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Full-Text Articles in Education

Drama Praxis : Rural Arts Workers And Lifelong Learning : A Phenomenological Study, Susan E. Gibson Jan 2000

Drama Praxis : Rural Arts Workers And Lifelong Learning : A Phenomenological Study, Susan E. Gibson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of a specific group of arts workers in an isolated rural community in the South West of Western Australia. These participants have all worked in the community as arts workers for an extended period of time. Through phenomenological research, the telling of these workers stories, it is anticipated that the research will highlight, strengthen and enrich the political and economic positions of these workers. The study is based on the assumptions and pre-conceptions that geographical and cultural isolation contributes to significant problems and situations such as communication that …


Assessing Moral Reasoning Development Through Values Education Within A Western Australian Independent School, Kelvin Fairclough Jan 2000

Assessing Moral Reasoning Development Through Values Education Within A Western Australian Independent School, Kelvin Fairclough

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The relationship between Values Education and corresponding moral reasoning development has been explored within a group of forty-six year eight students (twelve and thirteen years old). Participants were tested with a Sociomoral Reflection Objective Measure instrument to index their moral reasoning stage development (reported as a Moral Maturity Score). Randomly dividing the group into two equal proportions they were assigned to an Experimental or Control group. The Experimental group was presented with Values Education through exposure to age relevant moral dilemmas which envelope a societal value drawn from the Core Shared Values (Curriculum Council of Western Australia, 1998). Within each …


Thoughts And Feelings Of A Beginning Tertiary Group Of Adult Learners In A Human Resource Development Course, Bryan W. Smith Jan 2000

Thoughts And Feelings Of A Beginning Tertiary Group Of Adult Learners In A Human Resource Development Course, Bryan W. Smith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This is a study of a case of adults entering tertiary study for the first time, and their mental life concerning their own self-performance, constructed across four instances. The purposes of the study were to identify some characteristics of the four participants’ covert behaviour during their learning in a course on Human Resource Development (1-IRD), to gain some insight into the conception of self-performance held by the participants and the attributions of this self-performance, to examine the approaches to learning held by each participant, and to contribute to closing the gap between adult education and educational psychology. Three consecutive three-hour …


The General Board Of Education In Western Australia 1847-1871: Its Establishment And Performance, Derek Jowle Jan 2000

The General Board Of Education In Western Australia 1847-1871: Its Establishment And Performance, Derek Jowle

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis is a history of the politics of education in nineteenth century Western Australia with a particular focus on educational administration. It traces the activities of the educational pioneers in Western Australia and in particular synthesises research material from a wide variety of sources to demonstrate and explain: •How and why these pioneers established an education system in Western Australia; •The difficulties faced by the pioneers and how they overcame those difficulties; •Why the General Board of Education ("the Board"), which was formed by the early pioneers, was established in 1847; •How and why the Board was terminated in …


What Does A Child's Story Tell You?, Tamara Anne Bromley Jan 2000

What Does A Child's Story Tell You?, Tamara Anne Bromley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The stories that students tell in the classroom have the potential to be an invaluable resource for teachers. Through a focus on the language used, these stories can provide teachers with information about their students' sociocultural backgrounds and therefore, the knowledge that students bring to the context of the classroom. In today's diverse classrooms, teachers need to discover this information about their students to enhance the planning process for students' learning. The stories that students tell provide teachers with one avenue by which they can begin to meet the requirements of the Curriculum Framework for Kindergarten to Year 12 Education …


Regular Teachers' Attitudes To The Need For Additional Classroom Support For Integrated Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Rory Mcnally Jan 2000

Regular Teachers' Attitudes To The Need For Additional Classroom Support For Integrated Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Rory Mcnally

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study was to examine regular classroom teachers' attitudes to additional classroom support, both physical and personnel, for students with mild and severe intellectual disabilities who may be integrated into regular classrooms. The concerns of the regular classroom teachers with regard to the successful inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities are certainly merit addressing. As the regular classroom teachers are largely responsible for the education of these integrated students, it is worthwhile to examine their perceived support levels in relation to integrated students with intellectual disabilities. It is anticipated that the results of this study will prove …


The Framing Of Truancy : A Study Of Non-Attendance Policy As A Form Of Social Exclusion Within Western Australia, Jan Gray Jan 2000

The Framing Of Truancy : A Study Of Non-Attendance Policy As A Form Of Social Exclusion Within Western Australia, Jan Gray

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Truancy is a product of socially constructed knowledge. The final product of this knowledge provides insight into the defining features of current societal beliefs, values and fears, becoming a powerful framing influence for definitions of acceptable patterns of school attendance and behaviour. In this sense, the perceived incidence of truancy within a community has far more impact on the creation and enactment of public policy associated with young people who do not regularly attend school than the incidence itself. This does not deny the incidence of truancy, nor the empirical data indicating correlates of truancy, illiteracy, crime, poverty and unemployment. …


Aboriginal Students Perceptions Of The Effect Of Vocational Education And Training On Post School Experiences, Steven J. Florisson Jan 2000

