Students in HY2018 and HY3018 (Australians and the World Wars) were given the challenge to create websites related to Australia's role in the Allied Occupation of Japan, in particular the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). Students were randomly divided (in combinations of second and third year students) into eleven groups of four to six and were expected to work as a research and web design team. They were only given six weeks to complete the task, and with very little or no previous web design experience (one practical lab class was given to learn to use Weebly for Education), and very little knowledge about the Allied Occupation and BCOF.
The main aims of the challenge were to: a) learn about Australia and the Allied Occupation of Japan; b) think about communicating history to a general educated audience in an online context; and c) gain skills working in a team environment.
Students decided on their topics in their individual groups. They came up with a diverse range of themes, including: the impact of the war on POWs that inspired many Australians to sign up to BCOF; family life in occupied Japan; and more analytical approaches on issues of race, gender and war.
Within their groups, the students located visual sources related to their chosen topics. They were then expected to research the historical context of the image/s, interpret and analyse the image/s within the framework of this research, and present the results in an appropriate web format. The groups were also asked to incorporate a particular image (on the banner of this page) into their design in order to create a sense of connection and continuity between the sites.
The main image, as above, is taken from the unit coordinator's person collection, and is titled: "Australian Soldier's Family in Japan: IV - Recreation and Entertainment'. It was originally published in a magazine produced by the Australian War Memorial, As You Were.
The home page image and the 'About BCOF' image are taken from the unit coordinator's personal collection, originally provided by BCOF veteran Mr Noel Huggett. In the latter image, Noel can be seen on the far left hand-side.
We hope that you enjoy the wonderful work produced by the 2016 cohort of students studying Australians and the World Wars.
Dr Christine de Matos, Unit Coordinator
The main aims of the challenge were to: a) learn about Australia and the Allied Occupation of Japan; b) think about communicating history to a general educated audience in an online context; and c) gain skills working in a team environment.
Students decided on their topics in their individual groups. They came up with a diverse range of themes, including: the impact of the war on POWs that inspired many Australians to sign up to BCOF; family life in occupied Japan; and more analytical approaches on issues of race, gender and war.
Within their groups, the students located visual sources related to their chosen topics. They were then expected to research the historical context of the image/s, interpret and analyse the image/s within the framework of this research, and present the results in an appropriate web format. The groups were also asked to incorporate a particular image (on the banner of this page) into their design in order to create a sense of connection and continuity between the sites.
The main image, as above, is taken from the unit coordinator's person collection, and is titled: "Australian Soldier's Family in Japan: IV - Recreation and Entertainment'. It was originally published in a magazine produced by the Australian War Memorial, As You Were.
The home page image and the 'About BCOF' image are taken from the unit coordinator's personal collection, originally provided by BCOF veteran Mr Noel Huggett. In the latter image, Noel can be seen on the far left hand-side.
We hope that you enjoy the wonderful work produced by the 2016 cohort of students studying Australians and the World Wars.
Dr Christine de Matos, Unit Coordinator