Sociocultural Teaching Practices and the Nature of Science: Opportunities for Learning about Science in New Zealand Primary Classrooms

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 39-51
Author(s):  
Dayle Anderson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Nature Of Science ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Primary Classrooms ◽  
Opportunities For Learning

scholarly journals Exploring New Zealand year 11 students' understanding of Nature of Science concepts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Blair Daniel Northcott
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Nature Of Science ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
School Students ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Core Part ◽  
Naive Realist

<p>Nature of Science (NOS) is a core part of science education. Extensive effort has gone into establishing educationally appropriate NOS tenets, teaching practices and assessments tools. However, while previous research has identified the importance of prior knowledge in science education, there is limited research that investigates students’ prior knowledge and beliefs about NOS. This information is critical in identifying what teachers need to target in order develop informed NOS beliefs amongst students. In this study the NOS beliefs of year 11 secondary school students in New Zealand were explored using a mixed methods approach. Factor analysis of the students’ (N=502) NOS questionnaire responses revealed that students’ conceptions of NOS differed from the constructs identified in the NOS literature. Coding of the purposively selected sample of student interviews (n=22) revealed a naïve realist model of science was common. This model along with the alternative constructs provided insights into students’ NOS conceptions. The findings were used to develop a model that could help teachers’ better identify explicit and implicit teaching practices to help students develop more appropriate NOS models.</p>

scholarly journals Exploring New Zealand year 11 students' understanding of Nature of Science concepts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Blair Daniel Northcott
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Nature Of Science ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
School Students ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Core Part ◽  
Naive Realist

<p>Nature of Science (NOS) is a core part of science education. Extensive effort has gone into establishing educationally appropriate NOS tenets, teaching practices and assessments tools. However, while previous research has identified the importance of prior knowledge in science education, there is limited research that investigates students’ prior knowledge and beliefs about NOS. This information is critical in identifying what teachers need to target in order develop informed NOS beliefs amongst students. In this study the NOS beliefs of year 11 secondary school students in New Zealand were explored using a mixed methods approach. Factor analysis of the students’ (N=502) NOS questionnaire responses revealed that students’ conceptions of NOS differed from the constructs identified in the NOS literature. Coding of the purposively selected sample of student interviews (n=22) revealed a naïve realist model of science was common. This model along with the alternative constructs provided insights into students’ NOS conceptions. The findings were used to develop a model that could help teachers’ better identify explicit and implicit teaching practices to help students develop more appropriate NOS models.</p>

scholarly journals How Does Professional Development Impact on  Teachers' Use of an Interactive Whiteboard  in New Zealand Primary Classrooms?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Robyn Grover
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Interactive Whiteboard ◽  
Teacher Pedagogy ◽  
Effective Professional Development ◽  
Primary Classrooms ◽  
Multi Media ◽  
The Impact

<p>My research examined how professional development impacts on teachers' use of an interactive whiteboard in New Zealand primary classrooms. The research, in the form of a survey and qualitative case study, specifically looked at the professional development experienced by teachers with an IWB and contextual factors that enhance and constrain the introduction of an IWB for teachers learning to use it in their class programme. It also explored how an IWB is used in the classroom programme. Sociocultural theory provided the theoretical framework to analyse the data. The findings of the research showed that professional development featured as both an enhancing and constraining factor. This was determined by the content of the activity. Sustained professional development appeared to have the most impact on teachers' IWB use. The data examined how and why teachers like to use an IWB, and the impact of the unique and multi-media features of the IWB had on teacher pedagogy and students. Recommendations are made for effective professional development for IWB users and areas for further research are discussed.</p>

scholarly journals Teaching and the Phonics Debate: What Can We Learn?

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Thompson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Teaching Reading ◽  
Teaching Culture ◽  
The Status ◽  
Teaching Cultures

There is debate about whether New Zealand practices for teaching reading should include “more phonics”. With the focus on the first two years of school instruction, the status quo of receptive phonics and the teaching culture in which it is embedded are described and compared with the productive phonics practices of other teaching cultures. The response of New Zealand children to this practice is relatively faster reading procedures. However, there is much that remains to be learnt to sharpen New Zealand receptive phonics teaching practices to meet the successive developmental purposes of phonics; and also to reduce repetitive teaching rituals, as in practices to prompt for meaning.

scholarly journals Reviewing the benefits and challenges of overseas practice: Reflections upon coming home

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-88
Author(s):  
Liz Beddoe ◽  
Allen Bartley
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
The Social ◽  
Opportunities For Learning ◽  
Workplace Cultures ◽  
Benefits And Costs

INTRODUCTION: Given the diversity of practice and understanding of social work across the globe and its distinctive shape in specific national settings, practitioners working in a new country encounter different community, professional and workplace cultures which may pose challenges. This current study contributes to a larger programme of work undertaken to address the transnational nature of the social work profession in Aotearoa New Zealand and elsewhere. METHOD: The study aim was to explore the experiences of Aotearoa New Zealand qualified social workers who have practised in another country and have returned home. Participants in an online survey were recruited via an invitation to all members of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers. The questionnaire was designed to obtain broad data about the experiences of social workers in their overseas employment and perceptions on their return home. FINDINGS: Many participants had layers of transnational experience having practised as social workers in multiple countries. Participants reported overall satisfaction with overseas experiences which had provided professional opportunities for learning and development, and better pay and conditions. Coming home presented new challenges and interesting perceptions of social work in Aotearoa. IMPLICATIONS: Adjustment to new practice locations and, as shown in this small exploratory study, returning “home” can be disruptive to professional perspectives. While overseas practice is enriching, it carries with it both relocation benefits and costs, confirming earlier research. Better employer recognition of the challenges of returning social workers, and the enhanced skills they bring home may offset any dislocation experienced. 

Blended and Mobile Learning

2011 ◽  
pp. 99-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Tappenden
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Mobile Learning ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Student Expectations ◽  
Law Schools ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
The Core ◽  
Law Faculty ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Major Factors

In New Zealand, law schools are constrained as to what they can do to incorporate blended or mobile learning into the core programme. There are two major factors to take into consideration when designing any course: a conservative profession, and the cultural needs of Maori students. This chapter will focus on the author’s personal experiences of the practical applications of blended and mobile learning within the Law Faculty and will discuss student expectations of technologically aided teaching practices.

scholarly journals How Does Professional Development Impact on  Teachers' Use of an Interactive Whiteboard  in New Zealand Primary Classrooms?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Robyn Grover
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Interactive Whiteboard ◽  
Teacher Pedagogy ◽  
Effective Professional Development ◽  
Primary Classrooms ◽  
Multi Media ◽  
The Impact

<p>My research examined how professional development impacts on teachers' use of an interactive whiteboard in New Zealand primary classrooms. The research, in the form of a survey and qualitative case study, specifically looked at the professional development experienced by teachers with an IWB and contextual factors that enhance and constrain the introduction of an IWB for teachers learning to use it in their class programme. It also explored how an IWB is used in the classroom programme. Sociocultural theory provided the theoretical framework to analyse the data. The findings of the research showed that professional development featured as both an enhancing and constraining factor. This was determined by the content of the activity. Sustained professional development appeared to have the most impact on teachers' IWB use. The data examined how and why teachers like to use an IWB, and the impact of the unique and multi-media features of the IWB had on teacher pedagogy and students. Recommendations are made for effective professional development for IWB users and areas for further research are discussed.</p>

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document