Education Commons^™

Reproduction And Transformation Of Students' Technology Practice: The Tale Of Two Distinctive Secondary Student Cases, Karley A. Beckman, Sue Bennett, Lori Lockyer

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Disparities in the technology practices, skills and knowledge of school students still exist, despite widespread investment, and use in schools. In order to understand why inequalities remain, we first need a more nuanced understanding of students' technology practice, including understanding how their backgrounds, circumstances and experiences shape their perceptions of and engagement with technology. This paper proposes that research in the field of educational technology would benefit from a sociological framing in order to highlight how and why students use technology at school and in their everyday lives. The paper reports on a qualitative embedded case study of 13-16‐year‐old students …

When A Postgraduate Student Becomes A Novice Researcher And A Supervisor Becomes A Mentor: A Journey Of Research Identity Development, Melinda Kirk, Kylie Lipscombe

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Developing a research identity is a critical space for novice researchers in teacher education. This co-authored self-study explores the experiences of a postgraduate Master of Education student who was working as a novice research assistant with her supervisor and how these experiences contributed to research identify development. Utilising Gee's (2000) Identity Framework as an analytical frame we, a novice researcher and supervisor, examine entries of a reflective research journal and supervisor feedback to gain insights into experiences that both support and constrain positive research identity development. Specifically, we promote mentorship and collaborative research as an effective strategy in normalising the …

Vertical Whiteboarding: Riding The Wave Of Student Activity In A Mathematics Classroom, Patricia A. Forrester, Carolyn Mcphail, Suellen L. Denny

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In 2014 we commenced working on the Inspiring Mathematics and Science in Teacher Education (IMSITE) project, aimed at improving mathematics and science education in Australia by improving the recruitment, development and retention of mathematics and science teachers. In this project we undertook a range of activities, the most exciting of which was the introduction of whiteboarding as a tool to actively engage high school students with mathematics.

Student Isolation: The Experience Of Distance On An International Field Placement, Mim Fox

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In an era of global awareness of the impact of social, political and environmental impact, the international field placement has become a feature of many social work programmes throughout Australia. A theoretical framework of international social work principles allows for a guiding platform for teaching and learning; however, the experience of the social work student is often one of cultural isolation and emotional vulnerabilities. Whilst cross-cultural learning is a core practice goal of the placement, the ability to engage with this learning is affected by the impact of distance on the student. In turn, the university responsibility for the student …

Self-Determined Pedagogy And The Amotivated Student: Influence On Student Game Play, Dana J. Perlman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

An aspect deemed important in regards to student learning in physical education is the ability to demonstrate diverse skills within a variety of movement settings (National Association for Sport and Physical Education, 2004). Alderman, Beighle and Pangrazi (2006) suggest that motivation is a powerful influence on student learning of importance to this study is how to facilitate learning (i.e. psychomotor and cognitive) for students with low levels of motivation. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of self-determined pedagogy on amotivated student‟s motivation and game play. 81 (Male=41; Female=40) amotivated students were engaged in one of two …

Student Teachers' Cognition About L2 Pronunciation Instruction: A Case Study, Michael Burri

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In view of the minimal attention pronunciation teacher preparation has received in second language (L2) teacher education, this study examined the cognition (i.e. beliefs, thoughts, attitudes and knowledge) development of 15 student teachers during a postgraduate subject on pronunciation pedagogy offered at an Australian tertiary institution. Findings revealed that, as a result of taking the subject, student teachers' cognition shifted from teaching individual sounds (i.e. segmentals) to favouring a more balanced approach to pronunciation instruction. That is, teaching the melody of the English language (i.e. suprasegmentals) was seen as important as teaching segmentals. Non-native speakers' self-perceived pronunciation improvement, an increase …

Recovering Knowledge For Science Education Research: Exploring The "Icarus Effect" In Student Work, Helen Georgiou, Karl A. Maton, Manjula Sharma

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Science education research has built a strong body of work on students' understandings but largely overlooked the nature of science knowledge itself. Legitimation Code Theory (LCT), a rapidly growing approach to education, offers a way of analyzing the organizing principles of knowledge practices and their effects on science education. This article focuses on one specific concept from LCT-semantic gravity-that conceptualizes differences in context dependence. The article uses this concept to qualitatively analyze tertiary student responses to a thermal physics question. One result, that legitimate answers must reside within a specific range of context dependence, illustrates how a focus on the …

