Connections & Conversations:Making Links to Learning
Ministry of Education, Wellington. 2006
ISBN: 0-478-13425-8
Many schools are seeking to improve engagement with parents and communities to support Pasifika learning and achievement.
The resource consists of an introductory booklet and a DVD to be used for providing professional development in schools.
The DVD features principals, teachers, students and Pasifika parents sharing their experiences and perspectives on a variety of topics linked to education.
The Purpose of the resource is to
- Help schools further consider the teaching and learning needs of Pasifika students
- Assist schools to consider their practices in developing learner-centred relationships, conversations and dialogue with Pasifika parents and communities
- Encourage schools to reflect on the varied cultural contexts and aspirations of their students, parents and communities
Overview of the resource
The DVD (32 minutes) and the booklet are divided into four workshop sessions designed to progress in order. Each workshop involves viewing and discussion time. Background information, prompt questions, quotes and strategies for facilitation are provided in the booklet.
Workshop Session 1
Setting the scene:Introductions/round robin (all write one unique/anonymous statement about self. Place in post box. Group to guess who belongs to the statement.
Getting started: conversation prompts provided for
-Exploring diversity
-Exploring culture and cultural capital
-Who are Pasifika Peoples?
DVD Part 1:Diversity and Identity
For population information on Pasifika peoples
Follow-up: discussion prompts/quotes provided.
Intersession activity: suggestions provided
Further reading: Wendt-Samu, T (2003) Multiple Lenses, Multiple Ways of Seeing Our World: Critical reflections of notions of diversity and multicultural.
Workshop Session 2
Setting the scene: Many Pasifika students come from different worlds. For some handling the roles and responsibilities of home and expectations of society, school, church, sports or social groups can be a daily challenge.
Exercise – draw a spider map of the “different worlds” in which you currently live.
DVD Part 2: Different Worlds, Different Experiences
Follow-up: discussion prompts/quotes provided
Intersession activity: suggestions provided
Workshop Session 3
Setting the scene: Research shows that teacher expectations highly influence student achievement. Student voice on the DVD describes how some students believe their teachers see them as less competent learners.
Some Pasifika parents have unrealistically high expectations for their children. Students may find themselves pulled between these sometimes contradictory sets of expectations.
DVD Part 3: Expectations and Relevancy
-Teachers encouraged to reflect on their personal views on safe/inclusive classrooms
-Are your views/expectations effectively supporting the teaching and learning?
Follow-up: statements/quotes provided to discuss
Workshop Session 4
Setting the scene: Many schools already involve Pasifika parents in cultural activities/fundraising. This provides a good foundation for building an even deeper involvement of engagement where parents and schools collaboratively work together to support students’ learning and achievement.
Some Pasifika parents may be hesitant and uncertain about how to become more engaged with supporting their children. Schools will need to be creative and proactive in developing engagement with Pasifika parents/communities.
DVD Part 4:Involvement and Engagement
Follow-up exercise: Brainstorm ways your school is
inviting intentionally/unintentionally
not inviting intentionally/unintentionally
This activity could also be used with parents and students.
Where to from here?
A series of six question cards is provided in the booklet to support getting conversations underway with teachers, parents and students.
Connections & Conversations: Making Links for Learning aims to develop school capability in engaging more effectively with Pasifika parents, communities, and students to enhance leaning and student achievement.
Bronwyn Collard
April 2011
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