Case studies in Australian irrigation

"June 1997".

Project Number: Case studies in Australian irrigation - MDBC project E5041 / MDFRC project M/03/5126.

MDFRC item.

Given that the Project was originally conceived to consist of curriculum material similar to that presented in " Blue-Green Algae, the Story so Far. .. ", and was then changed to CD Rom format, some changes to the original concept were inevitable. Because CD Rom technology was quite new at the time but looked as if it would provide a most satisfactory means of storing and conveying information to a much wider audience, progress on the project went ahead confident that school s, in particular, would embrace this new technology. As the data was assembled and made available for use in prototype form, its acceptance by target groups was constantly monitored. The enthusiasm for information presentation in this format was excellent, and all users of the prototype were keen to be able to use the final product. One of the most pleasing aspects of the project was the way in which Mike Copland and the collaborators, the NSW Board of Studies Interactive Design Group led by Lyndon Sharp, were able to work so closely together. Their understanding of what was expected coincided exactly. This meant that there was no dispute about the content, nor the various aspects of presentation. Each side was able to make suggestions, and after consultation, have these suggestions incorporated if thought appropriate. The transmi ssion of data between Albury and Sydney became progressively easier. Whereas at the commencement of the Project, written material was submitted in hard copy or floppy disc format, this was soon supplemented by direct transmission through email thus removing the need for “double handling”. An aspect of the programme which was considered by all to be most important was the inclusion of a simulation exercise in which we would encourage schools students, in particular, to better understand the roles of the various groups involved in activities within the Barmah-Millewa Redgum Forest. A complex scenario was developed in which a "deluxe" resort was to be established within the forest. At working meetings of teachers and students, the groups most probably affected by this development within the forest were identified and their likely stance with respect to the development was discussed and agreed to. One of the groups that was identified was the aborigines, and so they were included in the scenario outline. At the same time as this simulation was being developed, a land claim was instituted, covering the area in which the Barmah-Millewa Redgum Forest was situated. Legal advice was to the effect that, what was included within the simulation exercise could be used as evidence in any forthcoming court case. Even though the aboriginal people at the Darnya Centre had been consulted as to the content, and the Aboriginal Studies Unit of the Board of Studies had given its imprimatur to the work, it was deemed appropriate to remove this segment from the CD Rom. If upon resolution of the land claim and the simulation scenario is seen to be appropriate, then it can be included in future editions of the Barmah-Millewa Redgum Forest CD Rom. The final prototype of the CD Rom was trialled in a number of schools, with community groups and with teachers. Minor modifications were made and the final product was released in May 1997. The CD Rom was widely distributed to those individuals, groups and schools who assisted in any way with its production and it was most favourably reviewed in the Computer section of the Australian newspaper.(Appendix ) . Subsequent to its release, it has been demonstrated at many teacher, community, professional organisation and Agency meetings as well as in many school classroom situations. “Waterlines, the Barmah-Millewa Redgum Forest", has received international exposure with demonstrations in Georgia, Tennessee and California in the United States of America, and in South-East Asia through acquisition by members of the Mekong Delta Commission. It is already incorporated into the curriculum of a number of schools and universities and appropriate workshops have been devised for this purpose. However as the “Barmah-Millewa Redgum Forest” CD Rom progressed, it became clear that the collation of resources for future CD Roms in the Waterlines serious would not be as easy. Much of the information was available from, and Copyright to, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, however in future there would be some difficulty in so easily obtaining information. Early approaches were made to both the cotton and rice industry groups (cotton and rice being the next projected CD Roms in the series), and the key personnel in these groups were shown one of the final prototypes of the Barmah-Millewa CD Rom. It was indicated to them that the CD Roms on cotton and rice would follow a similar format, so what was being demonstrated could give them a clear indication of the future Waterlines CD Roms. Both industry groups indicated enthusiasm to provide support and information when the time was appropriate.