Human Wellbeing Indicators

Curriculum Context

This lesson aligns with the Australian Curriculum (ACARA) for Year 10 Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS):
Content Descriptor:

• ACHGK081: "The reasons for spatial variations between countries in selected indicators of human wellbeing."
• ACHGK082: "The role of international and national government and non-government organisations' initiatives in improving human wellbeing."
  Although these content descriptors are global in nature, this lesson focuses specifically on Australia and its own spatial variations in human wellbeing.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify key indicators of human wellbeing (social, economic, environmental).
2. Analyse spatial differences in human wellbeing within Australia using case studies and data.
3. Critically evaluate the factors that influence variations in wellbeing across different regions of Australia.
4. Apply newly acquired knowledge to develop strategies for addressing inequalities.

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Resources Required

• A large map of Australia (digital/physical) with boundaries for urban, regional, and remote areas.
• Printed or digital case study handouts (focused on demographics of one metro city, one regional town, and one remote Indigenous community).
• Access to ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) wellbeing data, such as life expectancy, income levels, education rates, and health statistics.
• Sticky notes or whiteboard markers for brainstorming activities.
• Access to an interactive whiteboard or screen.

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Lesson Outline

Introduction: Framing Wellbeing (10 minutes)

1. Question Hook (3 minutes):
   Begin by asking a few thought-provoking questions:

   • What does "wellbeing" mean to you?
   • Can two people living in the same country have very different levels of wellbeing? Why?
   • What factors might influence a person's wellbeing in Australia?
     Write their responses/keywords on the board.

2. Make It Relevant (2 minutes):
   Draw attention to everyday examples. For instance:

   • Access to healthcare in the bush compared to urban areas.
   • Cost of living differences between Sydney and small regional towns like Mildura.
     Explain that students will explore these variations in depth during the lesson.

3. Explain "Indicators of Wellbeing" (5 minutes):
   Present the three main categories of wellbeing indicators:

   • Social indicators (e.g., health outcomes, access to education, community safety)
   • Economic indicators (e.g., income levels, employment rates)
   • Environmental indicators (e.g., access to clean water, air quality)
     Give real Australian examples, such as the difference in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians (around 8–10 years).

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Main Activity: Spatial Wellbeing Analysis (40 minutes)

Step 1: Case Study Breakdown (15 minutes)
Divide the class into small groups, assigning each group one case study representing a unique Australian setting:

1. Urban Area: Sydney or Melbourne suburbs.
2. Regional Town: Wagga Wagga (NSW) or Bendigo (VIC).
3. Remote Indigenous Community: Arnhem Land (NT).

Provide each group with a case study document summarising key wellbeing statistics. For example:

• Income levels, unemployment rates, access to healthcare, and school attendance rates.
• Include cultural and environmental considerations (e.g., connection to land for Indigenous Australians).

Each group analyses their assigned region, identifying strengths and challenges in their area’s wellbeing profile. Groups will answer questions such as:

• What are the positive aspects of wellbeing in this area?
• What challenges might people here face?
• Why might these exist in this particular region?

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Step 2: Mapping the Differences (10 minutes)
Groups share their findings in a whole-class debrief. As each group reports back, use an interactive whiteboard to mark the following directly on a map of Australia:

• Any spatial patterns (e.g., "Higher access to education in eastern metro areas.")
• Connections between geography and wellbeing variations.
  Reinforce that disparities often relate to broader issues, such as socioeconomic factors, remoteness, and historical disadvantages (especially for Indigenous populations).

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Step 3: Critical Thinking Task (10 minutes)
Pose this challenge to the class:

• How can Australian governments or communities reduce wellbeing inequalities across these regions?
  Working in table groups, students brainstorm realistic ideas and present their best idea to the class. Example ideas could include:
• Increasing funding for regional schools and healthcare.
• Recruiting teachers and doctors to remote areas via incentive schemes.
• Supporting programs that value cultural wellbeing for Indigenous Australians.

Write all suggested solutions on the board, emphasising that addressing inequality requires both policy and community initiatives.

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Conclusion: Reflect and Wrap Up (10 minutes)

1. Quick Reflection (5 minutes):
   Ask students to answer the following in their notebooks or on a sticky note:

   • What is one new thing you learned today?
   • Why do you think it’s important to measure and improve wellbeing in Australia?

2. Final Brainstorm (5 minutes):
   End with a predictive question:

   • "What do you think Australia will look like in 20 years in terms of wellbeing indicators? Will the gaps widen or close?"

Encourage a few volunteers to share their responses to spark a brief class discussion.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Informal: Group discussions and participation in case study analysis.
• Formative: Responses during the brainstorming and reflection activities.
• Summative (optional): Extend the lesson with a homework task where students write a short report (350–500 words) comparing wellbeing indicators across Australia and suggesting improvements.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Support: Provide sentence starters and simplified statistics for students who need assistance.
• Extend: Challenge advanced learners to explore international case studies and compare them to Australian trends.

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Teacher Tips

• Encourage students to use respectful language when discussing wellbeing differences, particularly regarding Indigenous Australians.
• If possible, invite a guest speaker with expertise on regional or Indigenous wellbeing to add authenticity to the discussion.

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Homework Idea

Ask students to research their local area using publicly available data (e.g., ABS statistics) and write a paragraph explaining how their area compares to the Australian average in one wellbeing indicator (e.g., health, income, education).