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CCE Library

Discovering Democracy

In the early years of the current Federal Government in the late 1990s, the national focus on CCE took the form of producing curriculum materials under the generic title of Discovering Democracy. ALL schools in Australia, should have received a free copy of the initial DD curriculum materials kits. In recent times the material have had to be purchased from the Curriculum Corporation. Check your library for the following DD materials.

Discovering Democracy - Introducing DD: School Materials Project (1997) Curriculum Corporation (CC).
An 'historical' booklet that introduces teachers to the federal 'Discovering Democracy' project.
Comment: Briefly outlines the scope and nature of the DD program, with a particular focus on the acquisition of civic knowledge, with some reference to active citizenship.
Discovering Democracy Kits (1998) CC.
Blue plastic box for primary schools, green for secondary schools. Now dated in some areas. Multimedia videos, charts, units of work, teacher guide, 'Stories of Democracy' CD.
Comment: Useful in parts, a government response to CCE, mostly unquestioning civic knowledge.
Discovering Democracy - Australian Readers (1999-2002) CC.
A series of Readers from lower primary levels to upper secondary levels, with a teachers guide for each level. Each colourful Reader has a number of stories, poems, paintings, visual images grouped around some CCE themes.
Comment: Some great stories and visuals that can stimulate students thinking and images about CCE. Teachers and students might question the scope of the collection of stories, who they represent and the 'feel good' nature of many of the stories.
Discovering Democracy through Research (2000) CC.
Suitable Grade 5-Year 10. Focus on introducing students to research investigations via 10 themes/topics, including 'Our Town' and 'Who Represents Us'.
Comment: Useful teacher booklet to explore inquiry learning in CCE, but again unquestioning with many factual recall questions.
Discovering Democracy - Assessment Resources (2000) CC.
Supplements the units of work in the DD kits with structured assessment tasks.
Comment: Useful discussion about assessment processes and uses work samples with explicit indicators of achievement. Useful as a process model but now overtaken by VELS, Standards and Progression Points
Discovering Democracy - Citizenship Activities for Senior Secondary Schools: Resource Book (2000) T Gurry & R Lewis, Dept of Education, Training & Youth Affairs for the Catholic Education Office.
A small booklet that supplements a 30 min. video exploring how four case study secondary schools progress towards developing a CCE program.
Comment: In the context of many schools currently attempting to incorporate CCE in school programs, these materials provide useful auditing starting points for school discussions about CCE. Video is useful for both teachers and student to discuss community engagement.
Discovering Democracy in Action - Learning from School Practice (2000) Australian Youth Research Centre, University of Melbourne.
A booklet written by teachers from the DD Grants to Schools Program (1998-2000) as part of the Victorian DD PD strategy. Under five headings of Whole- School Approaches, Classroom Teaching and Learning, Active Citizenship, School and Community and Resources, each school - primary & secondary - tells its story about its approach to CCE.
Comment: A most useful book for schools to begin to explore a range of possible approaches to incorporating CCE into their current programs under VELS. Something for everyone!
Discovering Democracy in Action: Implementing the Program (2004) DE&T.
A follow-up book to the above School Practice, using DD Grants to Schools (2001-2003), using four headings of Auditing and Whole School Practice & Policy Work, Classroom Teaching and Learning and Curriculum Development, Learning Activities in Active Citizenship & Community Links and Partnerships,
Comment: A more in-depth and processes orientated book about how a range of Victorian schools uses grants to develop CCE programs. Very useful for auditing and discussing current programs.
Discovering Democracy - Civics & Citizenship Education: Extended PD Program - Participants' Manual (2001-04) DE&T.
After the initial approach by the federal government to enhance students' understanding of CCE via the DD resource led approach, the second phase recognised the need for teacher PD. This folder of material aims to demonstrate effective strategies for using DD materials in schools. There are four core units in the folder - CCE: Exploring the key concepts and scope, Models & Resources, Using ICT, Connecting CCE to Professional Issues.
Comment: A very useful process resource for curriculum coordinators, CCE curriculum leaders to plan effective PD strategies.
Discovering Democracy - Celebrating Civics & Citizenship: Making History (2004) DEST.
A 30 min. DVD of the edited highlights of the Discovering Democracy Conference, May 2004. Clips of the opening address, a panel discussion, keynote speaker, and four case studies of active citizenship in an historical context.
Comment: A collection of enthusiastic speakers and school case study reports. Useful for CCE PD activities, particularly when discussing Community Engagement and Authentic Learning.
Discovering Democracy - Discovering Democractic Values: Teaching & Learning Civic Values (2005)
A 30 min. DVD exploring DD PD issues, with a focus and link to values education. Provides models and ideas as a stimulus for schools to reflect on current practices in the area of values education.
Comment: A very useful resources in that it attempts to link CCE key concepts with values education. There is a mix of speakers, teachers, students discussing a range of approaches to values education, including a whole school approach, classroom activities, action research. Little evidence of the contentious nature of values, who decides, and if there are common 'core' values.
 
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