SUBJECT SAMPLER
KNOWLEDGE HUNT    WEBQUEST
 
Introduction 

'What does this subject have to do with me?' This is an important question students sometimes ask. But answering the question isn't always easy as each different 'me' might relate to or connect with the topic in different ways. The following activity is what's called a Subject Sampler. The idea of a sampler is that people who are given the choice will choose things they like or are curious about trying. Boxes of chocolates, compilation CD's, and smorgasbord buffets all work on this principle. In the following activity, you'll find links to Web sites related to the topic of What does it mean to be Australian?  After each link are three prompts designed to get you to answer one question: 'What does this subject have to do with me?' After all, you can answer that better than anyone else. 

Web Activities

Dictionary of Australian Sayings
  • Do you know what 'Waltzing Matilda' really means? If not, find out.
  • Do you consider yourself a 'battler', a 'goer', a 'doer', or a 'trier'? Explain your answer.
  • Do you think that you live in the 'back 'o Bourke'? Find out what this saying really means before you answer the question.
Main Menu of Oz
  • Look at 'Food'. Are you like most non-Australians who detest Vegemite? Find the recipe which uses Vegemite on the web.
  • Look at 'Attire'.  Sketch yourself in your favourite outfit. Is there anything particularly Australian about this outfit?
  • Look at 'Sport'.  As a nation we are supposedly 'sports mad'. Why do you think we have this reputation?
The Australian Way of Life
  • What do the three images on this site say TO YOU about the Australian way of life? Draw one image of your own to convey your perception of the Australian way of life.
  • Australians are a 'diverse' group of people. List 5 ways in which your classmates are diverse?
  • Many Australians were born overseas. Survey your class members, to find out how many of their parents were born overseas.
Visual Journey Through Australia
  • Look at the 'Photo Gallery' of Australia. Choose 6 favourite photos which depict places you would most like to visit.
  • Go to 'What's On'. Australians love their festivals and events. Use the search engine to find an event which you would like to attend.

Conclusion

By now you should have a better idea how this topic does relate to you. This Sampler was created because although it's important to learn information about things and to think critically about subjects, further learning doesn't always take place if a personal connection doesn't first exist. We hope that through this Sampler you've found such a connection. If you have, maybe you're motivated to learn more? The Internet and traditional resources offer plenty of other choices to explore on the topic so why not follow your interests? Let's move on to a Knowledge Hunt.