Advancing the participation of Pacific learners: The Waikato example

NCLANA Symposium, July 2014, Wellington
Advancing the participation of
Pacific Learners: The Waikato
Example
Overview
• Development of the Pacific Plan (goals)
• Background and goals of the Strategic Initiative
• Types of programmes introduced
• What we have learned during the Initiative
• Reflections on future strategies and goals
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Pacific Plan
• Six key goals –
–
–
–
–
Infrastructure development
Increase EFTS
Increase paper completions
Provide teaching & research relevant to needs of Pacific
peoples
– Enhance teaching and research capacity of Pacific staff
– Increase the Pacific dimensions of the Waikato student
experience and campus culture
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First steps – funding & staffing
• In 2012, a Strategic Initiative Project (SIF) approved
for Student Learning. Began in March 2013.
• Three main goals of project:
– to contribute to the establishment of an infrastructure for
the University’s Pacific Plan;
– to provide flexible academic skills learning development
opportunities relevant to the needs and aspirations of
Pacific students; and
– to increase their completion and retention rates.
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First steps – funding & staffing
• Appointment of a Pacific Learning developer (Centre
for Tertiary Teaching & Learning)
• Appointment of a Senior Policy Advisor (Office of the
Deputy Vice-Chancellor)
• Appointment of a Pacific Student Support
Coordinator (Student & Academic Services)
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Second steps - initiatives
• Pacific WaiConnect
(embedded in SL)
• Centrally-located drop-in
tutorial help
• Using a holistic approach
• Shared Learning
• Tailored (specialised)
academic skills
workshops
• Liaising with Pacific Island
student clubs
• Meeting the community
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Pacific WaiConnect - objectives
• Bringing students together – establish a sense of
belonging and confidence in themselves
• Providing opportunities for students to
i. create and maintain strong supportive and social
networks with other students
ii. exchange ideas about learning
iii. make connections with services and support staff
• Helping and encouraging students achieve academic
and personal goals
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Weaving together support
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Weaving together support
• Waikato is a medium-sized university
• This makes communication and cooperation amongst
staff straight-forward
• SASD / Student Learning / Halls of Residence / Pacific
Policy Advisor
• Other ….
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Pacific WaiConnect - programmes
• Themes / Workshops
• Pacific pedagogy of
learning ?? What’s that?
• Pacific styles of learning
– small groups, shared
learning, humour,
interactive, a lot of
practice, some notes.
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Pacific WaiConnect - programmes
• Drop-in tutorial help
(flexible hours)
• 2 hours – Wednesday
afternoons
• 3 hours Tuesday
evenings
• Very successful
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Pacific WaiConnect - programmes
• Motivational speakers,
celebrations & awards
• Involving the
community
• Miss Heilala
• Rewarding student
achievement and
improvement
• Competition winners
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Pacific WaiConnect - programmes
• Workshops embedded
in faculties
• Faculty of Education
• More academic focused
• Shared learning
• Open to other students
from other faculties and
international students
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Pacific WaiConnect - programmes
• Study groups
• MA Waikato
• Open to other Pacific
and international
scholars
• Share ideas, receive
advice and information
from invited guests.
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What have we learned?
• To be inclusive of ALL Pacific learners, Pasifika had
to be changed to Pasifik.
• Connection with Pacific learners is vital for student
engagement – it takes time and effort
• Pacific learners engage when teaching is culturally
responsive and inclusive
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What have we learned?
• Low levels of literacy - Pacific learners not
successful in the transition from high school / the
workforce to university studies (formal educational
institution)
• Poor skills in time management, prioritising, and
self discipline – a hindrance to Pacific learners’
achievement
• Ignorance of / lack of confidence to use the
numerous and useful services offered by the
university - contribute to their downfall
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Where to next?
Services
Academic
Faculties
Connection &
Collaboration
Services
Pastoral
Students
Pacific
WaiConnect
Where to next?
• Key aspect of the work of Student Learning - the
development of referral networks across the Faculties
and Service departments.
Referral by
Faculties and
Services to
Student Learning
programmes
Continue to meet and
discuss Pacific
students’ learning
needs with mentors
and staff in Faculties &
Service departments
Referral by
Student Learning
to appropriate
expertise areas
Where to next?
• Continue to develop
culturally appropriate
academic literacy
initiatives for Pacific
students
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• A paradigm shift:
mentally & culturally
• Adaptability to a
continuously changing
environment
• Balance - connecting
with both worlds
• Responsibility to family
and society
Summary
Literacy skills are the foundation stone for success in
educational attainment, employability, community
participation, individual confidence and well-being.
Clarke and Dugdale, (2008)
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Centre for Tertiary Teaching
& Learning, Student Learning
Faculty of Education
The University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton, New Zealand
0800 WAIKATO
www.waikato.ac.nz