Australian Students' Knowledge and Understanding of Asia: A National Study

Abstract

This paper examines Australian students' knowledge of Asia, and reports on a national survey of Year 5 and 8 students. Knowledge was measured by using a combined set of subtests tailored to each state and territory curriculum and reported in terms of a standards referenced framework. The survey collected data from more than 7000 students in over 300 schools covering all states and territories. It showed that, at the primary level, student knowledge of Asia was related to school policy-related commitment and to the frequency of the teachers' use of resources. In secondary schools, the development of knowledge and understanding of Asia was related to the range of teaching resources drawn upon, as well as the frequency of their use. Commitment to studies of Asia was important and influential, but it seemed not to matter whether this commitment was at a teacher or school level.

Keywords

Asian studies educational practices secondary school curriculum educational assessment primary school curriculum statistical analysis

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