Australian Students' Knowledge and Understanding of Asia
Staffing
P. Griffin, K. Woods, M. Dulhunty (with K. Kirby and M. Welch of the Asia Education Foundation)
Summary
The Assessment Research Centre at the University of Melbourne was commissioned to conduct a survey of Australian students' knowledge and understanding of Asia. Specifically, the aims of this project were to collect and analyse national data on Australian primary and secondary students' knowledge about Asia, and to identify patterns of educational context that influence students' knowledge and attitudes. The research also aimed to provide state and territory schools with calibrated attitudinal and achievement tests of Australian students' knowledge, attitudes and understanding of Asia, and to assess the effectiveness of the Asia Education Foundation's Access Asia schools program. More than 7000 students from all Australian states and territories took part in the study, and background data were collected from students, teachers and principals (the latter in all states except New South Wales). Scales were developed and analysed to identify levels of knowledge, understanding and attitude. These levels were then analysed according to data from student background, program involvement, teaching practices and school policy. Results revealed variations in student learning that were systematically linked to school and teacher commitment to studies of Asia as well as to curriculum and resource use.
Funding Source
Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training under the National Asian Languages and Studies in Australian Schools (NALSAS) Strategy
Publications
Griffin, P., Woods, K., & Dulhunty, M. (2006). Australian students’ attitudes to learning about Asia. Journal of Research in International Education, 5(1), 97-117.
Griffin, P., & Woods, K. (2005). Knowledge and understanding of Asia: Using a common item pool to obtain national estimates. Journal of Applied Measurement, 6(4), 416-431.
Griffin, P., & Woods, K. (2005). What do Australian students know about Asia? Education Quarterly Australia, 2, 32-34.
Griffin, P., Woods, K., & Dulhunty, M. (2004). Australian students’ knowledge and understanding of Asia: A national study. Australian Journal of Education, 48(3), 253-267.
Griffin, P., Woods, K., & Dulhunty, M. (2004, December). Australian students’ attitudes to learning about Asia. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Melbourne.
Griffin, P., Woods, K., Dulhunty, M., & Coates, H. (2002). Australian students’ knowledge and understanding of Asia. Canberra: DEST.