Explore is a research database designed for secondary schools that aggregates authoritative content from academic journals, periodicals, broadcast media and more.
Explore provides access to a wide range of educational resources curated within subject and topic categories aligned to version 9 of the Australian curriculum.
History is one of Explore’s subject areas and nested within History are ten topic areas, including:
- Stolen generations
- The Age of Imperialism
- Australia’s wartime heritage
- The Cold War
- Colonisation
- Deep Time
- Federation
- Growth and industrialisation
- Historical significance
- White Australia Policy
- Women’s movement
On each topic page, you’ll find a suite of curated articles and media. This guide will help you understand how you might use Explore as a History educator, student or enthusiast.
Topic Coverage of the History Curriculum
Explore’s History topics were chosen to align with what is taught on the Australian Curriculum, with a specific emphasis on Australian history and perspectives. The ten topics listed above do not comprise the only topics searchable on Explore but are simply the ten topics our team has chosen to feature.
Each topic has been carefully selected to ensure it complements classroom teaching, with links to the Australian curriculum on each topic page, alongside reflection questions, curated selections from the broader database, and a pre-formatted search query that allows you to start searching with just one click. These topic pages are designed to provide an entry point into a complex area for novice researchers and can also be adapted into readymade lesson plans.
In line with the Australian curriculum’s emphasis on integrating Indigenous studies across the curriculum, Explore features several Indigenous topics across multiple subject areas, including History. You can also find other topics relevant to Indigenous Studies in our Literature, Art and dedicated Indigenous Studies subjects.
Australian Views on Global Events
While the ten featured topics on Explore primarily relate to Australian history, Explore also provides uniquely Australian perspectives on international events. For example, our topic coverage of The Cold War, a global event, focuses on its impact on Australia and includes curated selections from the broader database that highlight Australian perspectives.
Other international events are searchable within the larger database using a keyword or advance search. For example, you could type ‘Nazi Germany’ into the search bar, available at the top of your screen at all times and discover hundreds of articles on Informit.
This is where Explore may differ from traditional educational resources, which may provide more foundational coverage of historical events. With Explore, you have access to thousands of unique perspectives from a wide variety of sources that can help students see Australia's role in global history and engage with alternative viewpoints.
Using Explore’s Search Functions
Explore’s curated selections focus on Australian history, however, you can use the search functions at any time to find content on global events. Another use case might be searching for state-based perspectives—for example, the ‘Eureka Stockade’ for Victorian audiences—which is always possible with a search.
Explore offers various ways to locate content, including:
Keyword Search: A straightforward search function to find articles and media using specific terms, always available at the top of your screen.
Advanced Search: A more targeted search tool that allows users to refine their searches based on criteria such as publication type, date, or subject, and using Boolean operators to finesse your search. You can find the advance search on the top navigational bar.
Canned Searches: Pre-configured searches available on topic pages, designed to guide students and teachers toward relevant materials quickly.
Once a search is initiated, users can filter by specific topics, publications, resource types, time periods, or explore our featured journals in Explore’s directory, which is accessible via the 'subject' menu in your top navigational bar under ‘Browse all subjects’. This flexibility makes it easy to find resources that are directly relevant to your studies.
Professional Development for Teachers
Explore is not only a resource for students but also a valuable tool for teachers looking to deepen their understanding of history topics and enhance lesson planning. Explore provides access to a wealth of articles and teaching resources from esteemed journals such as Agora and Teaching History, which are both produced by the History Teachers’ Associations in Victoria and New South Whales. Teachers can use these materials to create original lessons that provide students with a deeper understanding of historical events and engage students beyond traditional classroom materials. Many articles published in these journals also include hands-on lesson plans and classroom materials.
Developing History Skills Outcomes
Explore is designed to help students develop essential research skills such as locating, identifying, and comparing sources. Explore’s resources can be used in combination with existing resources to help students identify reliable sources and compare and contrast different types of sources.
Explore includes built-in citation tools for both topic pages and articles indexed on Informit, making it easy for students to properly reference the materials they use. Additionally, Explore’s advanced search capabilities allow for constructing complex searches, teaching students how to build effective queries and refine their research techniques.
Conclusion
Explore is a comprehensive resource that provides access to a wide array of history-related content aligned with the Australian Curriculum. From integrating Indigenous perspectives to offering unique Australian insights on global events, Explore equips users with the tools needed to foster a deeper understanding of history.
For more information, please refer to the Explore section on the Knowledge Base or contact our support team via support.informit@rmit.edu.au