Education Commons^™

Using Mobile Technologies And Podcasts To Enhance Learning Experiences In Lecture-Based University Course Delivery, Ron Oliver, Joseph Luca

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper describes a study that sought to explore the use of mobile technologies as a means to enhance the learning experience of students in a tertiary course of study. In particular the study involved the development of podcasting and vodcasting as an alternative to lecturing. Digital lectures were created to replicate the content usually presented in formal lectures. Students were able to access the lectures through such mobile devices as iPods and wireless enabled computers. The study sought to explore how students used these digital resources and the educational advantages that were achieved.

Waiting In Line: African Refugee Students In Western Australian Schools, Yvonne Haig, Rhonda Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

This study has been commissioned by the Westralian Association of Teachers English to Speakers of Other Languages (WATESOL) to determine the perceptions and expectations of those stakeholders involved in the education of African refugee children.

To do this study first a literature review was undertaken in order for the researchers to determine how much information was available and to improve their understanding of the subject matter. It appears that there is a growing body of research in Australia investigating the social, psychological and educational needs of African refugees, particularly those who have faced trauma (Earnest, IIousen, & Gillieatt, 2007; 2004). …

Reducing The Effects Of Bullying Among Aboriginal Children Living In Rural Western Australia: Annual Report, Child Health Promotion Research Unit, Edith Cowan University

Research outputs pre 2011

It is unknown how Aboriginal children and adults conceptualize childhood bullying and what school/community intervention programs are appropriate. The Solid Kids, Solid Schools project will use a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods to develop culturally informed and determined understandings of bullying among Aboriginal children. These understandings can then be used to formatively develop a sustainable school and community-based bullying prevention and reduction program with strategies identified by Aboriginal people for use in schools in the Yamaji region or Midwest, Murchison Education District of Western Australia.

According to the funding proposal a Steering Committee was established to provide project …

Impact Of Extra-Curricular Activities On Adolescents' Connectedness And Cigarette Smoking: Final Report, Margaret Hall, Greg Hamilton, Therese Shaw, Donna Cross, Tommy Cordin, Leanne Lester, Stacey Waters

Research outputs pre 2011

In Australia, cigarette smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death and yet in the past 10 years, despite efforts that have been made in the classroom and through the media, there have been limited reductions in adolescent smoking. The Extra-curricular Project builds on the work of two other projects conducted by researchers from the Child Health Promotion Research Centre (CHPRC). The Smoking Cessation for Youth Project (SCYP), conducted by the Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research, led to the identification of connectedness as a key mediator of cigarette smoking. The role of extra-curricular activities in mediating school …

Explorations In Metacognition: The Design, Development, And Implementation Of An Online Teamwork Tracking Environment, Mark Mcmahon, Joseph Luca

Research outputs pre 2011

Research shows that both metacognitive and cognitive strategies are needed for successful learning. In this study, an online tool was developed with a view to help students working in teams reflect on their learning strategies through a process of planning, monitoring and evaluation. An evaluation of the tool was administered at the end of the semester that showed the students valued the tool for tracking their teamwork, but weren’t so convinced it help them plan, monitor and evaluate their learning. These results are discussed, and recommendations are made for improvement using a design-based research approach.

Reusing And Sharing Learning Designs In Higher Education, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper discusses the emerging need and opportunities for the development of representations and forms for learning designs, the activities a teacher plans to engage learners in learning settings. The paper argues that effective teaching practice, especially that involving ICT, should be able to be described and represented in ways that facilitate sharing and reuse. The paper discusses the ways in which descriptions of learning activities and practices can be described and stored so that they might be accessed and used by others. It describes a Carrick Institute project which seeks to develop strategies and resources that will provide answers …

Perceptions And Needs Of Rural Young People In The South-West Of Western Australia : Implications For Pedagogy, Rhonda Oliver, Lynelle Watts, Joan Strikwerda-Brown, David Hodgson, Marilyn Palmer

Research outputs pre 2011

The original purpose of this study was to investigate youth needs, specifically in the south western region (the 'South West') of Western Australia, and then to explore how these needs might be addressed in terms of current curriculum and teaching practices. The following research questions guided our investigation:

- What are the educational and occupational aspirations of young people from the South West of Western Australia?

- What do young people identify as influences on their educational and occupational aspirations and attainment?

As the data collection progressed, it was evident to all those involved that, whilst there were expressed needs, …

Producing Graduates With Essential Generic Skills: A Model For Teaching And Learning, Joseph Luca, Deanna Heal

Research outputs pre 2011

Higher education institutions are under increasing pressure from government, industry and business organizations to equip students with required discipline based skills as well as generic skills. At the same time universities are experiencing cuts in resources and increased competition for student numbers. Within this environment, there is much uncertainty as to how to effectively prepare students for the university/industry nexus. This paper investigates the effectiveness of a teaching and learning model designed with the key aim of helping promote students' employability prospects. The model focuses on providing activities that identify, and help improve students' job-specific and generic skills. In this …

Small Business Owners: Too Busy To Train?, Elizabeth Walker, Janice Redmond, Beverley Webster, Megan Le Clus

Research outputs pre 2011

Purpose – The reason often cited for the poor relationship between small businesses and their uptake of vocational education and training is that small business owner-managers claim that they are too busy to engage in training or any type of learning activity and that most training is of little value to them. The aim of the research is to examine the relationship between these factors.

Design/methodology/approach – Using qualitative research methods the study collected data of the knowledge, attitudes and needs of small business owner-managers, both before and after participation in a training program.

