Secondary School Psychology in Australia: Past, Present and Future Possibilities
摘要
In Australia, psychology is one of the most popular senior secondary school subjects, highly valued by both students and the teachers who teach it. This chapter begins by outlining the state of play of secondary school psychology in Australia and then looking into the history, and identifying the key influences, decisions and trends that have shaped the current landscape. Despite consistently strong student enrolments over many years, psychology remains as a marginal study, rather than core, in the curriculum which has flow-on effects for the teachers that teach it, and ultimately the students themselves. Future possibilities are considered, along with the opportunities and challenges for the professional work of teachers as curriculum makers in ways that could elevate the teaching of psychology in Australian schools. In doing so, this work seeks to ensure psychology education’s relevance and adaptability to meet the current and future needs of students, teachers and the broader community.