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Museum Conversation Cards - 'cheats for teachers'

Museum Conversation Cards - 'cheats for teachers' #educhat

Greg Sikich, teacher at St Laurence’s College and one of our key members, has put together this excellent resource for teachers, and museum educators to prompt discussions around museum visits… NMA Conversation Cards are a series of conversation prompts to encourage a teacher-guide to have some engaging chats with their students in the exhibition spaces. These conversation starters are crafted to…

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What teachers want - video upload

Last year MAEdQ ran a panel session titled, ‘What Teachers Want from Museum Places’. Qld Musesum and Gallery Services have kindly uploaded the video for us, and here is the link: What Teachers Want Video It was a great evening, well attended, and many insights were gained from a teacher’s perspective. Big thank-you to St Laurences College, South Brisbane for providing their library as a venue.

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What to educators, digital experts and, and museum evaluators talk about when they get together?

What to educators, digital experts and, and museum evaluators talk about when they get together? Sydney #meetday2015

A Round-up Meet day 2015 from the MA national conference #MeetDay2015 Sydney As a prequel to the Museums Australia 2015 conference, on 21 May, a meet day was held, bringing together three special interest groups for the first time in their own forum.  These groups were museum workers in fields of education, digital technologies, and evaluation. Cara Mcleod with our ‘unconference work’. The format…

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What do teachers want from museum spaces?

What do teachers want from museum spaces? Join our panel discussion 22 July 5:30-7:30 St Lawrence's College Sth Bris

Our next professional development event is a panel discussion around teachers wants and needs when they bring students to museum spaces. Often museums make assumptions about what they think schools are looking for – we thought it would be useful to ask the teachers directly.   Education is changing so much, there’s not just the Australian curriculum, but students today have different skills and…

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Our first Professional Development evening in 2015,

Including Indigenous Stories in your Organisation took place on Thursday 5 March at the beautiful heritage pub the Transcontinental Hotel in the City.  The night kicked off with a few hiccups due to crowds heading to a Rugby League game at Suncorp Stadium, which gave opportunity for networking amongst the group whilst the some slight alterations to the venue were ironed out.

Rory O’Connor, Director Yugambeh Museum

Rory O’Connor, Director Yugambeh Museum, led from the front with an inspirational and personal account of his experiences in growing up and working in the Yugambeh Language Region – an area which covers the Gold Coast and Logan City Council regions. Rory spoke respectfully about the influences his ancestors have had on the region and his life with a few poignant comments about keeping language alive, including an important point on oral histories;

“If we don’t tell the stories of our people, they die on our watch”.

Rory is a very passionate advocate for cultural institutions to keeping language alive especially through new technologies. Developed by the Yugambeh Museum, Rory talked about the recently launched – Yugambeh Language App, which is Queensland’s First Aboriginal Language App for Apple & Android.  It was developed based on a dictionary written by Bullumm, also known as John Allen was from the Wangerriburra people whose lands include Mt Tamborine.  The purpose of the App is to re-invigorate use of the traditional language by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members.

In closing Rory discussed some simple ways to engage young people in language and culture, including sparking their interest in poetry.  The Award Winning Write into Art—Gulgun Ngahri Program encourages schools and community to use the App to find suitable words as the inspiration for poetry and art.  Rory’s passion, energy and drive for closing the educational gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians through innovating language programming is an inspiration start to the evening.

Amanda Hayman, Digital Exhibitions Program Officer at kuril dhagun, State Library of Queensland

Next up we had the lovely Amanda Hayman, Digital Exhibitions Program Officer at kuril dhagun, State Library of Queensland. Amanda was very generous in providing some practical insights which include:

A simple acknowledgement

Amanda talked about how she created a simple Acknowledgement poster, designed for the Welcoming Toolkit for the State Library, and was distributed to public libraries across Queensland.  This artwork features a general acknowledgement for libraries to hang within their space as a sign of respect.  The artwork wasn’t appropriate for all communities but it was one example of integrating art to create a welcoming space.

Another example featured in kuril dhagun is a large installation artwork by Aunty Lilla Watson located on Level 1 of the State Library building, guiding you towards kuril dhagun.  Featured with the artwork is the poem:

Beneath the Southern Cross, and the Canopy of the rainforest along the riverbank, the kuril, which still survives here, dug out its nest, and left its tracks. They looked out over the river, the ripples on its surface stirred by the wind and tidal surge, and the fish swimming in the water”

-Lilla Watson, 2006 (Click Here for Lilla Watson Artwork)

Be Visually Welcoming

Amanda talked further about the use of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags as a culturally important tool in engaging Indigenous people.  This is an easy way to show people that it is an inclusive space.

