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Full-Text Articles in Education

Ritual And Pedagogy : Teachers' Use Of Ritual In Pre-Primary Classroom Settings, Carmel Maloney Jan 1997

Ritual And Pedagogy : Teachers' Use Of Ritual In Pre-Primary Classroom Settings, Carmel Maloney

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Pre-primary teachers' daily organisation and routines are established through repetitive patterns of actions which become highly ritualised. This study examines how pre-primary teachers use ritual and how ritual structures teaching in pre-primary classroom settings and in doing so serves a pedagogical purpose for teachers. Describing forms and functions of ritual provides a way of examining and interpreting what teachers know and do and how they go about their work. The interpretive paradigm of qualitative methodology has been adopted for the study. Participant observation and structured interviews are used as the primary methods of conducting field work and collecting data. The …


The Role Of Visual Art Works In The Theory And Practice Of Education With Reference To The Perceptions Of Western Australian Primary Visual Arts Specialist Teachers, Diana J. Brown Jan 1997

The Role Of Visual Art Works In The Theory And Practice Of Education With Reference To The Perceptions Of Western Australian Primary Visual Arts Specialist Teachers, Diana J. Brown

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The study examines the role of visual art works in primary education. This involves three levels of investigation. Level 1 examines the role of these art works in the main philosophies of visual arts education; Level 2 examines the role of visual art works in the Western Australia Art and Crqft K-7 Syllabus; and Level 3 examines visual arts primary specialist teachers' perceptions of the role of visual art works in their teaching programmes. The purpose is to establish the relationships between these three levels of analysis so as to contribute towards an explanation of the disparity between the high …


Dramatic Role-Play As A Process Of Exploration With Adolescents : A Phenomenological Study, P. R. Wearne Jan 1997

Dramatic Role-Play As A Process Of Exploration With Adolescents : A Phenomenological Study, P. R. Wearne

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this research study is to describe the lived experience of adolescents with dramatic role-play as a process of exploration. The responses of the participants are compared with the proposed learning objectives of the researcher. A comparison is provided which occasionally reflects a difference in actual or perceived learning and expected learning. The process of exploration about self and society is undertaken by using dramatic role-play as a specific methodology of process drama. The current theories of 'drama education', 'process drama' and 'role-play' are discussed and evidenced through the drama experience of the research participants. Although generalisations are …


The Pedagogical Significance Of The Life And Work Of Artist Helen Grey-Smith, Gwen Phillips Jan 1997

The Pedagogical Significance Of The Life And Work Of Artist Helen Grey-Smith, Gwen Phillips

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Visual arts educational practice has been built upon a tradition which has neglected the work of women artists. The reasons for this are explored in the introduction to this research and in the literature review. The research will examine aspects of the lived experience and work of a Western Australian woman visual artist within a context of the traditional cultural and educational paradigms which influenced her development as a visual artist and which, it may be argued, continue to influence all visual artists. The participant in the research, Helen Grey Smith, has been a prominent member of the visual arts …


Evaluation Of Rainbows, A Program Designed To Assist Bereaved Children In The Grieving Process, Caroline G. O'Shannassy Jan 1997

Evaluation Of Rainbows, A Program Designed To Assist Bereaved Children In The Grieving Process, Caroline G. O'Shannassy

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

There are many children who have suffered the loss of a parent through death or divorce/separation. Generally, people expect children to "carry on" while such traumatic events in their lives take place. Bereaved parents may send their children back to school as soon as possible after the death. In the case of divorce/ separation, the child attends school while the trauma unfolds on a day-to- day basis. Bereaved and distressed parents are often unaware of their children's grief and unable to give the support that the children need. Parents are likely to deny, on many occasions, that the children have …


The Leadership Roles Of The Child Care Centre Supervisor In Singapore, Winnie Tan Jan 1997

