Introduction to Special Volume Teaching, learning and Australian archaeology

Abstract

[Extract] This volume is based on papers and posters presented at the 2004 Australian Archaeological Association Annual Conference held at the University of New England, Armidale, plus some additional contributions. In a session called 'Learning Archaeology' organised by Wendy Beck, Martin Gibbs and one of us (SC) contributors were asked to address the following questions: How do we learn archaeology? What can we learn from archaeology? What are some links between learning, teaching, research and professional practice? Learning was defined not only as formalised teaching in the class or field, but included learning through practice, learning for ourselves, and learning and teaching through communicating our results and knowledge to others. Papers which addressed the conference theme of 'Networks and Narratives' were especially welcome, however, any presentation relevant to the topic was encouraged. The only provisos were that papers must move beyond the purely anecdotal and descriptive, place teaching and learning into some broader theoretical framework and include analysis and discussion of some data or evidence to support their conclusions. Presenters were also asked to address issues of broad concern or interest to Australian archaeology.