Web-and-Flow WebQuest: What does it mean to be Australian?  

 

WEBQUEST

Note:  Links updated January 2002.  Author takes no responsibility for redundant links.  Please notify author when links become redundant. 
Note:  The SUBJECT SAMPLER and KNOWLEDGE HUNT should be completed before the WebQuest.  See also Being Australian



  • Introduction
  • Question
  • Background 
  • Individual Tasks
  • Group Synthesis
  • Real World Feedback
  • Conclusion
  • Evaluation

  • Introduction

    Who are Australians? Where have they come from? In which ways do we perceive our 'Australianess'? Would we all answer these questions in the same way? Food for thought? Chew your way through this WebQuest to satisfy your hunger.
    The Question
    The main question you will be asked to find an answer for is: 

    What does it mean to be Australian?

    Background Information

      Have you already completed the Subject Sampler and the Knowledge Hunt?  If not, you should do both of these now to get some background on Oz and its people.  You could also check out some of these links: 
      1. Virtual Australia
      2. History of Immigration to Australia - from Convicts to the Gold Rush
      3. 50 Years of Postwar Migration

    Individual Tasks

    Now that you have some overall background knowledge, it's time to return to the main question for this WebQuest. A questions this big and important is better answered when a few people are working on it at one time. Things work even better when a group of you decide to look at the question from different perspectives. This way team members can become experts on different aspects of the question and then come together to poll their learning. This is where team work pays off. So are you ready to divide and conquer this question?

    Form groups of six.  Each group member must research and answer the question from a different perspective:  Vietnamese; Aboriginal; Greek; ItalianBritish/Irish; New Zealand.   Each group member will consider what it must be like to be a representative of our diverse population. 

    Group members must then re-form to answer the essential question:  WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AUSTRALIAN?

    Each group will present their thesis in the form of an oral presentation.  All six members must speak to the question for a period of no less than 3 minutes per speaker.  The team's oral presentation should be structured with an introduction, middle and conclusion (want help?) (which includes an answer to the question). 
     

    VIETNAMESE
      Use the links below to find out more about the Vietnamese in Australia.  Think about how a Vietnamese-Australian may experience his/her 'Australianess' different to you.  Specifically, look for answers to the following questions: 
       