The Leadership Roles Of The Child Care Centre Supervisor In Singapore, Winnie Tan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study was; (a) to describe the current situation of child care provision in Singapore; (b) to define the meaning of leadership and the responsibilities involved in effective leadership in a child care setting; and (c) to investigate and describe the leadership roles that child care centre supervisors need to perform in the day to day running of their centres from the perspective of the child care supervisors. A total of 15 supervisors from the private sector were interviewed in-depth. They were asked to describe all facets of their leadership roles in their centres. The results of …


A Behavioural Checklist For The Measurement Of Self-Esteem In The Classroom, Dawn Metcalfe Jan 1997

A Behavioural Checklist For The Measurement Of Self-Esteem In The Classroom, Dawn Metcalfe

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The study sets out to develop a behavioural checklist for the measurement of self-esteem in the classroom. The importance of self-esteem to learning and adjustment to life's situation is well recognised by educational practitioners and theorists. This study examined the concept of self-esteem and the need for an objective instrument to measure the concept in children aged 6 to 12 years. The development of the instrument was in four phases and in every phase the input and feedback of classroom teachers was considered crucial The resulting instrument therefore comprises descriptions which are entirely teacher-generated. At several points in the process …


Authentic Learning In Interactive Multimedia Environments, Janice A. Herrington Jan 1997

Authentic Learning In Interactive Multimedia Environments, Janice A. Herrington

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The instructional technology community is in the midst of a philosophical shift from a behaviourist to a constructivist framework, a move that may begin to address the growing rift between formal school learning and real-life learning. One theory of learning which has the capacity to promote authentic learning is that of situated learning. The purpose of the study was to investigate the way students learn from an interactive multimedia package and learning environment based on a situated learning model. To do this, it was necessary to identify the critical characteristics of a situated learning model based on the extensive literature …


Secondary Arts Teachers' Perceptions Of Integrated Arts, Jeanette Giroud Jan 1997

Secondary Arts Teachers' Perceptions Of Integrated Arts, Jeanette Giroud

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

During the 1980s, research in the arts by Project Zero and Arts Propel revealed that in American schooling the areas of artistic intelligence and artistic education had been neglected. Gardner (1989) proposed a theory of multiple intelligences, suggesting that in addition to the linguistic and logical-mathematical forms, there are a number of distinct forms of intelligence that each individual may possess in varying degrees. The concept of multiple intelligences as opposed to "talent" in an art form offers the opportunity to view arts education in a new light. The original purpose of Arts Propel was to assess artistic potential in …


Pre-Primary Children's Progress And The School Development Plan, Elizabeth A. Moulin Jan 1997

Pre-Primary Children's Progress And The School Development Plan, Elizabeth A. Moulin

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In recent years several policy changes have occurred in Western Australia regarding the provision of pre-compulsory education, particularly for children turning five. These changes have led to education of such children centred largely in full-time, on-site classes rather than in sessional, independent community centres, resulting in pre-primary education becoming mainstream school business. As such it is incorporated in the administrative, managerial and educational policies of the school including school development planning. The school development plan (SDP), a major tool of accountability within the school, provides a planning framework in selected priority areas in which methods of assessment and evaluation of …


Teaching Principals : Educational Restructuring And Transformational Leadership, Kevin P. Gillan Jan 1997

Teaching Principals : Educational Restructuring And Transformational Leadership, Kevin P. Gillan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The restructuring of. the Education Department of Western Australia (EDWA) since 1987 has seen the devolution and decentralisation of administrative responsibilities from the central education authority to schools. The onset of an era of educational restructuring has significantly changed the work of primary school principals. They have become responsible for the transformation of schools from a bureaucratic form of organisation to ones that are characterised by school based decision-making and management. The new form of organisation is intended to sustain a process of continuous school improvement. As well as managing change there has also been an expectation for principals to …


Teachers Of Mathematics Teach Mathematics Differently : A Case Study Of Two Teachers, Jennie Bickmore-Brand Jan 1997

Teachers Of Mathematics Teach Mathematics Differently : A Case Study Of Two Teachers, Jennie Bickmore-Brand

