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Jaclyn Munro 3886899 |AEG 5109: Approaches to Teaching and Learning| Investigation of a Learning Theory

The eight aboriginal ways of learning is a pedagogy


framework that allows teachers to include aboriginal
perspectives by using aboriginal learning techniques
(8ways.wikispaces.com, 2015). This pedagogy falls under the
larger sub-category of Humanism. This pedagogy is studentcentred and primarily focuses on human freedom, potential
and dignity. The role of the educator is seen as a facilitator
who assists development of linking learning concepts with
self-worth in a cooperative and supportive environment
(Learning Theories and Models Summaries, 2007).
Specifically, the 8 Aboriginal ways of learning is teaching via
aboriginal protocols and processes. This differentiates from
learning about aboriginal content in a way that doesnt
support this pedagogy. Being able to learn about the aborigines in a way that they learn and retain
their information brings another level of the learning experience and heightens the learning
outcomes. This essay will describe all 8 ways of aboriginal learning including examples of how these
could be incorporated within a class as well as how Ben, Evan and Sean utilised these concepts
within their lesson on How to kick a football.
STORY SHARING is a learning approach which shows that we connect through the
stories we share. This is seen in the use of personal narratives to describe and recall
information. Subjects such as English and Humanities will commonly use this type of
approach to recall stories of the past or develop stories in a creative sense. Sharing
these stories with the class gives a greater understanding of differences between people and their
depictions of the outside world. Within the lesson of How to kick a football, the teachers opened
the class with a story of the Origins of Football. Although this wouldnt be a direct learning objective,
school is a place of intellectual development as well as personal development, and this approach is
insightful for student engagement.
LEARNING MAPS is a learning approach where we picture out pathways of
knowledge. This can be seen in a variety of diverse ways in many different
subjects. These are used to map out processes for learners to follow a step by
step way of learning. Within the lesson of How to kick a football, the teachers
created 3 learning maps within the lesson which looked at

What I already know about kicking a football


What I want to know about kicking a football
What I learnt today about kicking a football

Students are able to see their journey and their progression as they achieve different learning
outcomes.
NON-VERBAL is a learning approach where we see, think, act, make and share
without the use of words. Across a variety of units within education we use
kinaesthetic, hands on, non-verbal learning to create a stronger understanding on
certain topics. Sometimes the best way to understand something, is not by reciting
a definition from a textbook, but being able to feel the meaning through practical
education. Within the lesson of How to kick a football, they used the practical application of doing
this activity linked to the learning objective directly. This is the most common link to westernised

Jaclyn Munro 3886899 |AEG 5109: Approaches to Teaching and Learning| Investigation of a Learning Theory

learning as this is regularly seen in the Physical Education department where during years P-10 it is
majority linked with what you DO, not what you can recite.

SYMBOLS AND IMAGES is a learning approach where we share and maintain our
knowledge through means of art or objects. Visual Arts and Technology Studies
are dominant with the creation of individual symbols and images. It is also very
common for symbols, images and metaphors to be a central aspect with most
learning areas. Within the class on How to kick a football, the teachers placed a football at the
front of the class on the desk. Although this may have been unintentional, they sparked a form of
symbolism by using this prop while we were going over the content before the practical element.
Another form of symbolism they used was how they split us into practical teams. These teams were
given aboriginal names which we had to research the meaning of and represent this title while we
were doing our practical activity. Many diverse ideas and understanding can be drawn from simple
imagery and can spark the minds of a diverse range of students.
LAND LINKS is a learning approach where lessons are linked with land and nature.
Environmental Science studies are important for a biological understanding of our
natural environment, but a very practical subject which has very strong correlation
with the Land Links Learning Approach is Outdoor Education. This subject offers a
lot of land and nature appreciation and shows sensitivity to environmental sustainability which is
held closely to the aboriginal community. Within our How to kick a football lesson, they
commenced the class with the land recognition of the aboriginal tribe whose land we were working
on. This gave students the appreciation of where our learning environment was taking place. They
also delivered the practical activity in an outdoor setting so as students we were able to directly
connect to the land we were practising on.
NON-LINEAR is a learning approach where different ideas are put together to create
new knowledge. This allows students to think laterally and develop skills through
complementing yet different views. During our class on How to kick a football,
they utilised this approach during the learning map stage by asking what we already
know about kicking a football. We were able to take our pre-existing information and further
develop it within the practical activity. Indirect learning allows students to develop in a way that
doesnt have direct instruction and sequential steps.
DECONSTRUCT/RECONSTRUCT is a learning approach where students work from
whole parts and break it down to building blocks, and also can learn through
watching and doing. Similarly to Non-linear it is best to look at information in a nonsequential order of instructions and can work from larger objectives and break down
into smaller concepts. Within the class on How to kick a football, they observed how we had
progressed through the practical activity and went through further points on how we can continue
to improve our technique of the learning objective. After deconstructing, the reconstructing phase
looks at linking all this information back together and building a greater understanding.
COMMUNITY LINKS is a learning approach that allows students to take information
home to help the overall lifestyle of their community and family. These can be
connections to real life purposes, contexts, communities and societies. Many year 9
students will undergo Community Studies which is where they do community service,

Jaclyn Munro 3886899 |AEG 5109: Approaches to Teaching and Learning| Investigation of a Learning Theory

work with student welfare and understand the development of the importance of belonging to a
community and contributing. During our class on How to kick a football, the teachers spoke about
the origins and development of football within the Footscray community. This helped students make
a link with how this universal skill is very personal to the area in which they are participating the
activity. Making links such as this is also seen as a lifelong skill that could assist with personal
development of a student.
It is evident that these eight approaches to learning are already imbedded in several units within
schools. To continue to improve the participation of lower socio-economic students and aboriginal
and Torres Strait islanders, these simple and effect learning approaches could benefit them on a long
term approach as opposed to just the time they spend at school.
REFERENCES
8ways.wikispaces.com, (2015). 8ways - Aboriginal pedagogy research review. [online] Available at:
https://8ways.wikispaces.com/Aboriginal+pedagogy+research+review [Accessed 11 Apr. 2015].
Learning Theories and Models Summaries (in Plain English), (2007). Humanism | Learning Theories.
[online] Available at: http://www.learning-theories.com/humanism.html [Accessed 11 Apr.
2015].

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