The Ethics of Innovation · Term 3

Digital Footprints and Online Identity

Students will understand the long-term consequences of sharing information online and managing digital identities.

About This Topic

This topic introduces Year 5 students to the rich diversity of Indigenous Australian art styles, emphasizing that First Nations artistic expression is part of the oldest continuous living culture on Earth. Students explore how art is deeply connected to Country, spirituality, and the passing down of knowledge. This aligns with ACARA's Cross-Curriculum Priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.

Students learn about different regional styles, from the cross-hatching (rarrk) of Arnhem Land to the dot painting traditions of the Western Desert. Crucially, this topic also covers cultural protocols, understanding that some stories and symbols are 'closed' or sacred. This topic is most impactful when students engage in respectful inquiry and collaborative investigation, looking at how contemporary Indigenous artists use both traditional and modern materials to tell their stories.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Regional Style Map

In small groups, students research a specific region (e.g., the Kimberley, Tiwi Islands, or Central Desert). They create a visual display showing the unique techniques and natural pigments used in that area, then present their findings to the class.

⏱ 60 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Gallery Walk: Reading the Land

Display works by various First Nations artists. Students move in pairs, identifying how the artist has represented 'Country' (e.g., waterholes, tracks, or fire). They discuss how the 'aerial view' often used in these works differs from Western landscape painting.

⏱ 30 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Respecting Protocols

Students are presented with a scenario about an artist using a symbol they don't have permission to use. They discuss with a partner why this might be disrespectful to the community and then share their ideas on how to properly honor a culture without 'copying' it.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

All Indigenous art is 'dot painting.'

What to Teach Instead

This is a very common myth. Use a 'Gallery Walk' of diverse works, including bark painting, weaving, and digital art, to show that dot painting is specific to certain regions and that Indigenous art is incredibly varied.

Common Misconception

Indigenous art is 'primitive' or 'from the past.'

What to Teach Instead

Students may think this is only 'history.' By looking at contemporary artists like Lin Onus or Tracey Moffatt, show them that First Nations art is a vibrant, modern, and evolving practice that responds to current events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'Country' in Indigenous art?

For First Nations peoples, 'Country' is not just the land. It includes the sky, the water, the animals, the stories, and the ancestors. Art is a way of mapping and honoring this deep, spiritual connection to a specific place.

How can active learning help students understand Indigenous art?

Active learning through 'Collaborative Investigation' allows students to discover the diversity of styles for themselves. Instead of a teacher-led lecture, students become 'researchers' who must look for specific regional differences. This active inquiry helps them move past stereotypes (like 'all art is dots') and develop a genuine appreciation for the complexity and depth of First Nations cultures.

Is it okay for non-Indigenous students to make 'dot art'?

It is important to teach 'appreciation, not appropriation.' Students should learn about the techniques but should not copy sacred symbols or claim to be making 'Aboriginal art.' Instead, encourage them to use their own symbols to tell their own stories, inspired by the *idea* of storytelling through art.

What are natural pigments?

Many traditional artists use ochre, which is a natural earth pigment found in rocks and clay. It comes in colors like red, yellow, and white. Using these pigments links the artwork physically to the land it represents.

Browse curriculum by country

• Americas
• US
• CA
• MX
• CL
• CO
• BR

• Europe
• UK
• IE
• FR
• DE
• ES
• IT
• NL
• PT
• SE

• Asia & Pacific
• IN
• SG
• AU