Faculty of Education - Theses
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ItemWhy do they/we laugh? A study of theories of humour and the manifestation and interpretation of humour in multicultural classrooms( 2006)This study has been an examination of the everyday occurrence of laughter in the contemporary school classroom where students of many cultural backgrounds can be found. The laughter was taken as an indicator of humour, and the study was an attempt to ascertain the link between humour and culture in the generation of and responses to humour. The episodes of laughter that were the subject of the study were recorded in a post primary school of culturally diverse population. The episodes were written as a series of Critical Incidents with the known cultural aspects of each episode included in the written construction of each Incident. Responses to the Critical Incidents were taken from members of the staff of the school, and the cultural backgrounds of the staff were recorded. The Critical Incidents and the staff responses were analysed and comparative tables were assembled, in order to determine in what way and to what extent culture was a factor in the episodes of laughter that indicated humour in the school setting. Humour and culture were investigated through the study and analysis of writing about them. Written theories of humour were analysed, and a comparative measurement of cultures that had been undertaken by international research was investigated for its relation to humour. The study has proposed that culture affects both the generation of humour and its reception, and that staff understanding of humour generated by students is affected by the cultural knowledge, experience and background of the individual staff member.
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ItemPhenomenal robotics! : so what are students' perceptions about the robotics experience?( 2006)Robotics as a learning experience is becoming very popular in Australian schools and is being offered to students at primary and secondary level. It is considered to be a valuable integrated unit particularly in the areas of science and mathematics but also provides an ideal environment for students to engage and learn via constructionist principles. But what do young students perceive to gain from participating in a robotics experience? This investigation looks at the lived experience of doing robotics through the eyes of a group of students who were of mixed ages but had participated in the robotics' experience when they were in grade six as 12 year olds. The students were interviewed regarding the effect of the robotics experience on their learning during and after the experience ended. Students reflected on the phenomenon and made strong connections with the social value of the program. Their emphasis was not so much on academic skills gained but on the sense of self and its relationship to the group. The robotics experience provided an environment that allowed the students to feel valued and motivated to strive for goals, without realising they were gaining valuable information and skills as well as enjoying themselves.
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ItemThe parent-child mother goose program : a case study of a family-centred early intervention literacy initiative( 2006)Research related to early childhood education and development indicates the importance of the quality of social services provided to children in the early years. The Parent-Child Mother Goose study looks at the effectiveness of an early childhood program as a preventative intervention for children with additional needs through action research. The study was conducted over two cycles during 2005. It uncovers the characteristics of the Mother Goose Program; the role of the professional; and the effects of the intervention on parents and children. The study also introduces some of the most important concepts in early childhood education which include: Parent-Focused Programs, Family-Centred Practice, Inclusive Practice, and Retention in Early Intervention. Last the research examines the gaps in the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program and discusses issues such as: Concept Clarity, Cultural Competence, Access and Participation, Follow ups and Feedback, Fathers in the Early Years and Evaluation in Early Childhood Programs. The research addresses each issue separately and provides future recommendations for early childhood professionals in the context of a small scale study. The research concludes that the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program is an affective preventative intervention for parents and children who are committed to consistent participation.
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ItemMulticultural education: medical practitioners' experiential perspectives( 2006)This is a qualitative study exploring the experiences of medical practitioners in conducting consultations where the patient is from a non-English-speaking background. The purpose of this study is to present an overview of the medical practitioners' experiences in conducting culturally diverse consultations and their perception of their preparedness. This is to develop an understanding of their needs and their suggestions for training to ensure a high quality service is available for all. It was found that the combination of four levels of investigation into this subject was not in available literature. Data was collected from current medical practitioners, undergraduate medical students and their pedagogy team, prescriptive documents of the students' education, plus two affiliated observers. Questionnaires, interviews and document exploration were the data tools. The survey focused on the training of undergraduate students and their perceptions of their professional preparedness. Current practitioners, the undergraduate medical pedagogy team, a medical interpreter service manager, and a hospital unit manager were all interviewed. The prescriptive documents included the university handbook, the appropriate curriculum components and the Medical Council's Guidelines. Analysis of the data revealed a dichotomy between the prescriptions of multi-cultural education and the perceptions of the medical professions' preparedness in the subject. It also revealed that they believed they needed more preparation for multi-cultural consultations and provided suggested solutions. It is concluded that the medical practitioners require ongoing education, pre and post-registration, in cross cultural awareness and sensitivity. This is to ensure the same quality of care is available for the English-speaking background patients and the non-English speaking background patients. It is established that further investigation is required in order to determine the cause of the disparity between the prescribed education and the practitioners' preparedness.
