Faculty of Education - Theses
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ItemThe use of online technologies to enhance student learning and foster engagement in drama education( 2014)This thesis explores the use of various online technologies in drama education. It asks in what ways can a teacher utilise emerging technologies to enhance learning and foster engagement in drama in a secondary school context. This was a single case study undertaken in a naturalistic environment where descriptive data was obtained and analysed using an inductive approach. Students used online technologies alongside more conventional classroom practice in a Year 10 drama course, such as writing blog posts in between lessons to replace the traditional drama journal. Wikis were used to co-construct meaning on common student goals, while the teacher employed audio podcasts instead of delivering theory lectures, writing classroom notes or distributing handouts. The students also used a Web forum as a repository for research information and a place for teamwork. This blended learning approach: a mixture of face-to-face instruction accompanied by out-of-class online communication, resulted in a student-centred, constructivist environment that exposed the different learning styles of the students. During the course of this study, due to the use of online technologies many students experienced increased engagement in their learning, enhanced cooperation with others, a sense of collegiality with classmates, and improved learning outcomes.
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ItemThe impact of a technology policy on a school community: post initial evaluation( 2002)An information and communication technology (lCT) policy is being expected of all educational institutions and the objectives relate to principals, staff and students, in their use, access, skill development, leadership and innovation in the area of learning technologies. A number of schools have introduced and implemented such policies since the late eighties and early nineties. ICT has become an integral part of everyday life and school educational institutions have recognized this phenomenon as one that should be embraced. Since the early nineties, programs utilizing laptop computers or notebook computers have been incorporated into a number of government and independent schools. The focus of this study was to examine how an information and communication technology policy was related to school change. This was a case study of policy development and how such a policy involving notebook computers impacted on school structures, teaching and learning, in a Melbourne independent school. The researcher's main interest was to gain an understanding of the processes involved and the changes encountered. A questionnaire that contained open-ended questions was used in the study to gain an overall view from teachers at the Year 7 - 9 levels. The rest of study used primarily qualitative methods where interviewing administrators and teachers were the other sources of data. These were analyzed using coding methods and memo notes after which themes were identified. The findings were compared to those that already exist which are from studies based primarily at upper primary and lower secondary levels. As well as gaining a personal understanding of the processes involved it is hoped the findings may also be of benefit to the school's future decisions and policies in general and particularly in the area of ICT involving notebook computers.
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ItemThe transmission of the charism of Marcellin Champagnat by principals in Marist schools( 2000)Members of religious orders in Australia face generally declining numbers and aging membership. Some, both within the orders and among their lay partners, have recognised the desirability of transmitting the charisms beyond the members of the order, if those charisms are to continue to inform the vision and culture of the enterprise. The Marist Brothers are no exception. Education is their main focus and the schools that they have established have been recognised as having a particular 'flavour' to them. The Marist way of educating has identifiable characteristics, inspired by the charism of the founder, Marcellin Champagnat. The success of the Marist style of education can be seen in the strong support for the schools. There is a clear desire among many, both religious and lay, to nurture and carry on conducting schools in the Marist way. As more lay people assume responsibility for these schools, it has been acknowledged that attention needs to be formally given to the ways in which the charism can continue to be transmitted. This study has examined the ways in which selected principals in Marist schools have influenced the transmission of the charism within their schools. Through the use of the case study methodology, it has documented actions that have been identified as conducive to passing on the charism to the school community. It has observed that certain characteristics of leadership style are more likely to positively influence the transmission of charism. The study has also identified some factors that may work against such a cause. As a result of the study, certain recommendations have been made which may assist in the process of ensuring that the charism of Marcellin Champagnat continues to flourish in those schools founded in his name.