EEO210 Identifying 7 Resources For Teaching and Learning: Asian Perspectives

Guest Speaker: Michael Raikes (My Dad)

Michael has lived in Japan for 12 years and was a Primary School teaching in Melbourne before moving to Japan. He has taught Primary School, Middle School and is currently teaching in Universities in Kyoto and Osaka, Japan. He lives with his wife Kana and daughter Aika, in Kyoto.

1. What students could learn from this resource (VELS/AusVELslevel & learning focus statement).

Learning focus statements from VELS:
Civics and Citizenship- Level 2

The begin to appreciate the similarities and differences between individuals and groups, including the language, cultural and religious groups which make up the Australian nation.

The Humanities- Level 2

The recognise the globe as a model representation of Earth and can locate Australia and other places with which they have links.

By observing the characteristics of different places, and prompted by questions, students think about environmental differences, locally and in other parts of Australia and the world, and why these differences exist.

2. How and why the resource would be used in the classroom for HSE learning (Prep – Year 2).

Michael, who currently lives in Japan, would be used as a guest speaker to a grade 2 class. He would use a powerpoint with images as a visual aid. He would show the students where Japan is in relation to Australia and what life is like in Japan. Specifically the schools where he has worked in both countries , the food that he eats in Japan and some environmental differences, such as weather (snowing at Christmas time) and the famous cherry blossoms. My dad would teach the class some basic Japanese and then how to write hello in Japanese characters. The lesson would give students an understanding of some of the similarities and differences between Australia and Japan and give students a way to communicate with a Japanese person in their own language.

3. A brief description of how your resource/activity responds to an aspect or aspects of the readings for that week.

Teaching children about different cultures is important as there are people from so many different counties in schools and the greater Australian community. It is vital for students to have an understanding of some of the differences and similarities between particular cultures. I agree that ‘as educators it is our task to respond to this diversity’ (Marsh, 2011 p. 357) As educators we can greatly influence children's lives and I feel it is important children learn about different cultures. It will help them to have relationships with students of that culture and it may give students an understanding of why children from different cultures may behave differently or eat different food. For example, it could give an understanding of why a girl from Japan always has rice for lunch. By having someone who has lived in both Australia and Japan coming to speak to the class it will be easy to compare the differences and similarities between Japan and Australia.