title: eLearning lecturer workload: Working smarter or working harder?

authors: Bright, Stephen

subjects: lecturer workload

abstract: Lecturers who move into the online learning environment often discover that the workload involved not only changes, but can be overwhelming as they cope with using digital technologies. Questions arise, given the dissatisfaction of lecturers with lowering morale and increasing workload, whether future expansion of this teaching component in tertiary institutions is sustainable. The challenge facing lecturers now, and in the future, is about learning workload management strategies which effectively manage the workload they encounter in the online learning environment. This paper describes a case study (which is a work-in-progress) examining the perceptions of online workload cf. face-to-face teaching of lecturers who are experienced in e-teaching. As well, it identifies strategies the lecturers have developed or adopted to manage this element of their workload.

text: eLearning lecturer workload: Working smarter or working harder? Lecturers who move into the online learning environment often discover that the workload involved not only changes, but can be overwhelming as they cope with using digital technologies. Questions arise, given the dissatisfaction of lecturers with lowering morale and increasing workload, whether future expansion of this teaching component in tertiary institutions is sustainable. The challenge facing lecturers now, and in the future, is about learning workload management strategies which effectively manage the workload they encounter in the online learning environment. This paper describes a case study (which is a work-in-progress) examining the perceptions of online workload cf. face-to-face teaching of lecturers who are experienced in e-teaching. As well, it identifies strategies the lecturers have developed or adopted to manage this element of their workload.

year: 2012

title: An exploration of the use of coaching and
mentoring as a professional development
process for primary school emerging leaders:
Using science as a context

authors: Barnett, Jane Sandra

subjects: Coaching

abstract: This study looks at the impact of coaching and mentoring skills, provided through a professional development programme, on developing emerging middle leadership in primary school teachers, where the focus is on science teaching. Emerging leaders play a very important role in supporting and developing other teachers' pedagogy in the implementation of the curriculum and new initiatives into the classroom. The literature illustrates that the skills for coaching and mentoring form a key part of a leader's role, in particular that of an emerging leader where teachers are coaching teachers. These skills can assist in the formation of professional learning communities with a strong focus on the teachers' practice and the enhancement of student learning outcomes. 
The study involves four teachers (emerging leaders) from four large primary schools. It uses a qualitative approach, with an action research methodology. The tools used for data gathering are a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews and written journal reflections at the workshops. The data is thematically analysed.
The findings emphasize the value of coaching and mentoring skills in the professional learning of emerging leaders and the teachers that they are working with. Two overarching changes in the emerging leaders' practice arose. Firstly changes in the leadership understandings of the emerging leaders and secondly in the growth of their leadership practice as they developed small professional learning communities. The importance of trust and relationships as part of the community was highlighted. The data also identified a change in the depth and the development of talk about the teachers' science pedagogy. A crucial realization for the participants was the difference between professional and social conversations when it came to taking a leadership role. 
The implications of this research include the importance of providing emerging middle leaders in primary schools with the opportunities to explore the bigger picture of leadership. Senior school leaders would be advised to provide professional development opportunities to help emerging leaders develop in their understanding and practice of the skills and knowledge base involved in the leadership process. This study has illustrated that a coaching and mentoring approach to fostering professional learning can be effective in the growth of leadership skills.

text: An exploration of the use of coaching and
mentoring as a professional development
process for primary school emerging leaders:
Using science as a context This study looks at the impact of coaching and mentoring skills, provided through a professional development programme, on developing emerging middle leadership in primary school teachers, where the focus is on science teaching. Emerging leaders play a very important role in supporting and developing other teachers' pedagogy in the implementation of the curriculum and new initiatives into the classroom. The literature illustrates that the skills for coaching and mentoring form a key part of a leader's role, in particular that of an emerging leader where teachers are coaching teachers. These skills can assist in the formation of professional learning communities with a strong focus on the teachers' practice and the enhancement of student learning outcomes. 
The study involves four teachers (emerging leaders) from four large primary schools. It uses a qualitative approach, with an action research methodology. The tools used for data gathering are a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews and written journal reflections at the workshops. The data is thematically analysed.
The findings emphasize the value of coaching and mentoring skills in the professional learning of emerging leaders and the teachers that they are working with. Two overarching changes in the emerging leaders' practice arose. Firstly changes in the leadership understandings of the emerging leaders and secondly in the growth of their leadership practice as they developed small professional learning communities. The importance of trust and relationships as part of the community was highlighted. The data also identified a change in the depth and the development of talk about the teachers' science pedagogy. A crucial realization for the participants was the difference between professional and social conversations when it came to taking a leadership role. 
The implications of this research include the importance of providing emerging middle leaders in primary schools with the opportunities to explore the bigger picture of leadership. Senior school leaders would be advised to provide professional development opportunities to help emerging leaders develop in their understanding and practice of the skills and knowledge base involved in the leadership process. This study has illustrated that a coaching and mentoring approach to fostering professional learning can be effective in the growth of leadership skills.

