Decide

An issue is something which is of concern to you in your school, local area, state, nation, or world. In this section, you will identify an issue which you wish to solve, explore who is responsible for this issue, and how you can use your power to influence others about this issue.

Choose an issue

As you decide which issue you want to focus on throughout this unit of work, it’s important to consider your values, and what in your local and global community is important to you. Some of the activities in this section will help you reflect on these values, and see the links between personal views and community issues.

How political am I?

What's important?

Who Decides?

Powers of Persuasion

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Asylum - the treatment of asylum seekers who seek refugees status in Australia

Less important

Extremely important

Sexting - the implications of messaging sexually explicit images on the future of youth

Less important

Extremely important

Homelessness - young people leaving their families to live on the streets

Less important

Extremely important

Racism - discrimination against others due to their race or ethnicity

Less important

Extremely important

Mental Health - lack of adequate services to support those with Mental Health issues

Less important

Extremely important

Animal Cruelty - the abuse, violence and/or torture of animals

Less important

Extremely important

Public Transport - regularity, congestion and access to adequate public transport services

Less important

Extremely important

Global Warming - the warming of the earth's temperature, causing changes in the environment

Less important

Extremely important

Cyber bullying - bullying an individual or group through the internet, social media and/or mobile devices

Less important

Extremely important

Process of creating a change can be daunting at first! With some preparation and good understanding of your chosen issue anything can be achieved. An important aspect of influencing change (be that in behaviour, decision making or attitude) is understanding the point of view of the person you wish to influence.

Activity Instructions

Although all of the questions below are important for Jacob to have answers to, which are more likely that the Principal will ask?

Select the top 5 questions you believe Jacob’s principal is most likely to ask. Once you’ve chosen these questions, draft Jacob’s response. Ensure that it is persuasive!

Case study

Jacob loves sports, after school he plays AFL and he really wants to be a professional basketball player. He is rather disappointed at the state of the school sports hall and the availability of the gym equipment. The basketballs are in a terrible condition and the outside court is deteriorating. Jacob’s woodwork teacher has announced that the school has decided to build a new woodwork area, to refurbish the existing tools in the classroom, install a 3D printer and to add computers. Jacob is rather disappointed that students weren’t consulted and he decides to approach his school principal about the matter.

Did you consult with other students? Is this what they want? Refurbishing the sports hall is in the plan. Why is it important for this to be solved now? The school has spent its money on a new woodwork area. We do not have any funds. Where do we find the money? Some students don't like sports. Why is this more important than refurbishing the drama hall? What can you compromise on? What is the most pressing issue to solve now? This is a school council issue. They set the priorities for work to be done. Have you spoken with them? If we don't have tools, students can't make things in woodwork class. Why should we do this? Students are not respecting the property. If we update our facilities, the problem will still occur.

More for students

Research

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