Faculty of Education - Theses
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ItemThe development of a model for the management of major strategic investment decisions in universities(University of Melbourne, 2013)Major investments in infrastructure, growth or productivity enhancement are crucial for a university in shaping its strategic direction and addressing the challenges of a changing landscape. Through a case study of Monash University, supplemented with the investigation of views of practitioners in the field, this research thesis has developed a model to optimise the management of major strategic investment decisions in universities. The model starts from the proposition that effective strategic investment decision making has two primary purposes: � Identifying major investments that are worth doing: Determining the infrastructure, activities and other enablers that are required as major investments to shape the future capacity, capability and operation of the university; and � Prioritising the ones that are best to do: Optimising the prioritisation and allocation of constrained resources to maximise the future benefit that can be achieved consistent with this strategic vision. The research reflects the hypothesis that investment decision making at universities under traditional academic leadership models has had a greater emphasis on the first of these objectives. The research suggests that there are opportunities to learn from business case/cost-benefit financial analysis approaches that are more commonly used in business. It proposes a mechanism (need to do/able to do criteria) for prioritising investments, based on which investments provide the most return given the existing or future capacity of the university to delivery them. In developing the model as mechanism for universities to enhance the management of major investments, the research considers and brings together data and analytical based approaches with the human and organisational dimensions of decision making. The major investment management (MIM) model comprises recommendations for university practices in four areas: Strategic Planning and Prioritising: facilitating effective strategic planning as the context for the identifying major investment needs and to provide a mechanism to evaluate and prioritise a portfolio of major investments. Defining Expected Strategic Outcomes: analysing and articulating the specific expected strategic outcomes for major investments by reference to four major drivers: growth and development of markets and products and services; infrastructure development; productivity enhancement; and improving rankings and reputation. Understanding Financial Implications: enabling the management of information and the development of financial analysis for understanding the financial implications of major investments, setting financial expectations and constructing major investment budgets. Adopting a Governance and Management Framework: establishing roles and responsibilities in an organisational structure that are supported by a framework of policies and processes for the governance and management of major investments, and setting up arrangements for accountabilities, project management and review of investment implementation. The study aims to contribute to the understanding of the context and factors at play in strategic investment decision making at Monash University, as an example of a large Australian public university and, by proposing a structured model, to enhance major strategic investment decision making and the management of an investment portfolio in practice. The study seeks both to add to the body of research on university management and strategic decision making and to inform and assist practitioners in the higher education sector.
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ItemThe role computers can play in the English language acquisition and development process : a look at the ESL situation regarding primary school students in Cyprus(University of Melbourne, 2010)It would seem that computers have made their way into endless primary school classrooms throughout the world and therefore are here to stay. In the last decade computers have also been introduced into Cypriot primary schools at a slow but steady pace. What is unclear at the moment is how they will be used in the education of primary school children in a multiethnic setting such as that found in Cypriot primary schools, especially for the advancement of the English language. While there have been many qualitative studies about using computers for improved language acquisition in many parts of the world, this does not hold true for Cyprus. This study is qualitative in nature and takes a look at using computer assisted instruction in the primary ESL classroom in Cyprus. This study looks at what has been said regarding computer assisted teaching in different parts of the world and the benefits associated with this approach. Through video recording, interviewing, questionnaires, pre-tests, post-tests, focus group sessions, the development and implementation of a Miles and Huberman matrix, as well as anecdotal records, my study attempts to answer the questions many have asked: ��Can computer assisted instruction benefit primary school children in the ESL classroom, and if so to what extent?� Apart from finding an appropriate piece of software that could be used for this research project, the specific software was used in three different settings and evaluated accordingly. Pre-test and post-test results have been included. Perhaps the most important part of the thesis is the concluding chapter which not only presents the findings of this study but offers suggestions to different parties. The suggestions outlined in the concluding chapter address the concerns of both students and fellow educators who participated in this research project. It is hoped that this project is embraced by the Ministry of Education in Cyprus, and the suggestions are implemented in the immediate future.
