Research Skills Development

Unit: Deaf Gain in Auslan Culture

Lesson 7 of 20

Year Level: 7

Duration: 70 minutes

Class size: 25 students

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Learning Area: Languages – Auslan focus

This lesson aligns with the Australian Curriculum (v9) for Languages, focusing on Auslan as the language of study and Deaf culture exploration.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Locate and process information about notable Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals using signed, visual, and multimodal texts【12:AC9L2AU8C03.md】.
• Develop research skills to identify potential subjects for a multimedia presentation on Deaf figures, selecting relevant details to support understanding and presentation purposes【12:AC9L2AU8C03.md】.
• Respond appropriately to cultural context by understanding Deaf Gain and its significance in Auslan culture【13:AC9L1AU8U04.md】.
• Collaborate and communicate findings effectively within group and class settings【12:AC9L2AU8C03.md】.

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Curriculum Links

Content Descriptions:

• AC9L2AU8C03: Locate and process information and ideas in familiar signed, visual, and multimodal texts, responding appropriately to cultural context, purpose and audience【12:AC9L2AU8C03.md】.
• AC9L1AU8U04: Reflect on and explain how identity is shaped by language(s), culture(s), attitudes, beliefs and values, and how these impact on communication【13:AC9L1AU8U04.md】.

General Capabilities:

• Literacy (interpreting information, using metalanguage related to Auslan and Deaf culture)
• ICT Capability (use of digital research tools and multimedia presentation tools)
• Critical and Creative Thinking (evaluating sources and selecting appropriate information)
• Personal and Social Capability (collaborative work and cultural understanding)

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Materials Needed

• Access to internet-connected devices (tablets/laptops) with pre-selected reliable Auslan and Deaf culture video resources and websites
• Note-taking templates (digital or paper)
• Whiteboard or interactive board
• Projector or large screen for group viewing
• Handouts outlining research criteria and questions for Deaf or Hard of Hearing figures

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Brief recap of previous lessons on Deaf Gain and Auslan culture.
• Explain the lesson aim: to research and select notable Deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals for multimedia presentation projects.
• Discuss the importance of research skills in understanding community figures and cultural identity.
• Introduce the criteria for selecting individuals: impact on Deaf community, contribution to Auslan culture, historical significance, or contemporary relevance.

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2. Mini Teaching Input on Research Skills (10 minutes)

• Demonstrate how to locate trustworthy information in signed, visual, and written forms—show examples of Auslan signed biographies, interviews, and articles about Deaf figures using multimodal sources【12:AC9L2AU8C03_E2】.
• Explain research strategies: checking source credibility, note-taking, summarising key points, identifying cultural context.
• Highlight use of Auslan-specific resources such as Deaf Australia websites, cultural organisation channels, and accessible videos.

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3. Guided Group Research Activity (30 minutes)

• Divide students into five groups of five.
• Assign each group to research different Deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals (either pre-selected or allowing students choice within guidelines).
• Provide scaffolded research worksheets with prompts:
  • Who is this person?
  • What is their contribution to Deaf culture or Auslan?
  • Why are they significant (connect to Deaf Gain values)?
  • What multimedia sources did you use?
• Teacher circulates, supports finding information in Auslan signed videos and transcripts, guides note-taking
• Groups discuss findings and prepare to share one interesting fact with the class

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4. Group Sharing and Class Discussion (15 minutes)

• Each group presents a brief summary of their individual’s significance (2-3 minutes each) using Auslan where possible, or supported by English notes and multimedia clips.
• Class discusses similarities and differences in the contributions of the individuals presented.
• Teacher highlights the diversity and enrichments Deaf Gain brings through these figures, reinforcing cultural identity and empowerment【13:AC9L1AU8U04_E3】.

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5. Reflection and Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

• Students individually write or sign a short reflection on what they learned about researching Deaf figures and why their stories are important in Auslan culture.
• Teacher outlines next lesson’s focus: planning the multimedia presentation using their research.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observation of group participation and collaboration during research activity.
• Anecdotal notes on students’ ability to locate, summarise, and present research information.
• Reflection task for individual understanding of research process and cultural significance.

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Extension Ideas

• Invite a Deaf community guest speaker (in-person or virtual) to share personal stories and discuss research findings.
• Introduce digital storytelling tools for later use in presentations (video editing, captioning software).

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By integrating research skills explicitly with Auslan language and Deaf culture content, this lesson provides Year 7 students with authentic engagement and culturally responsive learning reflective of the Australian Curriculum (v9) Languages learning area.

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Please note this plan carefully aligns with Australian Curriculum Auslan content descriptors AC9L2AU8C03 and AC9L1AU8U04 to meet curriculum standards for Years 7–8 Auslan learners【12:AC9L2AU8C03.md】【13:AC9L1AU8U04.md】.