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates the different approaches adopted by two teachers for teaching mathematical content at the upper primary level of education. Questions have been raised by researchers about the impact teachers' philosophical background may have on their perception of how mathematics should be taught. Similarly questions have been asked about the role of content in mathematics education in relation to the process of education. The two teachers held different beliefs about what they were doing when they were teaching mathematics and why they were teaching that way. Their methodological emphases were different; one could be described as being more learner-centred …


Student Violence And School Practice : Experiences Of A Lower Secondary Male Student Using The Methodology Of Participant Observation, Denese Shepherdson Jan 1997

Student Violence And School Practice : Experiences Of A Lower Secondary Male Student Using The Methodology Of Participant Observation, Denese Shepherdson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

School experiences are said to be a preparation for life. The experience of violence perpetrated against a male student over a period of years has resulted in wide reaching implications for him, his family, the perpetrators, his peer group and school staff. This case study examines the experiences of a provocative victim and his bullies.


The Influence Of Student Perceptions About School Experience On Non-University Bound Students' Motivation To Succeed, Caroline Mansfield Jan 1997

The Influence Of Student Perceptions About School Experience On Non-University Bound Students' Motivation To Succeed, Caroline Mansfield

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In Australiari high schools today there. are increasingly greater numbers of students completing a final two years of post-compulsory secondary schooling Without the intention of progressing to a university tertiary education. Educators acknowledge that the comparative lack of motivation displayed by these students poses problems within the classroom and the educational system and most are concerned about how best to cater for the distinct and unique needs of this group of students. This thesis investigates the influence of student perceptions about school experience on Year 12 non-university bound students' motivation to succeed. The study focuses on the perceptions students hold …


Increasing Eye Contact And Appropriate Verbalizations Of Young Children With Autistic Characteristics, Ping P. Seah Jan 1997

Increasing Eye Contact And Appropriate Verbalizations Of Young Children With Autistic Characteristics, Ping P. Seah

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Social skills have been widely regarded by researchers and educators to be crucial to successful school performances as well as an individual's overall social functioning. The need to be competent in social skills increases for children with autism or autistic characteristics. A teaching strategy was modelled and taught to increase appropriate verbal and nonverbal responses of the participants through sociodramatic play with the researcher and trained peers. Hats and toys belonging to various occupations were used as training material. The two dependent variables measured were the number of appropriate verbalizations and total length of eye contact time given by each …


Investigating Conditions For Higher Order Thinking In Telematics Environments, Catherine Mcloughlin Jan 1997

Investigating Conditions For Higher Order Thinking In Telematics Environments, Catherine Mcloughlin

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Telematics, or audiographic conferencing, enables synchronous communication via telecommunications. A telephone link and computer communications allow students in distributed classrooms to participate in an extended, or virtual classroom. Telematics is widely used as an instructional medium for the delivery of curricula to students in rural and remote parts of Western Australia. Previous studies of learning meditated by this technology have shown limitations on the forms of interactivity, tasks and learner engagement. Students typically have been found to assume a passive role, often listening to a distant and invisible teacher, but not engaging in cognitively demanding tasks. The tendency for teachers …


Year 7 Students' Understanding Of The Relationship Between Area And Perimeter, L. Marshall Jan 1997

Year 7 Students' Understanding Of The Relationship Between Area And Perimeter, L. Marshall

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The aim of this study was to determine Year 7 students' understanding of the relationship between area and perimeter. This is an important part of the measurement strand of mathematics. Two methods of collecting data were used: a multiple-choice pencil-and-paper test item; and clinical interviews with a class of Year 7 students. Two Perth metropolitan government primary schools allowed access for the research to take place: one was used for the trial of the test item with eleven students; the students at the other school were given the validated test item followed, one week later, by clinical interviews. Analysis of …


A Descriptive Study Of The Use Of A Problem Solving Heuristic In A Cooperative Small Group Setting, Kim Pitts-Hill Jan 1997