Conceptualising Technology Use As Social Practice To Research Student Experiences Of Technology In Higher Education, Sue Bennett

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The purpose of this paper is to argue for the importance of sociological approaches to educational technology research which can make new advances in the field that complement the existing research base. Such research can address questions of how individuals use technology across different spheres of their lives, including education, and asks what role technology plays in educational institutions and how it interacts academic practices. Research of this kind can tells us much about how we might adopt and adapt technologies from outside education to support teaching and learning. By conceptualising technology use as social practice, rather than as attributes …

Self-Determination Theory And Teacher Instruction: A Positive Partnership For Student Performance And Involvement, Dana Perlman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of distinct motivationally-based instructional approaches on student's game performance and involvement. 78 secondary physical education students were taught a unit of volleyball using one in either an autonomy-supportive, controlling or balanced instructional style. Using a pretest and posttest design, students were measured on their game performance and involvement during 20-minute game of volleyball. Data analysis indicated that students engaged in the autonomy-supportive context illustrated significantly higher levels of performance and involvement when compared with the other groups.

Listening To Student Voice: An Evaluation Of Wooglemai Environmental Education Centre’S Youth Environmental Network Eco-Leadership Camp, Peter Andersen

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The staff members from the Department of Education and Communities Wooglemai Environmental Educational Centre (WEEC) have hosted an annual residential eco-leadership camp for secondary students since 2011. The name of the camp is ‘Youth Environmental Network Eco-Leadership Camp’ (YEN). The participants have primarily been Year 7 to 10 students from New South Wales government schools. There would normally be thirty students (male and female) attending the YEN, with the duration of the camp being four days and three nights.

The purpose of the YEN camp is to provide an opportunity for students to air their concerns about the state of …

Transitions And Turning Points: How First In Female Students Story Their Transition To University And Student Identity Formation, Sarah Elizabeth O'Shea

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The purpose of this article is to explore how one group of students reflect upon their transition into the higher education environment. This qualitative research project followed one group of female undergraduate students as they moved through the first year of study. All of the participants were the first in their family to consider further education and each participated in four semi-structured interviews over one year. Drawing on the conceptual lens of 'turning points', the intent is to provide a 'close-up' analysis of the complex process of identity formation within the university landscape. By revisiting the students at various points …

Changes In Pre-Service Teachers Perceptions’ Of Tea Cher Qualities: Development From Egocentric To Student Centric, Lynn D. Sheridan

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This study looks at pre-service teachers’ developing perceptions wit h a view to supporting teacher education practices. In determining and guiding program structures it is the opinions of the experts that are most often heard. Absent from this debate is an understanding of the changing perceptions of the pre-service teacher as they progress through their program. The purpose of this paper is to extend our understanding of pre-service teacher belief systems’ highlighting, the relevance this has for understanding and supporting pre-service teacher development. The perceptions of valued teacher qualities changed from ego-centric beliefs to student centric practices for the participants …

Manipulation Of The Self-Determined Learning Environment On Student Motivation And Affect Within Secondary Physical Education, Dana Perlman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Secondary physical education (PE) has become a popular area of inquiry because students are not meeting overarching goals of PE programs, are less motivated, and demonstrate negative affect while in class. As such, teachers and researchers are starting to examine pedagogical approaches that support student motivation as a means to alleviate some of the aforementioned issues. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of two different learning contexts based within self-determination theory on the motivation and affect of secondary PE students. Seventy-nine secondary PE students were randomly assigned to a unit of basketball taught in either a …

Student Perceptions Of High-Achieving Classmates, Marion Händel, Wilma Vialle, Albert Ziegler

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The reported study investigated students' perceptions of their high-performing classmates in terms of intelligence, social skills, and conscientiousness in different school subjects. The school subjects for study were examined with regard to cognitive, physical, and gender-specific issues. The results show that high academic achievements in particular school subjects lead to negative reactions in the peer group whereas high achievements in other school subjects result in positive peer reactions. In contrast, the respondents' gender and the gender of the successful classmates had little influence on student perceptions of high achievers. The results are discussed in regard to their implications for gifted …

Learning, Explaining And Communicating Science With Student-Created Blended Media, Garry F. Hoban, Wendy S. Nielsen

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The goal of this study was to trial the feasibility of using a new assignment in a science methods course for trainee primary teachers focusing on "student-created blended media". This form integrates video with animation and static images, all linked by a narration, that students create to explain a science concept for the purpose of teaching someone. There were 129 students in the course spread across four locations and each was allocated a science topic to explain. Two hours of the course were allocated to teaching students the skills of making blended media and they then used their own technology …

Using Turnitin To Respond To Student Writing, Amy Conley Wright, Wen Chuang

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

A seminar held at the San Francisco State University as part of the Annual Winter Writing Colloquium on 22 January 2013.