    1. What is the dominant religious belief of the Vietnamese?  In what ways might religious belief affect the way the Vietnamese live their life?  Vietnamese Religions and Beliefs
    2. What differences exist in American (similar to Australian) family structure and Vietnamese family structure?  What sorts of problems may this present for the Vietnamese in Australia?    The So-called Freedom of the Western Culture...
    3. Read this personal story.  Why did this 18 year old leave Vietnam?  Was his life endangered during his journey?  In what ways might this experience affect a Vietnamese refugee trying to settle in Australia? Personal Story
    4. A Vietnamese, recently arrived in Australia, many face many challenges.  Belief systems vary and language barriers exist.  Imagine you are a Vietnamese person with a health problem and you have to visit an Australian doctor.  How can 'language differences' and 'belief systems' affect your visit? Vietnamese Cultural/Practical Experience
    5. Read Mr Phi Lu's story.  Why did he leave Vietnam?  What hardships did he face on his journey?  How long did it take to finally arrive in Australia?  Think of 3 descriptive words to sum up how Mr Lu felt when he first sighted Australian soil. 
    6. Scroll down to the heading 'Settlers Born in Viet Nam and Hong Kong' to find out  when the Vietnamese arrived.  Read further to find out why there was a sudden influx of immigrants. 
    7. Read Section 7 'Conclusion'.  In what ways do second generation Vietnamese (born in Australia) differ from their parents (refugees)?  What role does multiculturalism play in maintaining Vietnamese culture? Indochinese Refugee Families in Australia:  A Multicultural Perspective
    8. What is the connection between organisations, such as this, and 'multiculturalism'? Vietnamese Youth Media 
    9. What are some of the needs and challenges faced by Indochinese families? Needs and Challenges
    10. Rumbaut claims that 'In the case of the Vietnamese, differing life experiences of the children growing up in the U.S. and their immigrant parents can turn the generational gap into a chasm'  What are some of the conditions which create this 'chasm'? The Biculturation of the Vietnamese Student
    11. Why do Indochinese refugees cluster in certain areas of Australia?  Indochinese Refugees in Australia
    12. What are some of the contrasts between these two sites about Cabramatta?  Why might the information presented by so different?    Four Corners: Cabramatta    Fairfield City:  Cabramatta
    BRITISH/IRISH
      Use the links below to learn more about the British/Irish/Scots in Australia.  Specifically, look for answers to the following questions: 
    1. Why did the Scot, Thomas Stevenson, come to Australia?  Why did he stay?  Did he forget his homeland?  Scots Around the World
    2. 'British-Australianism is only transplanted British patriotism', according to this author.  Do you agree or disagree?  Development of Australian National Identity and Culture
    3. In what ways do Scots in Australia maintain their Scottish culture?  The Scottish Australian Heritage Council  Glen Innes and the Australian Celtic Festival
    4. What was meant by 'the convict taint'?  Immigration History
    5. Australians were apparently not proud of their British ancestry in the 1950s, do you think we are now? Immigration History
    GREEKS
    Use the links below to learn more about Greeks in Australia.  Specifically, look for answers to the following questions: 
    1. How many Greek-Australians were living in Australia in 1991?  1991 Greek-Australian Census
    2. Click on 'Melbourne'.  Why is Melbourne referred to as 'the third largest Greek city worldwide'? The Greeks in Australia
    3. Which state registered the highest growth (according to the 1991 Census) of Greek born Australians?  Where do the majority of Greek born Australians live?   Geographic Distribution
    4. Between which two years did the majority of Greeks migrate to Australia?  In what ways do Greeks maintain their culture?   History of Greek Migration
    5. Why do many Greek migrants join community organizations?  Welfare and Community Organizations
    6. Do you recognise any of the Greek sportspeople living in Australia?  Greek Australians in Sport
    7. What is the purpose of the Antipodes Festival?  Festivals, Music and the Arts
    8. 'Second generation' means that at least one  parent was not born in Australia and the 'second generation' (children) were born in Australia.  What percentage of second generation Greeks speak Greek in their home?  Why do you think so many second generation Greeks speaks Greek in their homes? Australian Social Trends
    9. Are second generation Greeks likely to marry other Greeks?  What is the long-term affect of this trend?  Australian Social Trends
    10. Are second generation Greeks maintaining their adherence to the Greek Orthodox tradition or to Greek traditions generally?  Australian Social Trends  Personal Opinion of Greek Australians
    11. Look into this site extensively, bearing in mind that it is 'tongue-in-cheek' Wog Life
    ITALIANS
    Use the links below to learn more about Italians living in Australia.  Specifically, look for answers to the following questions: 
    1. What do you understand by 'chain migration'?  How would 'chain migration' have affected Italians living in Australia today? 
    2. Give three reasons why Italians were welcomed into the Australian population in the post-war era.  White Alien Immigration Report, 1944
    3. When Italians first arrived, they caused a national scandal!  Why was this? Frommers  What great food would Australians be missing out on if the Italians were sent home? 
    4. Italians have influenced and contributed to the 'Australian way of life'.  In what ways has the host country to Italian immigrants (in this case, Australia) benefitted?  Italians for Beginners
    5. Read 'Identity and Community:  What is it to be Australian?', by Professor Mary Kolantzis.  After reading her paper, briefly summarize how she would answer the question 'What Does it Mean to be Australian?"   
    6. Read Chapter Eight from Gli Italiani in Australia.  What are some problems faced by children of immigrants from rural Italy? 
    7. In what ways do Italians share their culture with the residents of Ingham? Australian Italian Festival
    8. This is a site about two successful Aussies of Italian heritage?  How does their heritage influence their lives?  Aussie Talents Steeped in Rugged Ancient Land
    9. Read about the Italian Heritage in New South Wales.  What do you know about your heritage?  Is an understanding or our personal 'heritage' important?
    10. What are some of the conflicts faced by this second generation Australian-Italian? Life as a Second Generation Wog
    11. Although this article is humorous, it gives a good insight into how 'wogs' see themselves. The Wog Garden
    12. Look into this site extensively, bearing in mind that it is 'tongue-in-cheek' Wog Life
    ABORIGINES
    Use the links below to learn more about aborigines in Australia.   Specifically, look for answers to the following questions: 
    1. Read this page, focussing on the fundamental differences and misunderstandings between Aborigines and white settlers.  How many of these differences still exist?  Aborigines:  The First Australians
    2.  Look at the comparisons which are made in this article between aboriginal people and the rest of the Australian population.   What are your personal suggestions for how these statistics can be overturned?  Hutchenson Encyclopaedia
    3. According to the author of this site, Ian Coller, aborigines have suffered a loss of 'a common humanity'.  Read the whole page.  How do you think that affects the way aboriginal people experience their 'Australianess'? Colonialism and Australian Aborigines
    4. White Australian medical workers can misinterpret the cultural ways of aboriginal Australians.  See how you would fare by answering these multiple choice questions.  What does this training manual tell us about cultural differences? Culture Training Manual for Medical Workers in Aboriginal Communities
    5. In this interview with an Australian war veteran, look for incidents of racism during his life.    Victorians at War:  Oral History Project 
    6. Read what 'Kathy' and 'Amos' have to say.  The Health of Young Aborigines:  Preface
    7. How can aboriginal health be improved, according to this author?  Aboriginal Health
    8. What is meant by 'The Dreaming'?  How does this religion differ from christianity? Dreaming
    9. How are schools 'failing Aborigines'?Indigenous Attrition
    NEW ZEALANDERS

