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Petrov goes into cyberspace
By Megan Staunton
The Petrov Affair, an exhibition at Old Parliament House, finished in August and, with a steady stream of visitors, was one of the House's most successful exhibitions.
Staff at Old Parliament House do not want anyone to miss out on this compelling historical drama, especially school students.
Students from years 9 to 12 from around Australia can now study Australia's most fascinating Cold War incident online.
Using a web-based learning program called WebQuest students can learn all there is to know about the spies, espionage and intrigue that dominated Australian politics in the 1950s and beyond.
The WebQuest called The Petrov Affair: a nation in fear? shows students the alarm created by the defection of Russian diplomat Vladimir Petrov, and his wife, Evdokia.
Digitised versions of many of the most important documents are on the National Archives of Australia website. There students can study primary materials such as the report on the 1954 Royal Commission on Espionage, the Moscow letters, and Mr Petrov's defection letter.
By using WebQuest students pick up valuable information and communications technology skills. They also discover how to follow an online learning program, navigate the Internet and how to become critical users of online information.
There are also links to other websites so students can follow the events, and understand the impact the Petrov Affair had on the Australian political landscape.
An online guide for teachers explains the process for using WebQuest, including the suggested timeline and assessment criteria, a list of useful resources and an explanation of the expected outcomes of the program.
Kate Cowie, general manager of Old Parliament House, believes the Petrov Affair WebQuest provides an excellent opportunity for all Australian students to learn about the story that dominated Australian headlines 50 years ago.
‘It is a fantastic opportunity for students in all corners of Australia to use online resources to learn about the nation's most fascinating spy story and to discover how it has shaped our modern political environment,' Ms Cowie said.
‘We know that teachers use and design their own WebQuests and, as a cultural institution, we wanted to provide an authentic learning resource. The material covered in this WebQuest sits solidly in the curriculum for secondary students when, inquiring into events in Australia after World War II, they study the Petrov Affair.'
Old Parliament House is open daily 9am–5pm. The WebQuest is available at www.oph.gov.au/petrovwebquest until December 2006. For more information on the WebQuest call Old Parliament House on 02 6270 8282.