Having local community involved in creating an artwork for the space would be ideal as they take ownership and it creates a sense of pride.  They are also more likely to bring their family and friends to the space.

Do Traditional Welcomes

A Welcome to Country is a protocol where Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners welcome others to the land of their ancestors.  For Queensland Welcome to Country Protocols Click here

Get to know your community – Go Local

Amanda talked about one of the easiest ways to getting to know the Indigenous Stories is by inviting them in!  Inviting Elders and families into your organisation with a morning tea is one of the first steps you can make in communicating how you would like to engage with them.  If there are key people in the community, Amanda’s advice is that you have regular meetings or form a consultative group if there is generated interest – this body of experience will most likely turn out to be a wealth of knowledge.

Celebrate Significant Events 

A key part in creating Indigenous Content and Stories is also acknowledging significant events and key dates. Amanda describes the variety of Indigenous events, celebrations, and significant dates and occasions for the community that kuril dhagun plays host to, such as NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Week and Christmas. There are also regularly facilitated talks with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guest speakers.  Check Indigenous Voices Webcasts to watch recent kuril dhagun events.

Creative Story Telling and Cultural Presentations

These can include:

Book Reading, Theatre or Performance art

Visual Artwork

Craft

Events

Dance/music

Digital stories/Interviews

Animations

Films

In closing Amanda spoke about how much of a difference some of these practical and simple measures can make on bringing making your organisation more inclusive.  The example by kuril dhagun as a purpose built environment can be emulated in simple measures outlaid by these transmutable, and is able to be applied in any environment.

For more information about kuril dhagun, [www.slq.qld.gov.au] , subscribe to the Indigenous Voices newsletter [ http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on/stay-in-touch/subscribe] and follow the Indigenous Voices Blog [http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/indigenous-voices/]

  Tania Thomas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Officer at the Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority

Our final presenter for the night was Tania Thomas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Officer at the Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority.  Tania gave us an introduction to her work as not only about curriculum and resource development, but also as one which provides opportunities for all Australians to deepen their knowledge of Australia’s history including the perspectives of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Tania described to us how it is imperative in her role to connect with community members to be able to provide a broad perspective. She tells us that: as an Aboriginal woman;

“I cannot represent all Aboriginal people nor can I speak on behalf of Torres Strait Islander people unless I know their perspectives”.

As an advocate of pedagogy, Tania draws our attention to the importance of building shared resource and skills.  In her role Tania actively works to support Aboriginal students by building teacher knowledge and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into the curriculum. One of the key factors for the importance in “going local” is the diversity of language groups across Australia – each with their own set of protocols and processes.

Tania provided us with an analogy for what embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in a program might look like. She likened it to a tree, a living thing that needs nurturing. Tania asks us to contemplate the first thing you think about when you for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait culture.

Contrary to the stereotype, Tania states that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are more than bush tucker, the referendum, Mabo, the stolen generation, boomerangs, didgeridoos and artworks.

These are just topics that may represent the leaves on a tree, some may die and fall off, and others may stay strong and green while others may wilt. In order for these leaves to be nourished and the tree to grow strong and healthy it needs strong roots. The roots of this tree are the process and protocols, community connections, reciprocal relationships, connection to country, community responsibility, and reciprocity, among others.To close, we are left with a poem describing Tania’s own reflection, (her personal Indigenous story) on being an Aboriginal woman, this is a personal story Tania only likes to share in person.

I would like to thank all of the speakers who gave their time and professional insight into Including Indigenous Stories – with both practical tips and personal insights as to the how to’s, as well as examples of how this has been done in their organisations. Thank you also to Sally Lawrence from the Ration Shed Museum who was very generous in providing an information desk and gift shop, and special thanks to the Transcontinental Hotel who provided a wonderful setting for the night.

Including Indigenous Stories in your Organisation Review Our first Professional Development evening in 2015, Including Indigenous Stories in your Organisation took place on Thursday 5 March at the beautiful heritage pub the…

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Including Indigenous Stories in Your Organisation

Including Indigenous Stories in your organisation 5 Mar Bris, Speakers Rory O'Connor, Tania Thomas, Amanda Hayman

Our first professional development evening for 2015 is happening!  A great evening is planned with speakers discussing ways to include indigenous stories in programs for your museum, library, gallery or other organisation.  It’s a great opportunity to address any concerns you might have around the cultural sensitivities of this important topic.

