Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Abstract: RESEARCH QUESTIONS: \n \n1: What teaching practices and strategies do Pacific boys best respond to? \n \n2: What factors within the classroom hinder or enhance good teaching and learning practices? \n \n3: How can schools best facilitate more effective teaching practices? \n \nThis study explored the most effective methods of supporting Pacific boys in their secondary education and investigated what teaching practices lead to success. The research specifically sought to identify what causes achievement in the classroom, as opposed to why Pacific boys might be failing in comparison to other groups. \n \n \nA qualitative methodology was employed for this research, focusing on one New Zealand secondary school. The primary sources of data were a student questionnaire and focus group interview, and interviews with three highly successful teachers of Pacific boys. This methodology was appropriate for this research, as while there is much research around the education experiences of Maori and Pacific students there is limited data available specifically around Pacific boys as a group. \n \n \nThe major findings from this study indicate that there are a number of pedagogical practices that successful teachers of Pacific boys use that have led to high achievement. Although these teaching practices are not exclusive to the teaching of Pacific boys, they do form an important part of educational strategy that has led to an improvement in learning outcomes of Pacific boys. The main themes established in these findings were focused on the following practices: creating a positive learning environment; establishing explicit learning intentions; thorough planning and feedback; setting high expectations; regular contact with home; and teaching with a positive attitude. \n \nThe findings imply that these practices, the establishment of good classroom relationships with students and recognition of cultural diversity, could lead to levels of achievement for Pacific boys that match that of any other ethnic group.
Author: Brian Francis Evans
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2103506019