title: The Long Term Implication of RTLB Support: 'Listening to the Voices of Student Experiences'

authors: Pillay, Poobie

subjects: RTLB

abstract: This research inquiry is based on the narratives of six secondary school male students who tell of their experiences of having learning and/or behaviour difficulties in school.The research explores the perspectives of these six participants, from one New Zealand Secondary School, who received support from a Resource Teacher Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) from a single RTLB cluster. The RTLB service is a school based resource that provides itinerant specialist support to schools and work with regular class teachers to improve the educational outcomes for students with moderate learning and/or behavioural difficulties (Ministry of Education, 1999; Walker et al, 1999).

This study aims to capture the voices of the participants through narratives and to tell
of their experiences with RTLB, their school and what makes sense in their lives. The purpose of this research is to induce reflection, themes or possibly questions for further discussion or research. There were four questions that drove this research inquiry:

1. What were the experiences of the participants who received support
from the RTLB while they were at primary, intermediate or secondary
school?
2. What were their current experiences of school life?
3. What is it about boys and school- especially those with learning and
behaviour difficulties?
4. Were there any new insights available to support/extend the work of the
RTLB in this cluster?

A narrative approach was chosen as the methodology because it allowed the stories of
the students to be told in their own voices. The principles of a narrative guided the construction, presentation and application of the interviews. The interviews were informally conducted and the transcription formed the narratives in this inquiry.

The themes from the narratives generated discussion about the family as an important
factor in raising positive, well balanced children. The similarities between the Caucasian participants and the Māori participants of the Te Kotahitanga project also featured. The themes also cover the impact of immigration on the South African participants and show the differences between the two school systems and how they
affect students new to New Zealand. The impact of RTLB support was greatest on those who remembered quite clearly the RTLB and the support they received.

The research presented a positive outlook for the participants despite their difficulties
and experiences of school. Their resilience and the combination of support they received at school and home were important contributors to this optimism. The analysis of the narratives provided the RTLB in this cluster with some implications to support or extend their work. The implications included the development of proactive
connections and meaningful relationships with the student. This was possible by getting to know them better and by making them aware of the purpose of RTLB involvement. The students could also be included in the problem solving and
intervention processes. Two recommendations from this research are that future research could investigate a system to monitor progress of students who received RTLB support and a process to place immigrant children correctly in the New Zealand school system.

text: The Long Term Implication of RTLB Support: 'Listening to the Voices of Student Experiences' This research inquiry is based on the narratives of six secondary school male students who tell of their experiences of having learning and/or behaviour difficulties in school.The research explores the perspectives of these six participants, from one New Zealand Secondary School, who received support from a Resource Teacher Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) from a single RTLB cluster. The RTLB service is a school based resource that provides itinerant specialist support to schools and work with regular class teachers to improve the educational outcomes for students with moderate learning and/or behavioural difficulties (Ministry of Education, 1999; Walker et al, 1999).

This study aims to capture the voices of the participants through narratives and to tell
of their experiences with RTLB, their school and what makes sense in their lives. The purpose of this research is to induce reflection, themes or possibly questions for further discussion or research. There were four questions that drove this research inquiry:

1. What were the experiences of the participants who received support
from the RTLB while they were at primary, intermediate or secondary
school?
2. What were their current experiences of school life?
3. What is it about boys and school- especially those with learning and
behaviour difficulties?
4. Were there any new insights available to support/extend the work of the
RTLB in this cluster?

A narrative approach was chosen as the methodology because it allowed the stories of
the students to be told in their own voices. The principles of a narrative guided the construction, presentation and application of the interviews. The interviews were informally conducted and the transcription formed the narratives in this inquiry.

The themes from the narratives generated discussion about the family as an important
factor in raising positive, well balanced children. The similarities between the Caucasian participants and the Māori participants of the Te Kotahitanga project also featured. The themes also cover the impact of immigration on the South African participants and show the differences between the two school systems and how they
affect students new to New Zealand. The impact of RTLB support was greatest on those who remembered quite clearly the RTLB and the support they received.

