Scholarship to further Indigenous education research

The importance of including Indigenous knowledge in teacher education will be at the centre of research by the 2016 Charles Darwin University Library - SAGE Publications Scholarship winner.

CDU PhD candidate Tracy Woodroffe from the School of Indigenous Knowledges and Public Policy is a local Indigenous woman and an educator with 25 years of teaching experience.

Ms Woodroffe will use the scholarship to further her PhD research investigating the importance of including Indigenous knowledge in pre-service teacher education.

“In the Australian education system Indigenous Australians are held accountable to and assessed with western knowledge and expectations,” Ms Woodroffe said.

“Despite much time and effort, in general terms Indigenous academic achievement is still considered to be in deficit.”

Ms Woodroffe will consider from an Indigenous standpoint and methodology, the importance of Indigenous knowledge in education through the insights of Indigenous pre-service teachers and Indigenous teachers.

“I hope to look into classroom practice, teaching standards, and educational expectations, and where there might be connections between Indigenous and western educational successes,” she said.

“These connections could be the key to increased engagement and Indigenous educational achievement.”

Ms Woodroffe has taught in the early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary sectors.

Her interests include catering for diversity, the power of feedback and increasing the knowledge, skills and awareness needed to further improve the educational outcomes of Indigenous students.

The SAGE Publications Scholarship is open to CDU Indigenous HDR Students.