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ItemLiteracy and learning in preschool aged children(University of Melbourne, 2010)
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ItemEvaluation of a parenting intervention aimed at improving preschool children's emotional competence : issues related to the measurement of emotion-focussed parenting skills(University of Melbourne, 2010)Emotional competence is thought to be related to a range of positive outcomes for children including their ability to develop effective social skills and form friendships, achieve well academically and reduce their likelihood of developing externalising or internalising difficulties. The way in which parents respond to their children�s emotions is thought to play a significant role in children�s emotional development. Tuning in to Kids, Emotionally Intelligent Parenting (TIK) is an emotion-focussed parenting intervention designed to teach parents the skills involved in emotion coaching with their children. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the TIK intervention and explore issues related to measuring changes in emotion-focussed parenting over time. The participants in this study were 95 preschool children (46 boys and 49 girls) and their parents who were allocated as either intervention or wait-list control. Assessments of parents� emotion coaching skills and children�s emotion knowledge were carried out prior to the intervention group beginning the parenting program and six months after they completed the program. Parents� emotion coaching was measured via a storytelling observation task and the Parent Emotional Styles Questionnaire. Children�s emotion knowledge was assessed using the Affective Knowledge Test. Results showed that parents who received the TIK intervention improved significantly more than the control group on both observed and self-reported emotion coaching 6 months after completing the program. No significant relationship was found between these two measures of emotion coaching suggesting the two measures captured different aspects of the construct, being parents� use of emotion coaching language compared to their beliefs and attitudes towards emotion coaching. Intervention group children�s emotion knowledge did not improve significantly more than the control group and there was no significant relationship between parents� emotion coaching and children�s emotion knowledge, suggesting elements of emotion coaching were not captured by the parent measures used. Future research on the definition and measurement of emotion coaching may extend the current findings regarding evaluation of emotion-focussed parenting programs.
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ItemProject-based teaching and learning to develop oral English language skills of Thai tertiary level students(University of Melbourne, 2010)
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ItemCase studies in learning area leadership in Catholic secondary schools in Melbourne, Australia( 2010)Learning Area Leaders (LALs) are leaders who have responsibility for the operation of learning areas (subject departments) in their schools. The leadership role of LALs was investigated in three Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools using case study methodology. Interviews were conducted in each school between the Principal, the curriculum coordinator, LALs and teachers. The leadership role of the LALs, particularly as their involvement in improving educational outcomes in their learning area, was explored through interviews and examination of range of documents to produce a rich description of each case. It was clear that the leadership of the LALs was, in each of the three schools, considered essential to the achievement of good student learning outcomes. In one of the three schools where the leadership role of the LALs was enhanced there was significant improvement in VCE results. The findings from each of the cases were then analysed according to a framework describing the leadership roles of LALs which was developed by White (Merriam, 19982002). The findings were consistent with White's framework. Consistent with other literature were issues to do with inadequate preparation for the role (Adey, 2000;. Deece, 2003; Dinham, Brennan, Collier, Deece, & Mulford, 2000; Earley & Fletcher- Campbell, 1989), lack of time to effectively carry out the role (Brown & Rutherford, 1999; Deece, 2003; Dinham, 2007; Earley & Fletcher-Campbell, 1989)and difficulties with staff management and role ambiguity (Adey, 2000; Dinham, 2007; Glover & Miller, 1999b; White, 2002). In considering the work of LALs in relation to context what emerged was the necessity for the Senior Management Team to facilitate LAL leadership by enlisting them as partners in developing strategic approaches to teaching and learning, creating structures which enable the LALs to interact with the staff in the learning areas and removing barriers in the school which might inhibit the LALs from the effective exercise of their leadership.