Aboriginal Students Perceptions Of The Effect Of Vocational Education And Training On Post School Experiences, Steven J. Florisson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Over the past decade there have been dramatic and unprecedented changes in post compulsory education, with an increase of over 40% for year 12 retention rates to 76.6% in 1992 and huge expansion of year 11 and 12 vocational education and training programs. However, for Aboriginal past compulsory age students, the picture is very different. In 1993 the year 12 Aboriginal retention rate was only 24.48% or 982 students (Australia wide), and by 1996 only 10% of the indigenous 15 and older population had any post school qualification, compared to 35% of the total population. Only 34% of West Australian …


The Effects Of The Provision Of An Interactive Teaching Program And Word Processors On The Writing Of Year 9 Students With Learning Disabilities, Cecily Cropley Jan 2000

The Effects Of The Provision Of An Interactive Teaching Program And Word Processors On The Writing Of Year 9 Students With Learning Disabilities, Cecily Cropley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Three male year nine students with learning disabilities were given an intervention program that involved use of a word processor to write science fiction stories. The program was conducted over a five-week period. The effects of the use of the word processor alone were compared to the effects of the provision of an interactive teaching course program in conjunction with a word processor. The treatment program was a single subject treatment design. One participant's writing improved to an equal extent whether or not an interactive teaching program was provided. A second participant's fluency, spelling and the number of unique words …


Conceptions Of Learning Identified By Indigenous Students Entering A University Preparation Course, Alison M. Bunker Jan 2000

Conceptions Of Learning Identified By Indigenous Students Entering A University Preparation Course, Alison M. Bunker

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The increase in Indigenous participation in university courses in recent years has not been matched by an increase in graduation. In the mainstream university population, student success has been linked to approaches to learning, which are linked to conceptions of learning. This study investigates what conceptions of learning Indigenous students identify at the beginning of their university career. Thirty six students completed a 'Reflections on Learning Inventory' developed by Meyer (1995). Nine of these students were interviewed in depth about what they thought learning was and how they would go about it. The interview analysis for each of the nine …


The Professional Development Of Beginning Teachers Of Primary Mathematics, Robert Leonard Sparrow Jan 2000

The Professional Development Of Beginning Teachers Of Primary Mathematics, Robert Leonard Sparrow

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Recent documents have recommended a style of teaching for primary classrooms that favours a constructivist viewpoint of learning. The actuality of mathematics classrooms is different from this vision. Newly trained teachers while exposed to, and expounding, a constructivist philosophy are, in many cases, implementing a more traditional, teacher-centred approach to classroom practice. The purpose of this study was twofold: to investigate factors which influence the pedagogical practices and beliefs of beginning teachers of mathematics in primary classrooms and secondly to evaluate a professional development support model for beginning primary mathematics teachers. A model for professional development and support of beginning …


When Teachers Are Victims : A Study Of Support In Western Australian Government Schools For Teachers Who Have Been Assaulted By Students, Rebecca Evans Jan 2000

When Teachers Are Victims : A Study Of Support In Western Australian Government Schools For Teachers Who Have Been Assaulted By Students, Rebecca Evans

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The aims of this study were to determine the personal effects of student assault upon a teacher and what assaulted teachers feel that they need in the way of support. In particular, I wanted the study to focus on the personal aspects of the cases as I was convinced that assaulted teachers experience similar anxieties, fears and barriers to support and similar difficulties in having those feelings recognised. Many clinical studies of assault victim support have been conducted, however, seemingly none of them are specifically related to assault by a student upon a teacher. This specific type of assault involves …


What Counts As Accountability? : Towards An Accountability Framework For The Pre-Primary, Lennie Barblett Jan 2000

What Counts As Accountability? : Towards An Accountability Framework For The Pre-Primary, Lennie Barblett

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Accountability in the pre-primary year has become a focus for attention as schools develop corporate school plans. Pre-primary teachers can no longer work in isolation and are required to implement the school development plan in order to account for their portion of the school's work. This study aimed to find out how pre-primary teachers accounted for their educational programs and what factors influenced their accountability notions and practices. The study conducted in Western Australia used an ecological theoretical framework. Data was collected using multi-modal techniques and analysed using an interpretive-constructivist approach. Three case studies, a questionnaire and focus groups of …


Insights Into Drama In The Early Childhood Setting: A Rationale For The Use Of Drama, Lynette Kaye Moss Jan 2000

Insights Into Drama In The Early Childhood Setting: A Rationale For The Use Of Drama, Lynette Kaye Moss

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research is an investigation into the implementation of drama in early childhood education conducted in one Perth metropolitan primary school, over a three-week period. The six drama lessons were taught by the researcher/practitioner in a Pre-primary and a Year One class. These students were chosen for their limited exposure to the Drama in Education experience. The expectation was of a less conditioned response both in their conduct and expression within the drama environment. The lessons were captured on video and transcribed, then analysed utilising an ethnomethodological methodology. The responses of these children were recorded in an attempt to disclose …


