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Webquests

Exploring cultural diversity

Students research Australia's development as a multicultural nation and evaluate the contributions made by individuals and cultural groups.

Today, as always in Australia, there is a great national debate on the subject of multiculturalism. In this webquest students will be exploring this site to discover the actual statistics, the history of migration, some real stories of immigrants today and the contributions of individuals and communities to the development of Australia as a multicultural society.

• All students require computer access.
• Some preliminary work may be required on exploring the concept of cultural diversity.
• When defining cultural diversity, teachers should ensure the inclusion of Anglo-Celts.

You are part of a delegation to the United Nations. Your delegation must compile a report on how cultural diversity has shaped and benefited the development of Australia as a multicultural nation. One member of the team will be elected to present the report to the United Nations.

• To complete this webquest, the class should be divided into groups of five.
• Each group member will be allotted an individual role and find the answers to the questions on the Roles and Individual Tasks worksheet.
• The specialist chairs a meeting of the group. Each member presents their findings to the group.
• These findings are used as the basis of a jointly constructed group report to the United Nations on Australia's cultural diversity.
• Each group selects a representative to present the report to the United nations, that is the class or school assembly.

Task: Research the history of cultural diversity in Australia.
Visit: Key Dates and discover:

• For how long has Australia been culturally diverse?
• What ethnic and cultural groups have been represented historically?
• What were the main reasons for immigration?

Summarise your findings for presentation to the group.

Task: Research the cultural diversity of Australia today.
Visit: Australia's Cultural Diversity and discover:

• How culturally diverse is Australia today?
• What birthplaces are represented?
• What ethnicities are represented?
• What languages are spoken?

Summarise your findings for presentation to the group.

Task: Research some well-known Australians' views on multiculturalism and racism.
Visit: Spotlight on Racism

• Identify some well-known Australians of various backgrounds.
• What are their experiences and views on racism?
• What advice do they give to kids experiencing racism?
• What kind of Australia would they like to see?

Summarise your findings for presentation to the group.

Task: Research the contributions made by Australians from various backgrounds to the development of Australia.
Visit: Fact sheets

• Identify Australians from various backgrounds who have made significant contributions to Australian society.
• In what ways have they contributed to the development of the nation?

Summarise your findings for presentation to the group.

Task: Become the general knowledge expert in the area of multiculturalism.
Visit: Quizzes

• Select quizzes relevant to age group.
• Complete all the quizzes.

Summarise your findings for presentation to the group.

A report to the United Nations on how cultural diversity has shaped and benefited the development of Australia as a multicultural nation.

Australia has always been culturally diverse. The early Indigenous communities, the First Fleet and later settlers, migrants and refugees have shared a wealth of cultural heritages which have shaped and benefited the development of the Australian nation.

Department of Immigration website