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February 25, 2014
Research identifies pointers to education success
Waatea Team
Posted On February 25, 2014
A group of Te Arawa researchers have identified culture and a Maori world view as essential for helping Maori students get the best from their education.
Angus Hikairo McFarlane has led a two-year study, backed by Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga, the centre for Maori research excellence, into what made Rotorua’s best students tick.
He says the researchers used historical Te Arawa role models to identify attributes which seemed important, such as diligence, commitment, innovation and creativity, well being and humility.
What came through was the importance the students placed on giving knowledge a local context.
"They wanted the curriculum to be more relevant to their rich context, which is right at their doorstep, and that played a very important part in how they were motivated, how the learning and teaching became more meaningful. Probably it had an impact also on the retention of the knowledge,"Professor McFarlane says,
The most successful students tended to be goal-oriented and future-focused, with many of them have a clear career path in sight.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ANGUS HIKAIRO MCFARLANE CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTU2NjY=
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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