Date of Award
1-1-2000
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Master in Education
Faculty
Faculty of Community Services, Education and Social Sciences
First Supervisor
Richard Fuller
Abstract
The increase in Indigenous participation in university courses in recent years has not been matched by an increase in graduation. In the mainstream university population, student success has been linked to approaches to learning, which are linked to conceptions of learning. This study investigates what conceptions of learning Indigenous students identify at the beginning of their university career. Thirty six students completed a 'Reflections on Learning Inventory' developed by Meyer (1995). Nine of these students were interviewed in depth about what they thought learning was and how they would go about it. The interview analysis for each of the nine students was compared with their individual inventory profile. It was anticipated that the use of such complementary methods would increase the validity of the findings, but this was not the case. The participants identified a range of conceptions comparable with those identified by mainstream students, but with a greater emphasis on understanding. However, the descriptions of how learning happens were undeveloped and not likely to result in the kind of learning described. The findings will be useful in making curricula decisions in an Indigenous university preparation course that encourage students to adopt successful strategies for learning. In addition, it will also be useful information for the participants themselves as they become reflective learners.
Recommended Citation
Bunker, A. M. (2000). Conceptions of learning identified by indigenous students entering a University preparation course. Edith Cowan University. Retrieved from https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1370