title: What do we mean by social in relation to learning and the role of teachers?

authors: Earl Rinehart, (Suzanne) Kerry

abstract: The word social is often used as a modifying adjective to describe behaviour of a group, collective, community, society or organisation. There are social actions and we have social problems. We also understand that   human beings are social animals. We require   interaction with others, so we seek relationship/association/affiliation/cooperation with others and we gather in communities. According to Wikipedia, the etymology of the word social comes from “the Latin word socii (‘allies  ’) referring to allied states of the Roman Republic”. We might take from this that to be social is to be in a positive relationship with others as individuals or groups. During the   COVID-19 health crisis our   connections are  virtual through social media   . Other terms we are familiar with are social security, social studies, sociology, social skills, social work.     Social    may also be a description for temporary behaviour—being social   —during a specific period of time.

text: What do we mean by social in relation to learning and the role of teachers? The word social is often used as a modifying adjective to describe behaviour of a group, collective, community, society or organisation. There are social actions and we have social problems. We also understand that   human beings are social animals. We require   interaction with others, so we seek relationship/association/affiliation/cooperation with others and we gather in communities. According to Wikipedia, the etymology of the word social comes from “the Latin word socii (‘allies  ’) referring to allied states of the Roman Republic”. We might take from this that to be social is to be in a positive relationship with others as individuals or groups. During the   COVID-19 health crisis our   connections are  virtual through social media   . Other terms we are familiar with are social security, social studies, sociology, social skills, social work.     Social    may also be a description for temporary behaviour—being social   —during a specific period of time.

year: 2020

title: Truth as a cultural value

authors: Wyatt, Jeremy

abstract: Gila Sher (2025) puts forward a theory of truth that is founded on a thought-provoking strategy for thinking about truth’s nature. According to this strategy, in attempting to develop an account of truth’s nature, we should foreground the fact that truth is an intrinsic human value. In this brief commentary, I will argue that truth is best described as a cultural, rather than a human, value. I will then explore the ramifications that this has for Sher’s strategy for thinking about truth’s nature.

text: Truth as a cultural value Gila Sher (2025) puts forward a theory of truth that is founded on a thought-provoking strategy for thinking about truth’s nature. According to this strategy, in attempting to develop an account of truth’s nature, we should foreground the fact that truth is an intrinsic human value. In this brief commentary, I will argue that truth is best described as a cultural, rather than a human, value. I will then explore the ramifications that this has for Sher’s strategy for thinking about truth’s nature.

year: 2026

title: Different coloured tears: Dual cultural identity and Tangihanga – A directed study

authors: Edge, Kiri

subjects: bereavement

abstract: Although whānau/family that are configured by both Pākehā and Māori identities number significantly within New Zealand, there has been little or no attention paid to the ways in which these identities influence the bereavement processes that will inevitably impact upon the lives of these whānau/family. The present study explored the experiences of an individual, whose whānau/family included two life ways; Māori and Pākehā. Of specific focus was the ways in which these identities influenced his bereavement subsequent to the death of his beloved wife, who was of Māori descent. One elderly male Pākehā participant was interviewed, using an open-ended narrative approach. The interview was semi structured around five broad themes, but the focus was upon the participant’s experiences and his preference in expressing these. The data analysis utilised a thematic process, which allowed the participant’s experiences to determine the emergent themes. The results depicted the diversity of issues that may be raised for dual cultural whānau/family within bereavement processes. Two central themes are discussed in relation to intercultural conflict and the eventual resolution that was created. Decision making processes, cultural and language differences played significant roles within the conflict and exclusion experienced by the participant. Communication and compromise provided resolution to the prior conflicts experienced. This created positive and unexpected outcomes which resulted in increased understandings and the strengthening of links between the participant, his whānau/family and his wife’s marae.

text: Different coloured tears: Dual cultural identity and Tangihanga – A directed study Although whānau/family that are configured by both Pākehā and Māori identities number significantly within New Zealand, there has been little or no attention paid to the ways in which these identities influence the bereavement processes that will inevitably impact upon the lives of these whānau/family. The present study explored the experiences of an individual, whose whānau/family included two life ways; Māori and Pākehā. Of specific focus was the ways in which these identities influenced his bereavement subsequent to the death of his beloved wife, who was of Māori descent. One elderly male Pākehā participant was interviewed, using an open-ended narrative approach. The interview was semi structured around five broad themes, but the focus was upon the participant’s experiences and his preference in expressing these. The data analysis utilised a thematic process, which allowed the participant’s experiences to determine the emergent themes. The results depicted the diversity of issues that may be raised for dual cultural whānau/family within bereavement processes. Two central themes are discussed in relation to intercultural conflict and the eventual resolution that was created. Decision making processes, cultural and language differences played significant roles within the conflict and exclusion experienced by the participant. Communication and compromise provided resolution to the prior conflicts experienced. This created positive and unexpected outcomes which resulted in increased understandings and the strengthening of links between the participant, his whānau/family and his wife’s marae.

year: 2010-01