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The ‘Within’ Journey: Assessment of the Online Indigenous Australian Cultural Competence Training Programme at Charles Sturt University

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 September 2018

Barbara Hill ,
Marian Tulloch ,
Susan Mlcek  and
Melinda Lewis
Barbara Hill*
Affiliation:
Division of Learning and Teaching, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst 2795, New South Wales, Australia
Marian Tulloch
Affiliation:
Division of Learning and Teaching, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst 2795, New South Wales, Australia
Susan Mlcek
Affiliation:
Faculty of Arts and Education, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst 2795, New South Wales, Australia
Melinda Lewis
Affiliation:
Division of Learning and Teaching, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst 2795, New South Wales, Australia
*
address for correspondence: Barbara Hill, Division of Learning and Teaching, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst 2795, New South Wales, Australia. Email: bahill@csu.edu.au
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Abstract

This paper explores the impact of self-reflective processes of staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) while undertaking an online Indigenous Cultural Competency Program (ICCP). The ICCP was designed for completion by all university staff to enhance their knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories and contemporary realities. Staff were requirement to complete and submit answers to an online quiz, and a written reflection on their learning. This paper reflects on the responses of 64 volunteers and indicates large positive shifts are self-reported knowledge and understanding. The reflective texts of staff provide a rich source of information on the ‘journey within’. In-depth thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) identified three key themes: evaluation, the mapped learning journey and the personal learning journey. The participant feedback, not only pointed to the cognitive, attitudinal and emotional impact of the content and pedagogical approach of the programme, but also identified barriers and issues for programmes aimed at complex change in a contested space. Our programme assessment relied on self-reported individual perception that surfaced hidden assumptions about Indigenous cultural competency (Kumas-Tan¸ Beagan, Loppie, MacLeod, & Frank, 2007). We acknowledge in the longer term a range of comprehensive outcome measures are needed.

Keywords

Indigenous studiesIndigenous cultural competence trainingstaff developmentprogramme assessment
Type
Research Article
Information
The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education , Volume 49 , Issue 1 , August 2020 , pp. 14 - 22
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2018

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