By Faamoemoe Hakai Soti EDTL905 RESEARCH TOPIC: Perspectives and Perceptions of Teachers, Students and Parents towards Teaching and Learning Food & Textiles Technology in Secondary Schools in Samoa

Focus of Presentation Introduction Introduction The Samoan Context The Samoan Context Samoan Educational Context Samoan Educational Context Literature Review Literature Review Methodology & Methods Methodology & Methods FTT Issues &Challenges FTT Issues &Challenges Research Findings Research Findings Conclusion Conclusion

Samoan Context: Context of the study Geographical context Social and Economical context Political Situation

Educational Context: Informal education (Samoan culture) Informal education (Samoan culture) Formal education (Western culture) Formal education (Western culture) Empowerment of Individual Empowerment of Individual

Literature Review Anderson, (2005) describes H. Economics/FTT as contributing to the shaping of the world through its professional impact on millions of individuals and their families. Nickles(2003) believes that six important issues about the family and their functions to consider are: * food &nutrition * food &nutrition * food safety * food safety * child development * child development * parenting * parenting * textile products * textile products * consumer demands * consumer demands Atwell (1999) sees H. Economics as an opportunity to attain economic freedom and to enhance the productivity of local state and national economies.

Research Questions 1.What perspectives and perceptions do the teachers, students and parents have, towards teaching and learning FTT in Secondary Schools? Main Question 2 What processes are involved in teaching and learning FTT context? context? 3 What are the major factors that impede the successful implementation of the FTT teaching and learning? 3 What are the major factors that impede the successful implementation of the FTT teaching and learning? 4 How can positive perspectives and attitudes towards 4 How can positive perspectives and attitudes towards teaching and learning this subject area be enhanced? teaching and learning this subject area be enhanced?

Methodology: Case Study- qualitative approach Case Study- qualitative approach Sample Sample Participant observation Participant observation In- depth interviewing In- depth interviewing Data Analysis Data Analysis Summary Summary

FTT Issues non- compulsory nature of FTT non- compulsory nature of FTT shortage of specialist teachers shortage of specialist teachers teachers struggle without teaching resources teachers struggle without teaching resources lack of research to strengthen the lack of research to strengthen the pedagogies of FTT pedagogies of FTT prioritise teaching core subjects than vocational subjects prioritise teaching core subjects than vocational subjects

Research Findings Attitudes & Values of Teachers Relevant FTT curriculum is on need based Relevant FTT curriculum is on need based FTT education needs to be a compulsory subject for all students in primary, secondary & tertiary FTT education needs to be a compulsory subject for all students in primary, secondary & tertiary FTT programme did not get much support from community FTT programme did not get much support from community A need to change attitudes towards teaching and learning FTT A need to change attitudes towards teaching and learning FTT I

Research Findings Contd. Attitudes & Values of Teachers MESC needs to ensure that there is a pool of high quality teachers to implement curriculum- upgrade qualification MESC needs to ensure that there is a pool of high quality teachers to implement curriculum- upgrade qualification Incentive packages- salary increase for teachers Incentive packages- salary increase for teachers On- going professional training of FTT teachers to master the practical oriented skills and content knowledge of FTT On- going professional training of FTT teachers to master the practical oriented skills and content knowledge of FTT Provide special awards (for the FTT teachers of the Year, Students, Parent support and industry support). Provide special awards (for the FTT teachers of the Year, Students, Parent support and industry support).

Perceptions of Parents Perceptions of Parents FTT is expensive but willing to pay fees to support better future for their children FTT is expensive but willing to pay fees to support better future for their children Establish career pathways awareness programs in schools. Establish career pathways awareness programs in schools. Absence of community participation in decision-making and the teaching - learning processes. One reason for the lack of understanding at school & community level. Absence of community participation in decision-making and the teaching - learning processes. One reason for the lack of understanding at school & community level. Research Findings Contd

Perceptions of Students To become a productive member of the society To become a productive member of the society To become a good citizen and make the right decisions To become a good citizen and make the right decisions Want to be a chef like my mother Want to be a chef like my mother Increase more skills for self employment Increase more skills for self employment Teachers need further training to implement practical skills Teachers need further training to implement practical skills

Conclusion Education is the key to Success & Development Education is the key to Success & Development Results will hope to provide guidance to MESC to improve professional development for teachers, resource provision and to upgrade the status of teaching and learning FTT in secondary schools Results will hope to provide guidance to MESC to improve professional development for teachers, resource provision and to upgrade the status of teaching and learning FTT in secondary schools Results will also improve the educational chain that needs substantial strengthening and upgrading for teaching & learning FTT in Samoa Results will also improve the educational chain that needs substantial strengthening and upgrading for teaching & learning FTT in Samoa Fa’afetai Lava