A Descriptive Study Of The Use Of A Problem Solving Heuristic In A Cooperative Small Group Setting, Kim Pitts-Hill

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research is in the area of small group cooperative learning. Cooperative learning groups range in size from two to eight students and have, as a central focus, students working collaboratively to achieve common goals. Generally members of the group have their individual a:1d group responsibilities and the task is usually not completed unless every member participates in the activity. Exponents of cooperative learning methods claim that student achievement and understanding of the content is equal if not better than learning under traditional methods due to increased social skills, improved self esteem, and the reduced effects of ethnic differences or …


Critical Competencies For Effective Teaching : Perceptions Of Home Economics Teachers, Esthery D. Kunkwenzu Jan 1997

Critical Competencies For Effective Teaching : Perceptions Of Home Economics Teachers, Esthery D. Kunkwenzu

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Home economics is a multi-faceted, inter-disciplinary, integrated field of study drawing from a multitude of disciplines including sociology, psychology, anthropology, chemistry, physics, architecture and the arts (Henry, 1995). As a school subject, home economics in Malawi is taught at primary school, secondary school as well as at university level. This study explores home economics teachers' perceptions of competencies critical for teaching the subject. Data was collected from secondary school home economics teachers in Malawi. The study is a qualitative investigation of how experienced teachers describe effective teaching of the integrated home economics syllabus, and what they perceive as critical competencies …


Teacher Attitudes To Approaches To Teacher Education In Adult Tesol, Paul Mercieca Jan 1997

Teacher Attitudes To Approaches To Teacher Education In Adult Tesol, Paul Mercieca

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study looked closely at the attitudes of TESOL teachers to a range of approaches to teacher education, with particular emphasis on the role of classroom observation. The influence of pre- and in-service training and the school environment was probed through semi-structured interviews and confirmatory discussions. Participants for this qualitative study were practising TESOL teachers at the Centre for International English, Curtin University, Western Australia. The approach taken was to allow them, as far as possible, to identify issues in teacher education for themselves. At the same time, their words were used, where possible, to describe attitudes to these issues. …


Extending And Exploring Students' Problem Solving Via Problem Posing, Elena N. Stoyanova Jan 1997

Extending And Exploring Students' Problem Solving Via Problem Posing, Elena N. Stoyanova

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Despite the fact that problem posing has been recommended as a useful mathematical activity in the curriculum documents of several countries, research about the types of problem-posing situations in which students could be involved, and about the effects of these problem-posing activities on students' mathematical performance is limited. The application of problem posing in school mathematics has been hindered by the absence of a framework which links problem posing, problem solving and mathematics curricula


Children's Services In Denmark : A Contextual Analysis And Critique, Teresa A. Harms Jan 1997

Children's Services In Denmark : A Contextual Analysis And Critique, Teresa A. Harms

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The late 1990’s in Australia have seen major stresses in State and Federal systems of early years provision and have highlighted the need to develop an integrated approach to early years policy and provision to meet better the changing needs of Australian families. As an experienced Australian practitioner in the early years, the researcher decided to explore another country’s approach to early childhood provision and to contextualise her Australian experience from a fresh perspective. In Kandel’s (1933, 1955) terms, this is a classic area study rather than one which seeks to merely to compare and contrast.


Teaching Visual Arts Through Distance Education : An Evaluation Of The Program Anyone Can Draw, Jane Whelan Jan 1997

Teaching Visual Arts Through Distance Education : An Evaluation Of The Program Anyone Can Draw, Jane Whelan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The problem under investigation is concerned with the teaching of drawing through distance education. Traditionally drawing has occupied a central position in visual art teaching and learning and is still regarded as a significant area of visual arts education. In the visual arts curriculum of Western Australia, drawing, which is included in the broader term visual inquiry, is regarded as the foundation for studio practice. It is therefore appropriate to include drawing as part of every visual arts teaching program. The correspondence mode of teaching, which has a text-base, is a more formal style of teaching art than the responsive …