systems, Resources and Power

1. interactions between ecological and other systems

2. economy and business

3. participation in decision making

4. citizenship and government

5. access to power

Module 3: Culture and Identity

1. cultural diversity

2. cultural perceptions

3. belonging

4. cultural change

5. constructions of identity

Module 4: Place and Space

1. human–environment relationships

2. processes and environments

3. stewardship

4. spatial patterns

5. significance of place

Learning Outcomes:

Module1: Time, Continuity and Change are primary foci as the module explores interactions between ecological and other systems, economy and business, participation in decision-making, citizenship, government and access to power through analysis of key areas of technological dependence and in particular, information technology dependence.

Core Learning Outcome:

TCC 6.2 Students use their own research focus to analyse changes or continuities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Discretionary Learning Outcome:

BY6.3 Students make reference to values and peer-generated visions of preferred futures to suggest how they might contribute to creating better futures.

Module 2: Systems, Resources and Power are explored through consideration of information technology as a recent phenomenon and the social changes that have arisen from it.

Core learning outcomes:

SRP 6.1 Students develop and test a hypothesis related to a relationship between global economic and ecological systems.

SRP 6.3 Students advocate to influence Australia' s role in the future global economies or environments.

SRP 6.4 Students communicate informed interpretations to suggest reforms to an economic, political or legal system.

SRP 6.5 Students apply understandings of social justice and democratic process to suggest ways of improving access to economic, political and legal power.

Discretionary Learning Outcomes

BY6.1 Students predict the consequences of attempts to reform economic, political or ecological systems.

BY6.4 Students propose changes to economic, political or legal systems to make them more democratic and socially just.

BY6.5 Students suggest solutions to problems involving inequitable distributions of power and resources in a global context.

Module 3: Culture and Identity are explored through consideration of the creation of cultural change through technological changes.

Core learning outcomes:

CI 6.1 Students analyse the ways in which various societies inhibit or promote cultural diversity.

CI 6.4 Students describe specific instances of cultural change resulting from government legislation or policies that have impacted on other cultural groups.

Discretionary Learning Outcomes:

BY6.2 Students synthesise quantitative and qualitative data on perceptions of a current cultural issue to develop a community information strategy.

Module 4: Place and Space are explored through consideration of human-environment relationships, especially as they are impacted upon by information technology.

Core learning outcome:

PS 6.4 Student use maps, tables and statistical data to express predictions about the impact of change on environments.

PS 6.5 Students make clear links between their values of peace and sustainability and their preferred vision of a place.

Discretionary Learning Outcome:

BY6.2 Students use modes of delivery appropriate for informing and persuading different audiences, to promote ecologically and economically sustainable futures.