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ItemFrom EAP to university: a case study of Chinese students in Melbourne( 2006)Using qualitative research methods, this thesis examines the experiences of four international students from Mainland China during their transition from language study to tertiary study in Melbourne in 2005. The study explores, through the narratives of students, language teachers and university tutors, the challenges of providing tertiary , level education to students whose cultural and educational background is significantly different to that in Australia. The research is set within the context of the declining government funding to Australian universities and their consequent reliance on full fee paying international students. The student participants in the study attended a private language centre which provides English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses through its English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) programs, followed by enrolment in the business faculty of a large university. The issues that were identified are analysed following a narrative approach. The study found that the students were not receiving a positive educational experience and identified some of the difficulties they had in adapting to the demands of the Australian higher education system. These included the impact of the differences in teaching and learning approaches, level of English language skills, lack of prior education in the discipline, segregation, isolation and lack of support. The significant issues raised by the university tutors' included international students' inadequate language skills, mismatch of expectations, plagiarism, entry requirements, the changing face of the university, and lack of support. � The study concludes with the implications of international students not receiving a positive Australian educational experience and some recommendations for strengthening the Australian higher education system.
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ItemIndian students' perspective on student decision-making and their expectations of their chosen Australian university( 2006)Set in a Victorian research-intensive university, this study investigates the decision making criteria of Australian bound Indian students. It investigates the factors that influence the formation of initial expectations of Indian students of their chosen Australian University. Six distinct areas, namely, course curriculum, teaching staff, student life, classmates, on-campus facilities and support services are explored to find out what the Indian students' expectations of these six areas are and how they came about expecting the same. Previous student experience studies have identified that marketing of education has the potential to shape the expectations of the prospective students' university experience. Furthermore, dissatisfaction resulting from a mismatch between what students expect and what is delivered could result in an increase in the withdrawal of students in the first year. While there has been substantial research in the area of student decision-making in relation to choice of higher education institution and destination of study, little is known about international student expectations of their chosen university. Drawing from key studies in both the higher education sector and the business discipline, this study lifts the curtain on important issues regarding Indian students' decision-making and expectations. Not only are key decision-making criteria and initial expectations identified, but also, important issues like assumptions that students make when deciding upon a university and reasons why students form their initial expectations are also discussed. These findings add to the present body of knowledge on the subject by proposing a conceptual model depicting how students' expectations about higher education change over time. The study also makes a notable contribution by highlighting significant principles that may guide future research, policy and practice in relation to the international student market in Australian higher education.
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ItemYear three, primary school children's perceptions of the world of work( 2006-04)What perceptions do Year Three children aged 8-10 years have about the world of work? This study was initiated because, as a parent and teacher I had noticed that some children are motivated more than others to study in the pursuit of a career. Most of the research on the career development of young children is based on the work of Gottfredson’s developmental model (1981) in North America it has not been established previously whether this model applies to Australian children. The findings of this study confirm Gottfredson’s theory about children’s capacity to make tentative career choices. Parents, teachers and the media all influence children’s career aspirations in varying degrees. Although parents play a role in assisting their children to gain knowledge about occupational preferences children do not necessarily follow their parents in the same occupational interests. Parents are a good source of career education for their offspring. While children have some idea about the hierarchical nature of occupational work, they are still unclear as to specific aspects of the supervisory role. As with adults generally, children appear to have limited knowledge about the specific tasks related to particular occupations. It appears from this study that the most common way children access occupational information is through the media. The implications from this investigative study are that children will benefit from greater access to career education, commencing as early as primary school. In order to make realistic future occupational selections children win benefit from having more specific information regarding occupational tasks. It therefore follows that teachers need to be made aware or these implications and plan relevant curricula to address the specific needs or students. It is also evident that parents could assist this process by making themselves available to clearly discuss their work roles with their children.