Findings – This study has indicated …

Primary Connections: Reforming Science Teaching In Australian Primary Schools, Mark Hackling, Shelley Peers, Vaughan Prain

Research outputs pre 2011

Concerns about the status and quality of science teaching in Australian primary schools led the Australian Academy of Science to develop Primary Connections over 2004-8 with funding from DEST and the support of states and territories. Primary Connections is a teacher professional learning program supported with curriculum resources that aims to enhance learning outcomes in science and the literacies of science by supporting both inservice and preservice primary teachers to teach science effectively. Primary Connections is a systematic, widespread and innovative reform that complements programs within states and territories. The program is based on an innovative teaching and learning approach …

Generating A Gender Balance: Making Introductory Information Systems Courses A Positive Experience, Rosemary Stockdale, Susan Stoney

Research outputs pre 2011

There is a growing shortfall of graduates entering the IT profession. The situation is exacerbated by the continuing decline in the number of women undertaking IT related degrees. However, there are an increasing number of students taking business degrees that have a small information systems component, although few students choose to major in IS. Using a qualitative reflective approach we identify the perceptions and experiences of female undergraduates taking introductory IS courses in two universities, one in Australia and one in New Zealand. We discuss ways of improving the delivery of introductory IS courses in order to make information systems …

A Self-Assessment Tool To Help Learners Develop Teamwork Skills, Mark Mcmahon, Joseph Luca, Christina John

Research outputs pre 2011

Teamwork skills and the ability to effectively collaborate with peers continue to be hailed as essential skills by employers and higher education funding authorities, and many employers require new graduates to demonstrate these skills as part of the selection criteria. How then can we prepare graduates for this employment market that actively assesses teamwork and other generic skills such as communication, problem solving and leadership skills? This paper outlines the self-assessment component of an on-line learning tool designed to help students develop understandings of themselves and their skill levels. These results are used to help select team roles and provide …

Design-Based Research And Doctoral Students: Guidelines For Preparing A Dissertation Proposal, J Herrington, S Mckenney, T Reeves, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

At first glance, design-based research may appear to be such a long-term and intensive approach to educational inquiry that doctoral students, most of whom expect to complete their Ph.D. degree in 4-5 years, should not attempt to adopt this approach for their doctoral dissertations. In this paper, we argue that design-based research is feasible for doctoral students, and that candidates should be encouraged to engage in it. More specifically, we describe the components of a dissertation proposal or prospectus that utilizes design-based research methods in the context of educational technology research.

Jamtart: An Online Performance Support System For Project Management, Joseph Luca, Mark Mcmahon

Research outputs pre 2011

The continuing focus on generic skills in higher education and the embedding of graduate attributes into university policy and planning requires a rethink of how such generic skills can be promoted in a holistic and contextual manner. JAMTART is a product that has been developed to address key generic skills processes inherent in the project management of team-based interactive media development. The three main modules of Selfassessment, Team monitoring, and Reporting and reflection are tied closely to the planning, monitoring and evaluation inherent in metacognitive processing. This paper describes the product in the light of this underpinning theory.

The Learning Community Development Model: A Lens For Exploring Community Development In Online Learning, Christopher Brook, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper presents an exploration of the community experience in online settings where the development of a learning community was a key instructional aim. The inquiry used the Learning Community Development Model (Brook & Oliver, 2003) to guide the exploration of the community experience in online settings The paper reports the findings of a multi-case study that sought to investigate instructor actions that support community development in online settings.

Using Technology Supported Inquiry Learning To Engage First Year Students In Large Classes, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper describes a study that explored the promotion of learner engagement among first year students through a technology facilitated inquiry learning approach. Students were given a series of authentic inquiry tasks supported by a raft of learning scaffolds. The technology-facilitated system supported timely feedback and support and administrative efficiencies for the tutors and teacher. This paper describes the web based system and reports aspects of an inquiry exploring the factors seen to influence students' levels of engagement and achievement. Recommendations are drawn from the study for further instantiations of the approach with appropriate revisions and changes.

Critiquing The School Community: A Qualitative Study Of Children's Conceptualization Of Their School, Julie Ann Pooley, Lauren Breen, Lisbeth T. Pike, Lynne Cohen, Neil M. Drew

Research outputs pre 2011

Schools are traditionally seen as responsible for the educational outcomes of our children. However, schools also play an important role in the development of aspects such as selfefficacy, participation, competence and self-determination. As schools are often run as societies rather than communities, they offer little opportunity for these attributes (selfefficacy, participation, competence and self-determination) to develop. Forty-six children aged from nine to 12 years were interviewed to ascertain their conceptualizations of the school community. The children define their school in terms of people, places for activities and interaction, a place for safety, cooperation, influence and functionality. The responses closely align …

Optimising School Nurse Involvement In Youth Based Tobacco Control Programs: Presented To The Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation, Child Health Promotion Research Unit, Edith Cowan University

Research outputs pre 2011

A significant proportion of youth smoke regularly, placing them at risk of addiction to cigarette smoking. It is known that adolescence is a critical period for the establishment of adult drug use behaviours. The key focus for this research program is the investigation of interventions addressing adolescent smoking cessation, with a particular emphasis on School Nurse involvement.

The research program aims to provide capacity building benefits at three levels: to secondary school nurses, to two post-graduate students, as well as school health promotion /smoking prevention/cessation practitioners and researchers. Ultimately this project may add previously underused but well trained, highly credible …