Sarah Aiono

Citation

Thesis Title
An Investigation of Two Models of Professional Development to Support Effective Teaching through Play Practices in the Primary Classroom

Play has become popular as a teaching tool in primary classrooms. However, there is a tension between what teachers know and believe, and how they use play successfully as a tool to support learning. Using a mixed methods ‘intervention’ research design, Ms Aiono provided a professional development coaching intervention to support teachers’ play practice implementation. She found that participating in practice-based coaching positively influenced teacher behaviour and practices. Ms Aiono’s findings contribute to the growing international literature identifying the value of more intensive professional learning and development support over an extended period to ensure implementation fidelity of the complex practices required to teach through play.

Supervisors
Associate Professor Tara McLaughlin
Professor Tracy Riley