This article presents an illustrative and instrumental case study of participatory design and co-production as used in curriculum renewal for a bachelor's degree in library and information studies (LIS). It outlines the process of constant review and reflection to improve the next round of development. The authors use the lenses of participatory…

In February 2020, the Ministry of Education asked the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) to examine the curriculum-levelling construct that sits at the heart of The New Zealand Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 2007). A key goal of the research was to investigate, whether-- and if so, how--the construct helps (or hinders)…

Many adults who need an understanding of statistical concepts have limited mathematical skills. They need a teaching approach that includes as little mathematical context as possible. Iterative participatory qualitative research (action research) was used to develop a statistical literacy course for adult learners informed by teaching in…

The overall plea in maintaining communication English as a subject in New Zealand technical schools is for "communication" to be recognized as separate from "English." The emphasis, then, is on the use of language, not its analysis; and this shift seems to make the course more appealing than regular English study for vocational…

Ponders whether the Form 5-7 geography syllabus in New Zealand should be changed by discussing the positive and negative aspects of the current syllabus. Addresses the benefits a new syllabus would offer the subject of geography and students and offers topics for inclusion in a new syllabus. (CMK)

Asserts that the New Zealand Form 5-7 geography syllabus does not need to be changed explaining that change for political purposes and individual whims are neither in the interest of the geography teaching community or students. Believes that what is needed is the development of strategies to make geography relevant and appealing to students. (CMK)

Proposes content changes for a revised geography syllabus in New Zealand discussing each strand: (1) social organization; (2) culture and heritage; (3) place and environment; (4) time, continuity, and change; (5) resources and economic activities; and (6) making sense of planet earth and beyond. Addresses current trends in geography and syllabus…

Contends that the current syllabus for geography education in New Zealand is outdated and lacks relevance for students. Offers a case for syllabus revision and the reexamination of the geography discipline. Provides suggestions for the case of reform in relation to new syllabus content. (CMK)

Discusses geography teaching, past and present, by focusing on ideas of Russian anarchist, Peter Kropotkin, and then describing Forms 5 to 7 of the New Zealand syllabus. Reviews the syllabus stressing that it is successful in providing ways to organize knowledge, but is less so on research as an orderly intellectual activity. (CMK)

The first (exploratory) phase of the Learning in Science Project focused on science teaching/learning in the Form 1 to 4 level (ages 10 to 14) and sought to identify problems and difficulties in several areas. Provided in this paper are comments obtained during structured/unstructured interviews (from teachers, headmasters, science advisers, and…