    Use the links below to learn more about New Zealanders in Australia.   Specifically, look for answers to the following questions: 
     

    1. Click on the picture of the man to learn about the haka.  Have you ever seen the All Blacks perform the haka?  Why do you think they do this before their matches? 
    2. Australia has a special bond with New Zealand through the ANZAC tradition
    3. Do New Zealanders share our taste in cuisine (food)?  NZ Recipes
    4. Approximately how many New Zealanders emigrate to Australia each year? (a previous year's intake is a good guide)  New Zealanders in Australia
    5. Do New Zealand  immigrants to Australia have a high participation rate in Australia's work force? (near bottom of page) New Zealanders in Australia
    6. Are Australians' accents the same as New Zealanders' accents?  Accent on New Zealand and Australia
    7. According to this commentator, what are some differences between Kiwis and Aussies? The Global Etiquette Guide:  Australia
    8. New Zealand has a diverse population, similar to Australia's.  True or False?  About NZ People
    9. Clearly, the All Blacks are a significant part of New Zealand culture.  The question is:  Do you think it is justified for New Zealanders who live in Australia to still support the All Blacks?  Why/Why not? All Black Supporters' Club, Australia
    Group Synthesis
      Congratulations!  Each person  on your team has become an expert on one group of Australians. 

      Before you meet with your group, 
      Check out this site to help you review and organise your data.

      Guess what, gathering useful information isn't the same as truly understanding a topic. What experts in the field of learning suggest is that you now use that information in a new and challenging way. Then you'll really know about this topic. 

      So with you team members all gathered together, carefully read and try answering the main question for this WebQuest. See where you all agree and where differences arise.  Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the question. Your WebQuest team should arrive at  an answer that everyone on the team can live with. 

      Check out this site for help with structuring your oral presentation.

      Before your group presents its findings, ask yourselves these questions:

      • Have we worked co-operatively as a group?
      • Are we prepared to give our answer? (practise!)
      • Is our presentation structured?
      • Do we need to prepare any resources?
      • Are our speaking roles evenly distributed?
      • Is the correct question being addressed?
      • What have we learnt?

      •  
      Your group can now present its thesis in the form of an oral presentation.  All six members must speak to the question for a period of no less than 3 minutes per speaker.  The team's oral presentation should be structured with an introduction, middle and conclusion (which includes an answer to the question). 
    Real World Feedback
      Research contacts you can make for each of the six ethnic groups and write a letter to each of them asking  for an answer to the question:  What Does it Mean to be Australian?  Compare/contrast your conclusions with the replies.
    Conclusion
    At the beginning of this activity, you were asked about the truth. Did you discover it? Was there only one? Did everyone on your team think so? How did you answer the main question for this WebQuest? 

    You deserve a lot of praise for all the work you've done. And so does your brain. You've sure put that gray stuff to the test. You gained background information, developed expertise in one particular area and got into some pretty expert analysis. At times, you must have felt confused with ideas spinning every which way. That's normal when you're building new mental connections. It's funny, with each link between what you already knew and the new learning going on, you broke another different kind of link, remember the intellectual slavery we spoke about earlier? You're free! How will you use these ideas and strategies as you continue to grow and learn? It's all up to you. Good luck.
     

    Evaluation 
      You will be evaluated on the following:
        • organisation of content 
        • clarity of voice
        • audibility
        • posture
        • preparedness (confident approach)
        • use of  visual resources
        • expressive voice
        • use of gestures
        • fluency
        • eye contact with audience
        • audience involvement/reaction