year: 2009

title: Understanding the Happiness of Māori and the Role of Consumption: Experiences of the Millennial Generation

authors: de Thierry, Ebony

subjects: Māori Well-Being

abstract: Happiness is commonly perceived as the ideal state of being for  all of human kind. Although a universal definition of the term remains elusive, happiness is a goal that everybody wants to achieve. In understanding the different aspects that shape happiness, the literature has shown that this can vary depending on the cultural context. As such, this study investigates the essence of happiness as it is experienced by Māori. In understanding the experiences of the Millennial generation, the role that consumption plays is also explored. This group of young adults have been raised in an era when consumerism and cultural revitalisation are the norm.  

This investigation was guided by hermeneutic phenomenology using a kaupapa Māori research perspective. Through this, thirteen young Māori individuals were interviewed to gain their experiences of happiness. Photo elicitation techniques were utilised as a means to facilitate these interviews. Stories of the participants’ experiences of happiness were crafted and then analysed to explore the role of consumption.

Findings show that the happiness of Māori is shaped by the five themes of; sense of belonging, whānau and relationships, spirituality, achievement and success, and sense of freedom. These themes interrelate as they are underpinned by the collective values of Māori. In particular, the aspects of spirituality and sense of belonging appear to be specific to the Māori realm. These are based on customs, values and beliefs that are inherited from our ancestors yet are still prevalent today. In terms of consumption, happiness can be positively linked to experiential consumption. In this case, it can play three different roles on the happiness of Māori through either; a direct connection, an indirect connection, or a negative connection. For Māori, consumption is more likely to have an indirect connection. This implies that it is able to facilitate, maintain and enhance happiness, but is not essential to creating these feelings. This investigation contributes to the literature in four ways. First, this study serves as a starting point to developing a comprehensive framework of happiness that is specific to the culture, views and values of Māori. This will assist Māori through ensuring that they are accurately represented in policies, frameworks and statistics. Second, it proposes five guidelines for Māori which suggest how they can maximise happiness through consumption. Third, this study provides a more up-to-date understanding of the happiness of Māori at the individual level whilst incorporating the impact of collective values. Marketers, researchers and practitioners can utilise this information in an attempt to aid in improving the happiness of Māori society. Finally, it shows that consumption can continue to be positively related to happiness once basic needs have been met. The positive role that consumption can play on happiness is identified, showing that marketers and consumers can work together to achieve happiness.

text: Understanding the Happiness of Māori and the Role of Consumption: Experiences of the Millennial Generation Happiness is commonly perceived as the ideal state of being for  all of human kind. Although a universal definition of the term remains elusive, happiness is a goal that everybody wants to achieve. In understanding the different aspects that shape happiness, the literature has shown that this can vary depending on the cultural context. As such, this study investigates the essence of happiness as it is experienced by Māori. In understanding the experiences of the Millennial generation, the role that consumption plays is also explored. This group of young adults have been raised in an era when consumerism and cultural revitalisation are the norm.  

This investigation was guided by hermeneutic phenomenology using a kaupapa Māori research perspective. Through this, thirteen young Māori individuals were interviewed to gain their experiences of happiness. Photo elicitation techniques were utilised as a means to facilitate these interviews. Stories of the participants’ experiences of happiness were crafted and then analysed to explore the role of consumption.

Findings show that the happiness of Māori is shaped by the five themes of; sense of belonging, whānau and relationships, spirituality, achievement and success, and sense of freedom. These themes interrelate as they are underpinned by the collective values of Māori. In particular, the aspects of spirituality and sense of belonging appear to be specific to the Māori realm. These are based on customs, values and beliefs that are inherited from our ancestors yet are still prevalent today. In terms of consumption, happiness can be positively linked to experiential consumption. In this case, it can play three different roles on the happiness of Māori through either; a direct connection, an indirect connection, or a negative connection. For Māori, consumption is more likely to have an indirect connection. This implies that it is able to facilitate, maintain and enhance happiness, but is not essential to creating these feelings. This investigation contributes to the literature in four ways. First, this study serves as a starting point to developing a comprehensive framework of happiness that is specific to the culture, views and values of Māori. This will assist Māori through ensuring that they are accurately represented in policies, frameworks and statistics. Second, it proposes five guidelines for Māori which suggest how they can maximise happiness through consumption. Third, this study provides a more up-to-date understanding of the happiness of Māori at the individual level whilst incorporating the impact of collective values. Marketers, researchers and practitioners can utilise this information in an attempt to aid in improving the happiness of Māori society. Finally, it shows that consumption can continue to be positively related to happiness once basic needs have been met. The positive role that consumption can play on happiness is identified, showing that marketers and consumers can work together to achieve happiness.

year: 2012