Closing the gap: Using graduate attributes to improve Indigenous education

Abstract

Peter J. Anderson and Bernadette Atkinson teach Indigenous and
Traditionally Education in a Global World as a fourth year unit in the
Faculty of Education at Monash University, Clayton. This paper is a selfreflective
piece of work where we discuss the use of graduate attributes
relating to Indigenous Education, put forward by the Australian Institute
of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). These standards have
the potential to improve pre-service teachers knowledge in relation to
Indigenous education, therefore equipping them with the necessary skills
and tools required to teach effectively to Indigenous and non-Indigenous
students. The focus of this paper pertains specifically to AITSL focus
area 2.4 Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-
Indigenous Australians discussing how pre-service teachers can promote
reconciliation and teach Indigenous subject matter in a respectful manner
to non-Indigenous students.