Title
Student Engagement in the Middle Years: A Year 8 Case Study
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2007
Abstract
Various explanations and solutions have been proposed over the last ten years in relation to the ongoing problem of student lack of engagement with the middle years' curriculum in Australia. Identified contributors to this problem include an irrelevant or trivial curricular focus and ineffectual teaching and learning strategies. In this paper we report on a case study of a group of Year 8 teachers' beliefs and practices about what promotes or constrains this engagement. We found that while the teachers sought to introduce less directive approaches to topics, and were trying to encourage students' sense of task ownership and direction, they struggled to develop effective student self-regulatory practices. We conclude by identifying some practical strategies that support the growth of these practices as one aspect of student engagement.
Recommended Citation
Tadich, B., Deed, C., Campbell, C., & Prain, V. (2007). Student engagement in the middle years: A year 8 case study. Issues In Educational Research, 17(2), 256-271.
Comments
Staff and Students of the University of Notre Dame Australia may access the full text of this article here
This article may be accessed from the publisher here
Issues In Educational Research may be accessed from the National Library of Australia here
The Author:
Dr Chris Campbell