Abstract:
In order to develop Teacher quality The NSW Department of Education and Training and the New South Wales Aboriginal Education Consultative Group developed the Enhanced Teacher Training Program (ETTP) the purpose of the ETTP was to enhance selected non-Aboriginal teachers knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history and cultures, and to develop their cross-cultural communication skills. With more informed cross cultural understandings it was expected that the participants would develop appropriate classroom management and pedagogical strategies for working in schools with high Aboriginal student populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of the seven non-Aboriginal preservice teachers undertaking the year-long program. A qualitative research methodology was applied to this study to investigate the prospective teachers' cross cultural experiences, the methods utilised to gather the data included focus groups, participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, email communication and document analysis. The findings revealed that research, theory and practice are inextricably intertwined and non-Aboriginal teachers' cross-cultural learning was enriched through experiential learning opportunities throughout diverse setting within the Illawarra Aboriginal community. Furthermore partnerships between universities, the NSW DET and highly-committed individuals were critical to ensuring Aboriginal Education policy translates effectively into practice.