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ItemDeveloping Thai students' writing skills through genre-based teaching( 2010)This study reports on an investigation using the genre-based approach to teaching writing, and how it affected students' control over key features of the Discussion Genre. The research explored students' attitudes towards learning to write with this approach and conveyed the application of new pedagogy to teaching writing. The study was conducted in a classroom of thirty nine students during eight two-hour weekly sessions. The participants were third-year English major students in a four-year Bachelor of Arts program in a university in Thailand. The research method was an in-depth case study of the effectiveness of the genre-based approach in improving English as a Foreign Language [EFL] students' writing proficiency. Two cycles designed for teaching and learning the Discussion Genre were fashioned closely after the Disadvantaged Schools Project (DSP) model (e.g. Callaghan & Rothery, 1989), as implemented in various Australian schools. Three key research participants' written texts were analyzed by the researcher/ teacher using specific elements of the systemic functional grammar (SFG) framework (e.g. Butt et al., 2003). Self-assessment questionnaires sought students' views about their own learning experiences and writing proficiency. Semi-structured interviews and students' diaries were used to explore the students' experience of learning to write in English, and to explore students' attitudes to writing in English. A teacher's journal provided information about the ways in which students were involved in and responsive to the new teaching approach. The text analysis revealed that, as a result of the intervention, students gained control over key features of the Discussion Genre, and showed positive attitudes towards this approach, although the students' grammatical knowledge had not significantly improved, probably in part because the research was undertaken over a short period of time. Finally, the application of the genre-based approach is a significantly promising approach for teaching English in EFL contexts.
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ItemConstructing nurses' professional identity( 2013)There is limited evidence, and research on nurses’ development of their professional identity within the social context of their daily work environments. The overall aim of this project was to investigate elements that constitute the performance of nurses’ professional identity within a specific work environment. The particular focus was on the interplay of nurses with other nurses, and with other health professionals in the context of their work environment. This ethnographic case study investigated the interactions of nurses within two specific clinical wards/units. The application of the theoretical perspective Social Identity Theory was used to study two specific professional daily activities. These activities of shift handover, and multidisciplinary team meetings were videotaped as part of the data collection. Further qualitative methods of data collection included; participants viewing the videotapes, and then being interviewed (individual or focus group). The findings generated evidence that the social context of the ward environment plays a significant role in the development of nurses’ professional identity. Professional activities such as handover contribute significantly to the formation of nurse professional identity. Handover is a structured formal social process developed, and performed entirely by nurses. This activity is a central mechanism by which nurses enculturate, new nurses, and construct, and sustain their professional identity through interaction with each other. In contrast the activity of the multidisciplinary meeting is a platform for the expression of professional identity through the interaction with other health professionals. The findings have implications for understanding how nurses when they are together create, and self- categorise their identity, and how this is changed expressed, and lived differently in a multidisciplinary group. These findings generate important possibilities for further research, and need testing in other nursing work environments. Implicitly the findings are directly relevant to professional leadership, education, and service development in the nursing profession. Additionally the structure of the research design should enable similar investigation in different contexts.
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ItemIs induction and mentoring up to standards?: A phenomenological study of Victorian graduate entry beginning teachers( 2013)This qualitative study examines a select aspect of teacher professional knowledge. The focus is on the construction of the unique novice-expert relationship commonly referred to as ‘induction and mentoring’. The research aims to contribute to an existing knowledge base about the needs of beginning teachers and their early career experiences. It examines issues of early professionalisation and socialisation, pedagogical knowledge, power and agency, professional identity and the combined impact of these elements on teacher retention. This is a two-phase phenomenological study of the beginning teacher-mentor teacher relationship, conducted over 2007-2009. Phase 1 participants had completed the Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of Melbourne. Phase 2 participants were concurrently enrolled in the final year of their Master of Teaching degree at the University of Melbourne in subjects designed to support beginning teachers in their graduate year. Rich data were yielded from individual interviews with beginning teacher participants (n=18) who were undertaking or had recently completed the statutory process for full registration (16 secondary teachers and 2 early childhood teachers). Fieldwork was carried out in the final school term of 2007 (Phase 1) and 2009 (Phase 2). Transcribed data were horizontalised and searched for the invariant horizons of the phenomenon for analysis. Main themes were identified for discussion. This research is complementary to, and will further support, recent international and Australian research by prominent researchers in the field (Cochran-Smith & Zeichner, 2005; Darling-Hammond, 2012; Devos, 2010; Feiman-Nemser, 2012; Hudson, 2012, Ingersoll, Merrill & May, 2012; Ingersoll & Smith, 2004; Ingersoll & Strong, 2011; Johnson, 2012; Johnson, Berg & Donaldson, 2005; Martinez, 2004; Richardson & Watt, 2006; Wang, Odell & Schwille, 2008). Within an existing international evidence base, the findings contribute to an Australian research focus on models of mentoring for beginning teachers, highlighting that teacher identity, 'turnaround pedagogies' (Kamler & Comber, 2004) and the interrelationship with teacher retention remain central and affirm the enduring issues in respect to the practices of induction and mentoring in the field of education.