Professional And Continuing Education In Hong Kong: An Analysis Of The Characteristics And Job Satisfaction Of Part-Time Teachers Of English Language Courses, Joe Wai-Kin Ching Jan 2000

Professional And Continuing Education In Hong Kong: An Analysis Of The Characteristics And Job Satisfaction Of Part-Time Teachers Of English Language Courses, Joe Wai-Kin Ching

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In order to have a better understanding or the Professional and Continuing Education in Hong Kong, the purpose of this research is to assess the job satisfaction or part-time English language teachers with respect to their work, pay, opportunities for promotion, supervision, and colleagues. The PCE departments in a total of six institutions with diversified characteristics, namely, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong Chinese University, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education were involved in the present study. The first part is a quantitative study adopting a cross-sectional …


Influence Of Home And School Environments On The Academic Performance Of Chinese-Australian And Anglo-Australian Students Studying At An Academically-Oriented High School In Perth, Western Australia, Ranbir Singh Malik Jan 2000

Influence Of Home And School Environments On The Academic Performance Of Chinese-Australian And Anglo-Australian Students Studying At An Academically-Oriented High School In Perth, Western Australia, Ranbir Singh Malik

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Although minority status has been associated with low academic achievement, the “high Asian achieving syndrome" remains as one of the unresolved sociological puzzles. Consistent evidence suggests that regardless of the family status, children from the Asian migrant families, settled in the industrialised countries, tend to perform academically better than their counterparts from the dominant group. This disparity is attributed to a number of factors, which taken separately, do not address this complex issue. In Australia little research has been done to compare the home environment and school experiences of children coming from Chinese-Australian and Anglo-Australian families even though the number …


Developing A Post Compulsory Evidence-Based Alcohol Education Curriculum That Is Relevant To Students And Acceptable To Teachers, Fiona Farringdon Jan 2000

Developing A Post Compulsory Evidence-Based Alcohol Education Curriculum That Is Relevant To Students And Acceptable To Teachers, Fiona Farringdon

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The aim of this study was to develop a post compulsory, alcohol education curriculum that would be perceived as relevant by students and acceptable to teachers. The study had its conceptual basis in harm minimisation that has considerable justification in terms of what school-based alcohol education can realistically achieve. A harm minimisation approach is supported by parental attitudes, teachers, young people and government policy. To ensure the curriculum was developed in the Western Australian education context it has been linked to the Western Australian Curriculum Framework and adheres to the principles that underpin the framework. Furthermore, this study draws on …


Target Language Avoidance By Thai Teachers Of English: Thai Teachers' Beliefs, Sasithorn Vacharaskunee Jan 2000

Target Language Avoidance By Thai Teachers Of English: Thai Teachers' Beliefs, Sasithorn Vacharaskunee

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Interactionist theories of second language acquisition (SLA) claim that both comprehensible input and modified interaction in the target language are necessary for language learning. In the foreign language context, little opportunity exists for such input simply through exposure to the target language outside the classroom. Therefore, the quantity as well as quality of input within classrooms is especially important. However in spite of this fact many non-native teachers of second language, including English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers, tend to avoid using the target language in their classrooms. This has serious pedagogic implications. Thai teachers are typical of many …


The Teaching Portfolio Project: An Evaluative Case Study Of A Portfolio-Based Approach To The Development Of University Teaching, Martijntje M. Kulski Jan 2000

The Teaching Portfolio Project: An Evaluative Case Study Of A Portfolio-Based Approach To The Development Of University Teaching, Martijntje M. Kulski

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study on the use of teaching portfolios arose from a number of converging trends and policy initiatives within the higher education sector that led to demands for the improvement of, and a more reflective scholarly approach to, university teaching. In Australia, and overseas, institutions have responded to these demands by implementing teaching development and evaluation programs for academic staff that arc based on the use of portfolios. A teaching portfolio is essentially a documentary record of selected aspects of a teacher's work across a range of instructional settings. According to some proponents, portfolios can capture the complexity of university …


Phantom Classmates : A Case Study Of Talented Mathematics Students Learning Via Telematics, Leanne S. Clarke Jan 2000

Phantom Classmates : A Case Study Of Talented Mathematics Students Learning Via Telematics, Leanne S. Clarke

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The main advantages and disadvantages of the Telematics environment for talented mathematics students were investigated through a case study. The case study considered the interaction of, and opinions of 11 Year 9 students and the teacher/researcher. Participants were from nine schools in regional Western Australia, and were withdrawn from face-to-face classes to attend mathematics transmissions. Qualitative data were collected through student interviews, an anonymous questionnaire, tape recording of lessons, and teacher field notes. Students all agreed the main disadvantage occurred if timetabling for Telematics transmissions did not align with their local school class times for the same subject. The teacher …


Teachers As Language Learners: A Study Of The Relationship Between Their Beliefs About Language Learning And Their Learning Strategy Use, Rita Tognini Jan 2000

Teachers As Language Learners: A Study Of The Relationship Between Their Beliefs About Language Learning And Their Learning Strategy Use, Rita Tognini

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Abstract not available