title: Primary school teachers crossing boundaries: The experiences of transitioning between different class levels in primary schools from a teachers' perspective.

authors: Carlyon, Tracey

abstract: Teachers cross a number of boundaries during their teaching careers. In this study crossing boundaries refers specifically to teachers transitioning between different class levels in primary schools. The study focuses on the benefits and challenges teachers face from this boundary crossing and how the practice of transitioning between different class levels is implemented in primary schools. A key principle that underpins this study is the importance of teachers becoming critical reflective practitioners to improve their teaching. A case study approach grounded in an interpretive methodology has been used for this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with teachers who have transitioned between different class levels. Three broad themes emerged as being central to teachers transitioning: benefits of transitioning between different class levels; the impact of school culture and leadership on teachers transitioning; and the role of mentors in teachers’ transitions. The major findings from the study indicate that transitioning between different class levels in primary schools is a critical component of teachers’ ongoing personal and professional growth, learning and development. Transitioning between different class levels highlights a kind of horizontal development which requires a shift away from the singular vertical notion that tends to dominate in teachers’ development. The study indicates that in order for teachers to become extended professionals who have a broad understanding of the learning needs of all students, schools should support and actively encourage teachers to transition between different class levels.

text: Primary school teachers crossing boundaries: The experiences of transitioning between different class levels in primary schools from a teachers' perspective. Teachers cross a number of boundaries during their teaching careers. In this study crossing boundaries refers specifically to teachers transitioning between different class levels in primary schools. The study focuses on the benefits and challenges teachers face from this boundary crossing and how the practice of transitioning between different class levels is implemented in primary schools. A key principle that underpins this study is the importance of teachers becoming critical reflective practitioners to improve their teaching. A case study approach grounded in an interpretive methodology has been used for this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with teachers who have transitioned between different class levels. Three broad themes emerged as being central to teachers transitioning: benefits of transitioning between different class levels; the impact of school culture and leadership on teachers transitioning; and the role of mentors in teachers’ transitions. The major findings from the study indicate that transitioning between different class levels in primary schools is a critical component of teachers’ ongoing personal and professional growth, learning and development. Transitioning between different class levels highlights a kind of horizontal development which requires a shift away from the singular vertical notion that tends to dominate in teachers’ development. The study indicates that in order for teachers to become extended professionals who have a broad understanding of the learning needs of all students, schools should support and actively encourage teachers to transition between different class levels.

year: 2011

title: Inflation and Macroeconomic Effects of Inflation Targeting in Asia: Time-Series and Cross-Country Analysis

authors: Valera, Harold Glenn A.

subjects: Inflation targeting

abstract: Controlling inflation is important. The 2008-2009 global financial crisis created new concerns about the macroeconomic effects of inflation targeting. A key issue for many central banks in recent years has been that inflation is uncomfortably too low rather than too high. This thesis examines the impact of inflation targeting on the behaviour of inflation, output growth and real exchange rates for eight Asian countries using time-series and panel data from 1987 to 2013. The econometric methodologies employed include panel GARCH, quantile unit root and Markov regime-switching testing. Panel GARCH results indicate that inflation targeting is more credible in lowering the inflation level rather than its volatility. The quantile unit root testing results indicate that the credibility of inflation targeting and alternative monetary policy frameworks in Asia are imperfect, except for Malaysia and South Korea. Results also suggest that targeting countries have been building up their monetary policy credibility more than non-targeting countries, based on a faster rate of decline in inflation rate changes. Results generally indicate the presence of mean-reversion at the lower quantiles only. Where stationarity is present, results indicate varied speed of adjustment process across quantiles. The regime-switching results indicate that inflation and output growth are generally characterized by partial stationarity, while there is mostly varied stationarity in real exchange rates. Results also indicate that inflation targeting significantly affects the inferred probabilities of remaining in the stationary regime, mainly for output growth and real exchange rates and for inflation in some cases. Results further indicate that the variance of inflation and output growth is lower during the inflation targeting period. Furthermore, results indicate that there is a significant difference between targeting and non-targeting countries in terms of the speed of adjustment of macroeconomic variables towards the equilibrium level and the behaviour of inferred probabilities of remaining in the stationary regime.

text: Inflation and Macroeconomic Effects of Inflation Targeting in Asia: Time-Series and Cross-Country Analysis Controlling inflation is important. The 2008-2009 global financial crisis created new concerns about the macroeconomic effects of inflation targeting. A key issue for many central banks in recent years has been that inflation is uncomfortably too low rather than too high. This thesis examines the impact of inflation targeting on the behaviour of inflation, output growth and real exchange rates for eight Asian countries using time-series and panel data from 1987 to 2013. The econometric methodologies employed include panel GARCH, quantile unit root and Markov regime-switching testing. Panel GARCH results indicate that inflation targeting is more credible in lowering the inflation level rather than its volatility. The quantile unit root testing results indicate that the credibility of inflation targeting and alternative monetary policy frameworks in Asia are imperfect, except for Malaysia and South Korea. Results also suggest that targeting countries have been building up their monetary policy credibility more than non-targeting countries, based on a faster rate of decline in inflation rate changes. Results generally indicate the presence of mean-reversion at the lower quantiles only. Where stationarity is present, results indicate varied speed of adjustment process across quantiles. The regime-switching results indicate that inflation and output growth are generally characterized by partial stationarity, while there is mostly varied stationarity in real exchange rates. Results also indicate that inflation targeting significantly affects the inferred probabilities of remaining in the stationary regime, mainly for output growth and real exchange rates and for inflation in some cases. Results further indicate that the variance of inflation and output growth is lower during the inflation targeting period. Furthermore, results indicate that there is a significant difference between targeting and non-targeting countries in terms of the speed of adjustment of macroeconomic variables towards the equilibrium level and the behaviour of inferred probabilities of remaining in the stationary regime.

year: 2017

title: Mana whenua / Belonging through assessment: A kōhanga reo perspective

authors: McMillan, Hoana

abstract: This article presents the findings from a Teacher Led-Innovation Fund (TLIF) project where kaiako set out to develop and then explore Ngā kōrero tuku iho as an assessment approach within kōhanga reo. Underpinned by kaupapa Māori research protocols, wānanga (discussions) were held with kaiako and whānau to evaluate the approach. The findings from wānanga with whānau are presented and discussed in this article encouraging new ways of thinking about Mana Whenua/Belonging within the context of assessment and beyond.

text: Mana whenua / Belonging through assessment: A kōhanga reo perspective This article presents the findings from a Teacher Led-Innovation Fund (TLIF) project where kaiako set out to develop and then explore Ngā kōrero tuku iho as an assessment approach within kōhanga reo. Underpinned by kaupapa Māori research protocols, wānanga (discussions) were held with kaiako and whānau to evaluate the approach. The findings from wānanga with whānau are presented and discussed in this article encouraging new ways of thinking about Mana Whenua/Belonging within the context of assessment and beyond.

year: 2020