A Cross-Sectional Study Of Student Teachers' Behaviour Management Strategies Throughout Their Training Years, Stuart Woodcock, Andrea Reupert

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Despite the importance of behaviour management, many student teachers report being inadequately trained in this area. The aim of this study was to identify the strategies, confidence and reported levels of success in regard to various behaviour management strategies, across 509 first, second, third and fourth year student teachers training to be primary teachers. The most significant differences were found between first and second year student teachers in regard to their use of, and confidence in, initial and later corrective strategies, and between second and third year student teachers in terms of their use of, and confidence in, differentiating curriculum …

Turning The Switch On! The Teachers’ Ability To Influence Student Motivation In Physical Education, Dana Perlman, Philip J. Pearson, Kim Mckeen, Gregory J. Forrest

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Student motivation is an area of importance in physical education due to the association with enhanced levels of effort, participation and aspects of learning (Tjeerdsma-Blankenship, 2008; Chen, 2001). Physical education specialists are routinely challenged by students who demonstrate behaviours indicative of low levels of motivation, such as high rates of absenteeism and severely low levels of active participation within the class setting (Ntoumanis, Peensgaard, Martin & Pipe, 2004). Bryan and Solmon (2007) indicate that the teacher is a primary driver for the development and implementation of experiences that support and/or thwart student motivation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was …

The Secret Of Excellence In Student Services - A Case Example Of Cross-Institution Collaboration And Cooperation, Cathy Stone, Annie Andrews, Melissa Moore, Allison Cahill, Sarah O'Shea, David Said

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Articulating Constructionism: Learning Science Through Designing And Making "Slowmations" (Student-Generated Animations), Garry Hoban, Wendy Nielsen, Charles Carceller

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This conceptual paper analyses several theoretical frameworks for “learning through making” using technology. First, the theoretical framework of Constructionism, which was proposed by Seymour Papert (1987), is discussed which is based on an integration of constructivist views of learning and social views of learning. Second, several instructional design frameworks are analysed and finally a theoretical framework based on Peirce‟s (1931) Semiotic Triad is explained. An example of learning through making is provided in the form of a “Slowmation” (abbreviated from “Slow Animation”), which is a new way for preservice teachers to learn science by making a narrated animation. It is …

Data Dumping, After The Test You Forget It All: Seeking Deep Approaches To Science Learning With Slowmation (Student-Generated Animations), Garry Hoban

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

It Is not uncommon for university students to role learn facts and formulae to memorise information for a test. Unfortunately, these surface approaches to learning are encouraged by the complex teaching and learning system embedded in the context of university courses. Where possible, academics should encourage students to develop a deep approach to learning in their subJects. ' Slowmation" (abbreviated from Slow Animation) is an innovative teaching strategy that encourages students to design and make their own narrated digital animation that is played slowly at 2 frames/second to explain a concept. It is a simplified way of making animations that …

Hearing The Student Voice - Examining The Processes Of Transition, Persistence And Engagement For A Group Of First Year, First In Family University Students, Sarah O'Shea

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper outlines a qualitative, narrative study that focuses on the student experience as it relates to a particular cohort of students namely women who are the first in the family to attend university. Seventeen students were recruited to participate in a series of four semi-structured interviews conducted throughout one academic year. These interviews investigated the processes involved in transition as well as the perceptions held about engaging in tertiary study and the hurdles encountered during the year. The research accompanied the students as each travelled through the university environment, exploring what it means to be a 'first-year student'. The …

Learning Or Performance: Predicting Drivers Of Student Motivation, Shane P. Dawson, Leah Macfadyen, Lori Lockyer

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

There is substantial research demonstrating that a student’s motivation for learning can be largely explained in terms of their preferred achievement orientation. This paper explores a case study investigating ICT derived lead indicators of student achievement orientation, and therefore underlying motivations. The study incorporated Tan’s (2009) research on learning dispositions to quantify student achievement orientations. These findings were then correlated with student LMS data to identify if patterns of online behaviour are indicative of the observed achievement orientation scores. The results suggest that there is a significant correlation between student achievement orientation and participation in discussion forums. Students reporting a …