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ItemThe positioning of the coach and the transformative agency of teachers: The problem of constituting joint meaning in an “underperforming” secondary mathematics department( 2013)The Victorian State Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) instituted a coaching program (2007-2010) to improve teaching in primary and secondary schools. The DEECD policy platform of school improvement through teacher-trained coaches saw the employment of Teaching and Learning Coaches (henceforth “coach”) employed from 2007 to support mathematics and science instruction. Eleven numeracy coaches were deployed across the western metropolitan region of Melbourne in 2008 and placed in schools that were identified as “underperforming” based on student performance data. This research focuses on two school sites in which a coach worked at each on a weekly rotational basis in an onsite professional development program to improve teaching practice using a sanctioned generic mathematics lesson structure. The coaching program in this study involved the teachers of mathematics, the appointment of school-based coaches from among them, and administrators in the targeted “underperforming” secondary schools, with the intention of changing the prima facie unproductive, culturally specific, mathematics teaching practices in those schools. This thesis examines how mathematics teachers in targeted “underperforming” schools reported how they were influenced, by working with a coach. The research is founded on the theoretical belief that there is nothing else to social life but symbolic exchanges and the joint construction and management of meaning, including the meaning of bits of stuff including things we control and things that we don’t, but are expected to use to “remake” ourselves. To become relevant in the teachers’ life spaces the coaching stuff, including the coach herself, had to be interpreted to play a part in a human narrative. Interpretations require grammars that are historically and culturally local. The thesis presents fine-grained descriptive analyses of the semiotic interactions and the psychological positioning of mathematics teachers in the accounts of their experiences of the coaching program. The recommended practices put by the coach were resisted where they were seen not to serve the teachers’ personal identity formation in the local moral order of their school. The teachers’ social activity with the coach shows they live in a double social order. One component consists of the social arrangements for maintaining their teaching lives in their teaching environment, which was difficult by virtue of the educational disadvantage of the community, they served and their own poor training and professional isolation. This is the practical order and the teachers had their local proper place in that order. The other component consisted of the social arrangements for creating honour and status. This is an expressive order. The material world of privileged strategies, tactics, student test performance data and other elements of the program of improvement brought by the coach can be understood in their full human significance only if their roles in both these orders are identified. As to the teachers’ social motivation around these material things, the accounts of the teachers present a strong case for the priority of the expressive over the practical in their social action. The new lesson structure the coach introduced can become a social object only within the dynamic frame of the teachers’ storylines. It is this most ephemeral and “invisible” product of the teachers’ action that is really real, the narratives that are realized in the social orders in their school. The elaboration of a more comprehensive theory of mentoring / coaching practices based on this approach to constructing a new constitutive order involves a study of the social objects as created in and through constitutive practices. This draws on a distinction between constitutive orders of the rules of maths teaching, which are prospective doings, and sayings constructed around social objects, and institutional orders of maths teaching, which are retrospective and depend on “accounts” and justifications. It is essential that constitutive orders of practice are collaborations. Taking all this into account requires thinking of meaning making as one of communication or interaction, or as Harré argues, taking conversation as real or causal. To make sense of, or claim meaning in, the teachers’ constitutively ordered conversational sequences about their interactions with the coach, in the use of social objects, their self organising practices or language games, is to explore their orientation to a constitutive rule and their exhibition of it to others.