  When: Thursday, 5 March 2015, 5:45pm – 7:45pm Where:

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Managing Student Behaviour During Tours

Managing Student Behaviour During Tours

Whose job is it to manage student behaviour?  This is a question asked by many tour guides.  It is an important one because if children are not well managed, no learning occurs and tours become a stressful experience for all involved.  It is important to remember that there are many variables which contribute to student behaviour and management.  This blog will briefly look at a few of them and…

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Postponed - Sept 4 Event, what 21C learners want is postponed

Postponed – Sept 4 Event, what 21C learners want is postponed

Very disappointed about postponing this event –  we didn’t have enough RSVPs to go ahead.  We had some great speakers lined up and  expect to be running it next year instead.

We do have an event in the pipeline for November.  The topic is ‘Including Local Indigenous Stories in your learning organisation’.  Lots of people hesitate about what is appropriate to tell, and how to handle it…

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Supporting Museum Tour Guides

Supporting Museum Tour Guides

Museum tour guides are vital elements of any guided museum education programme.  Many are volunteers while others are paid.  In order to deliver effective education programmes guides must be trained, supported and managed.  The aim of this blog is to briefly look at two ways you can support these very important people to deliver the best education programme possible.

Training

Before any museum…

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Networking Event Thurs Sept 4 "21st Century Learners"

Networking Event Thurs Sept 4 "21st Century Learners" Come join us #MAEDQ_PD

Please join us for MAEdQ’s next Networking Event – a panel discussion on “What do 21C Learners Need?”

Thursday 4th September, Transcontinental Hotel, Brisbane 4:30 – 7:30pm Panel session 5:15pm Details in the poster below Hope you can drop by RSVP info@maedq.org.au or SMS 0412615483

MAEdQ Networking Event 2014 poster Final.pptx

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Secrets to successful education programs for regional museums...

Secrets to successful education programs for regional museums... #MAEDQ_PD

Our first professional development day was held at the Pine Rivers museum, where 30 of us had the privilege to observe a cohort of year twos enjoying the highly structured excursion activities on offer there. Joan Kelly enjoys the dynamic role of managing the network of museums for Moreton Bay Regional Council, which takes takes in the Pine Rivers Heritage museum, Redcliffe museum and Bribie…

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Date Claimer: Mark this in your diaries - MAEdQ Networking Event 4th September 4:30- 7:30. Drop by if you can.

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What do 21st Century Learners want?

What do 21st Century Learner's want? #MAEdQ_PD #lifelonglearners #educhat #edtech #education

This is the theme of MAEdQ’s next Professional Development event scheduled for Thursday, 4th September 2014.

Here’s what the Australian curriculum say’s about 21st Century Learners:

Tackle real world problems

Develop questioning and research skills

Solve problems/Create solutions

Use technology as a tool to help them learn

Collaborate inside and outside the classroom

Acquire a deep understanding

C…

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Activities Teachers and Students Want

Activities Teachers and Students Want

In our last blog we looked at some of the ways the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum effectively plans for and organises a visit by lower primary students.  In this blog we will be looking at what type of activities lower primary teachers are looking for and how to effectively engage students from this age group.

The Australian Curriculum history focus for grade 2 is The Past in the Presentand for…

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Tips for getting excursion logistics right

Tips to you get excursion logistics right for museum and site visits #MAEDQ_PD

Some tips for excursion logistics from educator Cath Gordon of EducationCreations.  Cath initially put the program together for Pine Rivers Heritage Museum …

On Tuesday 17 June, thirty people attended MAEDQs first professional development day. Held at the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum, the aim of the day was to investigate how the Museum prepared for and ran its lower primary Museum based education…

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What do year twos enjoy at museums?

What do year twos enjoy at museums? Well we got great ideas about that from MAEdQ's PD day #MAEdQ_PD

Tuesday June  17th MAEdQ ran its first Professional Development Day at Pine Rivers Heritage Museum.  Thirty attended, and had the opportunity  to observe year twos from a local school enjoy their excursion there.

It was great insight into both programming and logistics of running a museum excursion for a group of 80 seven year olds.  The theme was Early Pioneering, with ties in with the…

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Want to be a part of upcoming events?

Want to be a part of forthcoming events? Planning meeting 24 June 10am SLQ

We’re having a planning meeting 24th June at the State Library Queensland.  Amy Middleby has kindly arranged a room for us to meet at :

Bank of Queensland room on Level 4 for 10am-11:30am.  

Just come up in the lift, and the room is located just outside  the doors of the John Oxley library.

Our agenda is:

Debrief on our first professional development day

Communications channels in place/Getting…