The brief for this project, funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment, Science and Training (DEST), was to identify, collect and summarise information about curricula and associated materials that have been designed with a specific gender focus or are gender related. Examples include published and unpublished works, internet resources, textbooks, school based programs, audio/visual material and departmental resources.
The intention is to make such information about gender related material more widely available to teachers, parents and other interested groups by presenting details about such material on the internet.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in these materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of DEST
In October 2002, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Training published a report on their enquiry into the education of boys entitled Boys: Getting it right 
. In response to the report the Australian Government agreed to fund a number of initiatives and projects related to gender issues and the work of schools. The national mapping exercise, funded by DEST, is one example of such a project. The project was undertaken by a Melbourne based education company, Education Strategies, in the second half of 2003.
The project guidelines include:
- Developing a process to locate gender related curriculum material that is being used, or could be used, in Australian schools; and
- Developing a template to enable material to be summarised and presented on the internet.
The curriculum mapping exercise involved contacting relevant professional groups, individuals and organisations across Australia and seeking feedback and information about gender related material. Such groups and individuals were provided with information and feedback sheets to facilitate any responses.
A curriculum search was also undertaken via the internet and by contacting State and Territory education authorities, groups such as the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and equal opportunity resource centres. Information and resources identified were then collated and summarised in the form of an agreed template that includes the following details: title, author, description, target audience, category, purpose and/or outcomes, applications, additional information and key words.
Templates containing details of the materials
If you have any material which you feel is suitable for inclusion in this website, please send details to the Schools Webmaster ensuring you address the following template criteria:
Title
Author
Details - eg. publishing details or website address
Description
Target market
Purpose and/or Outcomes
Possible Applications
Additional information
The material can be used in a number of ways to increase awareness and understanding of gender related issues and to provide a more effective and productive school based environment. Example includes:
- Using materials as a stimulus/resource for professional development programs that allow teachers, parents and school communities to better understand and respond to the challenges represented by gender issues.
- Assisting schools to develop whole school approaches to such issues as bullying and harassment, gender stereotyping and more gender sensitive approaches to teaching and learning.
- Suggesting classroom resources that more successfully address issues such as literacy learning.
- Providing examples of good practice that can inform teachers and schools about what others are doing in the area of gender related curricula.