A pioneering digital project led by Queensland University of Technology researchers has proved a resounding success in raising technological literacy amongst indigenous children.
The Cherbourg Digital Project is breaking new ground in Australia and is the only Indigenous project to promote and engage Indigenous youth in digital technology based on training staff and community members in content production.
The project is providing Indigenous teacher aides and primary and high school students with a range of multi-media skills, and in the process will open up broadband access to the entire Cherbourg community.
QUT film and television lecturers Mark Newman and Gary MacLennan, two of the instigators of the original project, used Cherbourg State School in regional Queensland as the pilot location for their research.
The school is now the leader in Indigenous education to such an extent that the Queensland Department of Education intends to promote similar programs throughout Indigenous communities.
The project is expanding initially to Cherbourg's neighbouring town of Murgon where a digital program is being implemented and taught this year.
Ten indigenous students from Years 10, 11 and 12 at Murgon State High School, are undertaking the program in which they receive basic media and communications education, video making and multi-media training.
"Taking the project from the primary school at Cherbourg to the secondary school at Murgon and other levels of the community is a real breakthrough for us," Mr MacLennan said.
"We are trying to give these kids hope and a sense of achievement and maybe even a career path."
The Cherbourg Digital Project was first launched in 2002 at the local primary school and has played a role in helping reinforce the school motto - "Strong and Smart."
Cherbourg State School Principal, Chris Sarra, also one of the guiding forces behind the digital project said he was excited to see the project "branching out" into the neighbouring town.
"I will not accept it when people say Indigenous people cannot adapt to new technologies - that is absolute rubbish," said Mr Sarra, a QUT teaching graduate.
"The kids at Cherbourg are now not only meeting but exceeding expectations and this is after being told not to expect too much."
Mr Sarra has received a great deal of recognition in recent years for turning around the fortunes of Cherbourg State School and inspiring its students to develop a sense of unity and pride.
He lauded QUT's approach to implementing the digital project in Cherbourg.
"The Cherbourg community sets the goals for this project, it is not people coming in to the community and telling us what we are going to do," Mr Sarra said.
"Cherbourg not long ago was a dumping ground for bad teachers but now QUT has showed it is willing to learn from us."
Cherbourg State School's population is entirely Indigenous children complemented by Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff. Elders play an important role in the school and are allowed and encouraged to enter classrooms during the day.
Contact:
Mr Gary MacLennan, Lecturer, Film and Television, Queensland University of Technology phone: +61 7 3864 8198 fax: +61 7 3864 8195 email address: g.maclennan@qut.edu.au
Janne Rayner QUT media +61 7 3864 2361 j2.rayner@qut.edu.au
April 30 2004
