'The+First+Australians'+video



 Episode 1/7, Part 1/7 'They Came to Stay' Resource evaluation by Shani cross media type="youtube" key="VcslF8yQ1Tg" height="315" width="560"

Description of the resource The video 'First Australians' is an Australian historical documentary series. The series was created by Black Fella films, SBS Television and Screen Australia. For the purpose of the unit of study, part 1 of episode 1 will be used (as shown above). The ten minute video explores the events and perspectives surrounding the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. The video begins by reflecting on the Aboriginal Dreaming time and the culture of Indigenous peoples before European arrival. Following this, the video recounts the events of the arrival of the First Fleet. Relevance to the KLA outcome The documentary is a very useful resource when exploring the change and continuity outcome CCS2.1 //'Describes events and actions related to the British colonisation of Australia and assesses change and consequences' //(Board of Studies, 2001) //. //This is because the resource provides studen ts with detailed factual information about events leading up to and after British colonisation, as well as information regarding the consequences of British colonisation on Indigenous life. The documentary is supported by interviews with historians and writers who share important opinions that would be invaluable to this unit of study as they take a critical look at British colonisation. Primary sources such as journal entries by Captain Arthur Philip are read aloud throughout the documentary to support students understanding of perspectives of the European settlers and Indigenous peoples at the landing of the First Fleet. The resource is also stage appropriate because it is narrated in easy to understand language that is supported by powerful imagery to help students make meaning. Sims et al. also suggest that visual resources are meaningful when being introduced to new information because 'The use of visual media in learning and teaching is supported by research demonstrating that learner preferences and styles can more effectively be addressed and that enhanced learning and retention take place through the use of visual material' (Sims et al. 2002, p.1). This links directly with the Professional Teacher Standards 2.1.3 'Demonstrate knowledge of students different approaches to learning'(NSW DET, 2003) as it is important to incorporate a range of resources to support learning for a range of students. Aspects of literacy to be explored The resource is a multi-modal text including visual images, written text and audio which makes it a useful resource for exploring visual grammar because teachers can explicitly teach how these modes of literacy work together to inform meaning. Teachers can use the resource to explore visual techniques that are used in the video such as shot types (long, short, medium), angles, offer and demand images, close ups, varying modalities, the setting of Australian scenery, symbols and social distances etc. (Callow, 2006, p.14). These visual techniques are used powerfully to convey perspectives within the documentary. A teacher might explore how the creators of the documentary have employed visual techniques to create emotion and empathy from the responder in relation to some of the negative consequences of the colonisation of Australia.

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 10pt;">References <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Board of Studies (2001). //Human Society and it's Environment K-6 Syllabus:// Sydney: Author.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Callow, J. (2006) //Images, politics and multiliteracies : using a visual metalanguage//. [online]. Australian Journal of Language and Literacy; v.29 n.1 p.7-23

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Department of Education and Training (2003). //Quality Teaching in NSW Public Schools.//

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sims. E, O'Leary. R, Cook. J, Butland. G (2002) //Visual Literacy: What is it and do we need it to use learning technologies effectively?// ﻿Learning technology Support Service; University of Bristol, United Kingdom.