Overseas Trained Teachers (Otts): Student Attitudes And Expectations In The Context Of Vocational Education, Jill Murray, Judith Cross

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

The vocational education and preparation of overseas trained teachers (OTTs) in NSW is a demanding and lengthy process. It involves the development of communicative language ability to a standard equivalent to native-like vocational proficiency in two domains: linguistic and pragmatic. In order to demonstrate competence at this level, OTTs in NSW are required to pass an English language test, the NSW Professional English Assessment for Teachers (PEAT). In the PEAT, Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing are specifically tested in the context of workplace requirements for the NSW education system. Success in the PEAT leads directly to the DET Pre-Employment Program. …

The Online Acculturation Of Chinese Student 'Sojourners', Tsai-Hung Chen, Susan J. Bennett, Karl A. Maton

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper presents a work-in-progress research project that explores the acculturation of Chinese student 'sojourners' to online learning at an Australian university. Building on Berry's (1980, 2005) acculturation frameworks, this project examines the processes of change in the students' perceptions of online learning and the strategies they use to adapt to online learning. The research consists of two parts: a pilot study and the main study. The aims of this paper are to explain why Berry's frameworks have been chosen for this investigation and to report on the pilot study findings. The overall results indicate a strong clash of educational …

Student Teachers And Critical Approaches To Education: Re-Imagining The 'Other' Through A Re-Imagining Of The Learning Environment, Gordon L. Brown

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper reports on a teacher education initiative that seeks a more effective approach to a commonly used treatment of education foundations, particularly the sociology and philosophy of education. The initiative takes as its starting points a critique of education foundation practices in at least two universities and the standpoint that the main rationale for including education foundations is to (morally) influence learning outcomes in schools. The ‘vehicle’ or ‘mechanism’ for this re-conceptualisation is a developing theory of the Learning Environment, used by the author and others, which takes the Learning Environment to be not simply the location of learning …

Supporting First Year Student Supporters: An Online Mentoring Model For Supplemental Instruction Leaders, Phillip Dawson, Lori Lockyer, Brian Ferry

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Supplemental Instruction (SI), or Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) as it is commonly known in Australia, involves experienced senior student Peer Leaders who provide regularly scheduled peer learning sessions with students enrolled in university courses. Commonly implemented on first year subjects, the sessions integrate how to learn with what to learn, helping students achieve better grades and helping raise student retention rates. This paper discusses the challenges of supporting SI Leaders who are geographically dispersed across multiple campuses and considers the theoretical and empirical informs the development of an online mentoring model.

Online Forum Discussion Interactions As An Indicator Of Student Community, Shane Dawson

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Given the current diversity of communication tools at an educator's disposal, what role (if any) does the discussion forum play in the development of a strong sense of community among students? This study sought to investigate the relationship between discussion forum interaction and perceived student sense of community. The results of the study demonstrate that while mere quantity of discussion forum postings is not an indicator of community development, a significant relationship is observed when contributions are codified into the various discussion interaction types (learner -learner; learner - content; system), An implication emerging from these findings is the ability for …

Dive In 2005 - A Cd Rom In 'Student Speak' For First Year Students, Pauline Lysaght, Russell Walton

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper reports on the development of a CD-ROM for undergraduate students beginning their first year of study in 2005 in the Faculty of Education at the University of Wollongong. The CD (entitled Dive In 2005: A Guide for Beginning Education Students) includes information about many aspects of university life ranging from general policies, procedures and resources to facultyspecific items that support the academic and social life of Education students. An innovative feature of Dive In 2005 is the degree of involvement of “experienced” undergraduate students at every level of its production. By drawing on the wisdom of these continuing …

University Student Administration And Quality Improvement - A Holistic Approach, Narottam L. Bhindi, P Shanahan

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper explores links between quality in student administraiton with overall university quality. It identifies the need for a holistic approach to quality improvement in student administration within Australian universities. It suggests that the challenge for quality improvement is to first develop a knowledge of stakeholders' conceptions of quality and then design matching quality improvement processes and procedures within a 'learning organisation' context. Further, it argues that long term success in the area of quality improvement will be determined by 'authentic leadership' within a context of organisational cultural change.