Cultural Immersion
the key to the next 50 years?
Cathie Burgess & Pat (Paddy) Cavanagh
Aboriginal Studies Association NSW Australia
The ‘Connecting to Country’
Program
A 5-day intensive professional development
program targeting Principals, New Scheme and
newly appointed teachers in 300 targeted
schools:

a 3 day cultural immersion program
conducted by local AECGs;
AND

a subsequent 2 day program provided by
DEC's AECE
Data Analysis
Quantitative data:
•
357 participant evaluations (AECG)
Qualitative data: individual interviews and focus
groups:
•
54 participating teachers
Impact of Cultural Immersion
•
98.2%
positive response from participants with no prior learning
•
97.5%
of ALL participants increased knowledge & understanding
•
90.5%
reported adopting new approaches to teaching history &
culture
•
81.1%
reported changed approaches to teaching Aboriginal students
•
83.8%
reported enhanced confidence and understanding in
developing relationships with Aboriginal parents & community
•
94.6%
would recommend this program to other teachers
Wenger’s conceptual framework –
social learning systems (1998, 2000)
Demonstrates how two perceivably
different and conflicting communities can
become a community of practice –
transformative potential in Aboriginal
education
 Modes
of belonging
 Communities of practice
Analysis: modes of belonging
 Engagement
 Imagination
 Alignment
“It was a very inclusive program. I felt
befriended and I think every Australian
should attend something like this --- it was so
effective in building bridges. And I loved
being with my Aboriginal colleagues in an
informal setting where everyone was on the
same level and working together”.
Analysis: communities of
practice



Joint enterprise
Mutuality
Shared repertoire
“The excursion to Mootwingee was a real
shared experience.... It was something to build
a relationship on and it helped me make real
connections … it was a platform for me to have
a shared story, walking around together,
chatting about life , home and kids. It was like a
family putting on a demonstration of their
strength …. a happy party”.
BENEFITS
of learning through a social process

Perceptions of ‘Other’ community changed

Shared purpose and brokering relationships

Empowering teachers and impact on
pedagogy
THE CHALLENGE of the next 50
years?
 Explicating
practice
theory – awareness of
 Transforming
teaching
 Bringing
good learning to good
cultural immersion into the
classroom