The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is Australia’s exclusive institution celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. They’re dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing Indigenous knowledge. AIATSIS’s vision emphasises respect, recognition, and celebration. Through national collections, research leadership, and partnerships, they aim to transform understanding and support cultural resurgence, shaping Australia’s narrative.
The need
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in partnership with the University of Sydney (USyd) and the University of Queensland (UQ) enlisted our team to develop two eLearning courses:
- Core: Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research
- Core: Culturally Responsive Teaching
The learning solution
Both eLearning courses are made up of several units and include a workbook for learners to complete. The workbook is a space for learners to complete activities and reflections that are presented in the eLearning. The activities are designed for a deeper understanding of key concepts and to encourage personal reflection on current knowledge and practices. We also incorporated images that reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the Australian landscape, and informative videos to really bring the content to life.
Core: Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research
This course highlights the importance of ethics in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. It strengthens ethical practice by exploring the rights-based framework of the AIATSIS Code of Ethics. This enables a wider perspective on risk, impact, and the need for genuine collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when engaging in research about Indigenous Australian topics.
Core: Culturally responsive teaching
This course informs educators about culturally responsive teaching which involves drawing upon students’ prior knowledge, cultural backgrounds, and language to inform their learning. The aim is to empower students intellectually, socially, emotionally, and politically. Culturally responsive teaching is the responsibility of all teachers. It is assumed and expected that all teachers reflect on how to be more culturally responsive and apply this in the classroom.
The outcome
The outcome was two engaging and informative eLearning courses that achieved the goals of AIATSIS and the two universities while keeping to their strict timelines. AIATSIS were so happy with the result that we went straight on to develop another course for them following this project.
Duration
Core: Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research spanned over a 5-month period.
Core: Culturally responsive teaching spanned over an 8-month period.