The research presented a positive outlook for the participants despite their difficulties
and experiences of school. Their resilience and the combination of support they received at school and home were important contributors to this optimism. The analysis of the narratives provided the RTLB in this cluster with some implications to support or extend their work. The implications included the development of proactive
connections and meaningful relationships with the student. This was possible by getting to know them better and by making them aware of the purpose of RTLB involvement. The students could also be included in the problem solving and
intervention processes. Two recommendations from this research are that future research could investigate a system to monitor progress of students who received RTLB support and a process to place immigrant children correctly in the New Zealand school system.

year: 2009

title: Scientists talking to students through videos

authors: Chen, Junjun

subjects: classroom research

abstract: The benefits of connecting school students with scientists are well documented. This paper reports how New Zealand teachers brought scientists into the classrooms through the use of videos of New Zealand scientists talking about themselves and their research. Two researchers observed lessons in 9 different classrooms in which 23 educational videos were shown to students from years 2 to 11 (aged 6–17 years). Seven groups of primary students and 4 groups of secondary students participated in interviews after classroom observations. Eight additional secondary teachers participated in 7 focus group discussions; 4 additional primary teachers participated in 1 focus group discussion. Data were analysed thematically using an inductive approach. This analysis uncovered 4 major functions for the use of videos of scientists talking about their work: bringing scientists into the classroom, scientists talking about science with local relevance, scientists explaining concepts using a multitude of modes and scientists as authentic alternative authorities within the classroom. Taken together, the findings demonstrate that the use of video clips of scientists talking about their work can be an effective and efficient way of engaging students in learning about science and scientists.

text: Scientists talking to students through videos The benefits of connecting school students with scientists are well documented. This paper reports how New Zealand teachers brought scientists into the classrooms through the use of videos of New Zealand scientists talking about themselves and their research. Two researchers observed lessons in 9 different classrooms in which 23 educational videos were shown to students from years 2 to 11 (aged 6–17 years). Seven groups of primary students and 4 groups of secondary students participated in interviews after classroom observations. Eight additional secondary teachers participated in 7 focus group discussions; 4 additional primary teachers participated in 1 focus group discussion. Data were analysed thematically using an inductive approach. This analysis uncovered 4 major functions for the use of videos of scientists talking about their work: bringing scientists into the classroom, scientists talking about science with local relevance, scientists explaining concepts using a multitude of modes and scientists as authentic alternative authorities within the classroom. Taken together, the findings demonstrate that the use of video clips of scientists talking about their work can be an effective and efficient way of engaging students in learning about science and scientists.

year: 2013

title: Racism and bullying as correlates for considering ending psychology training in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Tan, Kyle K. H.

abstract: Despite global calls to enhance culturally safe care for Indigenous and minoritised groups, little attention has been given to exploring students’ experiences in psychology training programmes to meet these needs. A series of chi-square tests was performed to examine group differences for participants in the Kia Whakapapa Pounaumu survey (n = 107) in their consideration of ending their training and their decision to seek professional help. Over half (55%) of students reported having considered ending their psychology training. Our findings show that students who have experienced or witnessed forms of injustice such as institutional racism, microaggressions, and bullying, encounter additional barriers in completing their training. If psychology bodies wish to redress the harm caused to Indigenous and minoritised groups in the discipline of psychology, they must ensure the training programmes themselves do not perpetuate harm.

text: Racism and bullying as correlates for considering ending psychology training in Aotearoa New Zealand Despite global calls to enhance culturally safe care for Indigenous and minoritised groups, little attention has been given to exploring students’ experiences in psychology training programmes to meet these needs. A series of chi-square tests was performed to examine group differences for participants in the Kia Whakapapa Pounaumu survey (n = 107) in their consideration of ending their training and their decision to seek professional help. Over half (55%) of students reported having considered ending their psychology training. Our findings show that students who have experienced or witnessed forms of injustice such as institutional racism, microaggressions, and bullying, encounter additional barriers in completing their training. If psychology bodies wish to redress the harm caused to Indigenous and minoritised groups in the discipline of psychology, they must ensure the training programmes themselves do not perpetuate harm.

year: 2025