Three decades ago, Stephen Kemmis (1990) argued that curricula provide insights into how nations and states interpret themselves and how they want to be interpreted. He also noted that 'debates about curriculum reveal fundamental concerns, uncertainties and tensions which preoccupy nations and states as they struggle to adapt to changing…

The three-dimensional design of the Australian Curriculum includes the cross-curriculum priorities (CCPs), learning areas and general capabilities (GCs). Geography teachers are uniquely positioned to address the CCPs through the subject's disciplinary focus on interrelationships between physical features of the earth with individual, social and…

The introduction of the Australian Curriculum in 2011 and 2012 brought with it a variety of responses, from consternation from some states less willing to give up their autonomous curriculum positioning through to significant optimism from educators and academics about the opportunities and benefits afforded by such a national curriculum…

Sustainability is an important cross-curriculum priority in Australian education that is not commonly realised in schools and classrooms. In this article, we discuss the challenges and opportunities to enacting sustainability, suggesting that both top-down (systemic schoolwide leadership and support) and bottom-up (individual educator's…

This paper arises from the Keynote we co-delivered at the 2017 AGTA Conference in Melbourne. In the paper, we outline the main theoretical resources that underpin the GeoCapabilities project (www.geocapabilities.org). This project has sought to engage teachers and teacher educators in geography with the principles of "curriculum…

Traces the development of environmental education in Australia and assesses change in the environmental content of geography curriculum. The conclusion is that teachers of geography should become more involved in environmental education. For journal availability, see SO 505 721. (Author/DB)

This article describes the development and content of the National Conservation Strategy for Australia (NCSA). The Australian Department of Arts, Heritage, and Environment has produced a teacher's guide designed to help teachers bring the content of the NCSA to their classroom. A description of the guide and ordering information are provided. (JDH)

Defines environmental education and articulates its aims and characteristics. Describes how environmental education is implemented in Australian schools. Concludes with a list of eight requirements for "environmental citizenship." (JDH)

Describes the concept of environmental citizenship and shows how to apply it to the "African crisis" and Australia. Claims geography can link a concern for a better world to the realities of world economic and political order thereby revealing the inadequacies of the accounts of crises offered by governments and the media. (JDH)

Explores reasons why environmental education becomes "diluted, deleted, and dissolved." Identifies three obstacles to environmental education stating that they will not be overcome until teachers take into account the different types of environmentalism and recognize the role played by curriculum in schooling and the maintenance of power…

Explores the use of concepts in geography teaching in Australia and reviews the relevant literature on the development of geographical concepts. For journal availability, see SO 505 212. (Author/DB)

Outlines the need for a world systems approach to locating one's experiences in the environment. Uses experiences of three poets and of the author to illustrate questions and issues geography teachers should reflect on when teaching Australian geography in a world context. Concludes with 10 questions that encourages teachers to reflect on these…

Explores five alternative visions of the Australian environment through a brief environmental history. Presents imperatives for geography education to help students become socially responsible and ecologically sensitive including: (1) developing an environmental ethic; (2) teaching about the impact of the political economy on the environment; and…

Proposes a socially critical geography curriculum which includes a study of spatial justice for the Australia Aboriginal people. Provides strategies for introducing this curriculum, including awareness of cultural differences; destroying stereotypes; awareness of past and present government policies; and awareness of the language of racism. (LS)

Examines the possibility of developing a socially critical geography curriculum in Australian schools. Emphasizes teachers' responsibility to evaluate, select, and use appropriate instructional materials. Explains technical, interpretive, and critical approaches to geography instruction by contrasting three activities based on "Women of…