Civics & Citizenship · Year 10

Active learning ideas

Conflict and Peacekeeping

Active learning works for this topic because students need to move beyond abstract theories and engage with real-world complexities. By analyzing causes, debating interventions, and evaluating outcomes, they develop critical thinking skills essential for understanding global conflicts and peacekeeping.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9C10K03

• 40–60 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Jigsaw
• 50 min · Small Groups

Jigsaw: Conflict Causes

Assign small groups to research one cause of conflict, such as resources or ideology, using provided sources. Groups create teaching posters, then experts rotate to mixed home groups to share and apply causes to a current case like Ukraine. Conclude with whole-class synthesis.

Analyze the root causes of contemporary international conflicts.

Facilitation Tip

In Jigsaw Expert Groups, assign each group one root cause (e.g., resources, ethnicity) and require them to prepare a 3-minute teaching segment using case study evidence.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Considering the principle of national sovereignty, under what conditions, if any, is it justifiable for Australia to intervene in another country's internal conflict?' Allow students to debate, encouraging them to reference international law and specific case studies discussed in class.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 02

• Simulation Game
• 60 min · Small Groups

Simulation Game: UN Security Council Debate

Divide class into roles: member states, UN officials, NGOs. Present a scenario like a peacekeeping mandate extension. Groups prepare positions with evidence, debate resolutions for 20 minutes, then vote and reflect on compromises reached.

Evaluate the effectiveness of international peacekeeping missions.

Facilitation Tip

During the UN Security Council Simulation, provide role cards with strict mandates and neutral language prompts to reinforce peacekeeping protocols.

What to look for

Provide students with a brief case study of a past or present international conflict. Ask them to identify: 1. Two potential root causes of the conflict. 2. One specific role Australia played or could play in resolution. Collect responses to gauge understanding of conflict analysis and Australia's involvement.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Decision-Making

Activity 03

• Gallery Walk
• 45 min · Pairs

Gallery Walk: Australian Missions

Pairs research one Australian peacekeeping mission, such as East Timor, and create a poster with timeline, outcomes, and evaluation. Pairs station posters around room; class walks, adds sticky notes with questions or evidence, followed by debrief.

Justify Australia's role in global conflict resolution.

Facilitation Tip

For the Gallery Walk, post large maps with mission timelines and student annotations to make Australia’s contributions visually tangible.

What to look for

Students research a specific UN peacekeeping mission Australia participated in. They create a short presentation outlining the mission's objectives and outcomes. After presenting, peers use a simple rubric to assess: Did the presentation clearly explain the mission's goals? Were specific Australian contributions mentioned? Was an evaluation of the mission's success included?

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Activity 04

• Fishbowl Discussion
• 40 min · Whole Class

Fishbowl Discussion: Mission Effectiveness

Inner circle of 8 students debates effectiveness of a mission using rubric; outer circle observes and notes arguments. Switch roles midway, then whole class rates debate using peer feedback sheet.

Analyze the root causes of contemporary international conflicts.

Facilitation Tip

In the Fishbowl Discussion, assign a student observer to track criteria used for evaluating missions and report back to the class.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Considering the principle of national sovereignty, under what conditions, if any, is it justifiable for Australia to intervene in another country's internal conflict?' Allow students to debate, encouraging them to reference international law and specific case studies discussed in class.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Experienced teachers approach this topic by grounding abstract concepts in concrete examples, using structured debates to build argumentation skills. Avoid overloading students with historical details; instead, focus on patterns and criteria for evaluation. Research shows that peer teaching and role-play improve retention, so prioritize activities where students teach each other rather than listen passively.

Successful learning looks like students confidently distinguishing peacekeeping from war, identifying multiple root causes of conflict, and articulating Australia’s role with evidence. They should also evaluate mission success using clear criteria and defend their judgments in discussions.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the Jigsaw Expert Groups activity, students may claim peacekeeping involves combat. Listen for phrases like 'soldiers fight' and redirect by having them re-read mission mandates on their case study sheets.

  After Jigsaw Expert Groups, ask each group to locate and read aloud the rules of engagement from their case study, then explain how these differ from warfare.

• During Jigsaw Expert Groups, students might attribute conflicts solely to religion. Circulate and listen for oversimplifications like 'it was all about religion.'

  Prompt students to revisit their case studies and identify at least two non-religious causes before they teach their segment to peers.

• During the Gallery Walk, students may assume Australia’s role is minor. Stand near the Solomon Islands station and listen for comments like 'they didn’t do much.'

  Ask students to point to specific evidence on the posters, such as troop numbers or funding amounts, and explain the regional impact.

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Methods used in this brief

• Jigsaw
• Simulation Game
• Gallery Walk
• Fishbowl Discussion