Engaging perspectives

This set of cards can be used in different ways to explore a range of perspectives on a given topic. The cards consist of three different categories: stakeholders, priorities, and emotional motivations. Each card has a series of questions for students to work through, and the categories when used in conjunction with each other, can encourage students to identify different perspectives about a given topic.

The cards are designed to be used flexibly, and can be used to:

• investigate different topics
• focus on a single perspective or multiple perspectives, such as combining perspectives from the different categories
• assess the relevance of different perspectives to a particular topic 
• provide random combinations of perspectives from each category and/or strategically select particular combinations in response to a topic
• generate topic specific perspectives and questions using the templates for blank cards

• Classroom connections

  The Engaging perspectives card can be used across multiple levels as a way of introducing and engaging with different perspectives on a topic.

  Grade 5 & 6

  At Grades 5 & 6 the cards can be used in conjunction with exploring Victoria’s and Australia’s democratic systems, such as explaining “how state/territory and federal laws are initiated and passed through parliament “ (VCCCL0120, to help students “identify different points of view on a contemporary issue relating to democracy and citizenship” (VCCC015).

  Years 7 & 8

  Students at Year 7 & 8 “explain how citizens can participate in Australia’s democracy, including the use of the electoral system, contact with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups, interest groups and direct action” (VCCCG020). The cards can be used to provide insights into the range of arguments presented by different groups to their elected representatives, as well as prompt discussions as to “how groups express their identities, including religious and cultural identity, and how this expression can influence their perceptions of others and others’ perceptions of them” (VCCCC026).

  Years 9 & 10

  The cards can be used in conjunction with discussions of the political spectrum and different political parties’ ideologies to “explain the process through which government policy is shaped and developed” (VCCCG028), including analysing “how citizens’ political choices are shaped” (VCCCG030) and “how and why groups, including religious groups, participate in civic life” (VCCCC037).

  Years 11 & 12

  The Engaging perspective cards can be used in conjunction with a range of case studies for VCE Legal Studies, Politics and Sociology where a range of points of view and arguments may need to be taken into account.

• Related resources

  Law reform case study: Medically supervised injecting centres

  This law reform case study explores the parliamentary process, including the committee process, for reforming legislation, in this case the legislation relating to medically supervised injecting centres. The cards can be used to generate additional perspectives to those presented: in the public submissions part of the committee inquiry; in response to the review of the centre; or in response to propose legislation for additional centres.

  Changing the way we work

  The activities in this resource ask students to consider whether, in light of technological changes, there is a need for new legislation to regulate the workday. Therefore, the resource can be used as a case study to either explore a range of perspectives and arguments for potential action and changes in legislation.

  How to host a committee inquiry

  Students can use the perspective cards to develop a range of arguments in response to a committee inquiry or topic of interest.