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A site study should be integrated within each of Stages 4 and 5 as a means through which students acquire knowledge, skills, values and attitudes from experience in the field or by analysing a virtual site using ICT. Site studies enable students to understand their historical environment and participate actively in historical inquiry. They can offer a means of interpreting the past and/or recognising how human occupation and use of the site has changed over time. Such an approach can lead to an understanding of the historical context in which changes have occurred. The enjoyable experience of active engagement in the past helps to create and nurture a lifelong interest in history.

What is a site study?

A site study is an inquiry-based examination of an historically significant location. Site studies may include an investigation of the local area, or a visit to an archaeological site, museum, an Aboriginal site (issues of access and permission need to be appropriate to the site selected), a specific building, a monument, a local area, an open-air museum or a virtual site available through ICT.

Teachers must identify the objectives and outcomes relevant to the site study. The following suggested sites could be considered:

  • Aboriginal sites
  • archaeological sites
  • Australian War Memorial
  • bridges
  • cemeteries
  • changed natural environments
  • churches and places of worship
  • factories or industrial sites
  • heritage buildings
  • houses
  • memorials
  • monuments
  • museums
  • National Parks and Historic Sites
  • Parliament House
  • public buildings
  • railways and tramways
  • shops and business districts
  • statues
  • streets and streetscapes
  • suburbs, towns, villages
  • virtual sites

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