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Personalising Learning. Ministry of Education.

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Student views about learning

One teacher followed up some suggestions in What do students believe about learning? to find out what his students' views are. He asked students in a Year 11 class:

  • What are the general characteristics of good learners?
  • What are some characteristics of Pasifika, Māori, Asian, and European students that make them good learners?

Responses

The table records the answers from the 10 Pasifika students and 12 Pākehā students who participated

Characteristics of:

Pasifika student answers

Pākehā student answers

Any good learners

Listen carefully to the teacher (6)

Do their homework (3)

Do not get distracted (3)

Take good notes (2)

Ask questions (2)

Have commitment (2)

Have determination (2)

Are not shy (1)

Have a willingness to learn (1)

Read a lot (1)

Study extra hard (1)

Put in a lot of effort (5)

Listen really well (3)

Study hard (2)

Pay attention really well (2)

Have help from parents (2)

Show determination/desire to succeed (2)

Have help from friends (1)

Give everything a go (1)

Are not afraid to ask questions (1)

Are naturally smart (1)

Do their homework (1)

Have a good memory (1)

Good Pasifika learners

As for any good learner, plus:

  • Are relaxed
  • Are interested in learning
  • Think outside the box.
  • Are funny and entertaining

As for any good learner, plus:

  • Learn in different ways
  • Learn from their mistakes
  • Work well in groups
  • Are committed to their work
  • Are thankful for help they are given
  • Are helped by their religion

Good Māori learners

As for any good learner, plus:

  • Are relaxed
  • Are not scared of learning
  • Join in all parts of the class
  • Have common sense

As for any good learner, plus:

  • Learn in different ways
  • Learn from their mistakes
  • Gain from their culture
  • Have innate intelligence
  • Work hard

Good Asian learners

As for any good learner, plus:

  • Can concentrate well (2)
  • Are not scared of the work
  • Sit at the front (2)
  • Are quiet in class
  • Are pushed by their family to succeed

As for any good learner, plus:

  • Have strong perseverance
  • Work hard to understand the language of the subject
  • Don't talk in class
  • Have a supportive
  • Have access to modern technology

Good Pākehā learners

As for any good learner, plus:

  • Are quiet in class
  • Use fancy words
  • Answer questions promptly
  • Know what it takes to succeed
  • Realise that to get a good job you need to be successful

As for any good learner, plus:

  • Understand the work well
  • Show perseverance
  • Speak their thoughts
  • Have high achievement expectations
  • Put education first
  • Have friends that help them

Analysis

You might be interested to see if there are differences between the Pasifika learners' views and the Pākehā learners' views in the number of times they mention characteristics related to:

  • putting in effort to learn
  • paying attention
  • having the confidence to participate and learn
  • having support from others.

One analysis of the comments suggests that Pasifika students put more emphasis on paying attention and on confidence, and less emphasis on students putting in effort.

More Pākehā than Pasifika students mention support from other people as a characteristic of good learners.

You might have noticed the considerable difference in the way Pasifika and Pākehā students describe good Pasifika and Māori students. The Pasifika descriptions of good Pasifika and Māori students are very positive and relevant to effective learning. It seems they have good role models among their Pasifika and Māori peers.

How might you help extend these characteristics to all Pasifika students?

Among other approaches, you could consider the suggestions in the inquiry A caring and inclusive classroom environment .

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