Education Foundations Comment #2 Topic #2 (Elle's Blog)
I also chose the Jane scenario and taking part in the group activity within our Education Foundations tute we analysed the scenario, the group looked at Jane’s background. The scenario highlights her privileged upbringing and education, considering this in regards to Jane’s teaching approach may be what is dampening her ability to engage her students. Jane may be approaching her classes and students from the wrong perspective, she may be relating the work to her own interests and not taking the time to engage the students in what they are interested in, ‘It is important to bear in mind that motivation is intimately linked with individual and/or situational interest within learning, curricula and family contexts (McInerney & Van Etten 2001). Building relationships with students through communication will allow them to engage and become dedicated individuals if you show an interest in them.
Jane is in her first year out of University and as Elle mentions Jane’s lack of teaching experience is probably a significant factor in why she is struggling to engage and control her students. Findings through my ELPC research on rural schools in Australia highlights the fact that remote communities find it hard to retain staff and in general most of the teachers within these schools are new graduates who are either out of their first or second year of university. Not having experienced staff is an obstruction for the students who are continuously experimented on to see what works and what doesn’t. This to me is significant in relation to why the parents are openly hostile towards the school, Elle mentions ‘poor family environment, lack of family education’ , along with this and in relation to town and community history, frustration from this continuous turnover of staff and the divide between town and farming kids may be another factor. The welfare of the community and cultural differences is a possible factor in this divide.
Looking at the behaviourist views of motivation and working with the rewards and/or punishment approach could be an approach Jane can incorporate within her classes. ‘Motivation plays a significant role in student interest and enjoyment, is subject to influence from peers, teachers, parents, subjects and schools, and is informed by ethnic and cultural backgrounds’ (MacCallum 2001; Martin 2007, 2008). Motivation is therefore influenced through personal, social, emotional, cultural and environmental factors, Jane needs to consider the environment she is teaching in and creating a foundation with the community and her students.
