Question D in the AcAd survey was open-ended. It asked, ‘In what way does the role of the AcAd differ from the role of the teacher?’ There was rich data provided in responses provided by all the AcAds. The following were particularly illuminating:
An academic adviser is totally different from a teacher. I have never been asked to offer advice on subject matter or content for any assessments. This role is to create an autonomous learner out of the student (CLll) (Clog). Where a teacher will work on Maths, English, Science, etc., we work on time management, goal setting, organisation and planning, dealing with distraction, etc. (TStm) (TSos) (SRsa). Ours is the base framework of a learning culture and how to go about learning (CLll). Teachers completely fill in the frame with knowledge. (AcAd 10)
My view is that AcAd allows the student to do most of the talking. The content discussed is totally unique to that individual’s lifestyle and experiences (LRuv). External factors affecting that student play a major role (LRuv). This is not the case when teaching a group of students. A teacher’s role is more regulated and direct. (AcAd 9)
An ‘adviser’ is just that – we offer ideas and strategies, but it is up to students to take the next step and implement them (SAre). We are also able to view the students more holistically than classroom teachers (LRuv). We are not driven by core content or assessment schedules; rather by individual learning and management needs. We work from ‘the outside in’ if you like. (AcAd 3)
The analysis of these data revealed a message very similar to the one sent by students and parents/caregivers. The learning relationships theme came through very strongly in all responses, particularly with regard to the AcAds’ understanding of the whole person, and the fact that students had a life outside of school. AcAd 3’s concept of ‘working from the outside in’ captured the essence of the AcAds’ perception of their role.
4.4.3 Self-regulation: Self-regulatory Processes
Quantitative responses to Statement 6 of the AcAd survey were analysed in section 4.2.3, where they were used for purposes of triangulation with student data. All the AcAds agreed or strongly agreed that students had established clear academic goals. Data from Statement 9 in the AcAd survey, which referred to students’ written goals, are presented in Table 4.33.
Table 4.33 Quantitative data from Statement 9 of the AcAd survey: ‘The students have written down their goals.’
Number of responses Mean score Strongly disagree Disagree Cannot say Agree Strongly agree 10 4.8 0% 0% 0% 20% 80%
All the AcAds agreed or strongly agreed that students had written down their goals. Writing down goals was seen as promoting greater student responsibility for outcomes:
During the program students are required to write down their goals (SRsa) each term on paper and take these goals away with them to put them in a place they can see regularly. This process is beneficial, as the students become more responsible for their goal (SRpo) and understand what is required of them in order to achieve it (SRev), rather than just having a general goal written down or in their head. (AcAd 5)
Two AcAds added some important dimensions to the focus on goals:
We (SRma) do this every term. We also write specific, associated action steps (SRev). We review both (SRev) at the beginning of every session and make adjustments necessary (SRev). (AcAd 3)
Every one of my students writes down their academic goals (SRsa) and working habit goals every term (CLll). (AcAd 8)
Goal-setting was seen as a process and an opportunity for reflection, rather than an outcome by the AcAds. However, as AcAd 2 pointed out, writing down goals does not guarantee they are put into action by the student:
We write them down, but for some students this is as far as it goes (SRmm).
Statement 10 of the AcAd survey inquired about the extent to which students’ goals were discussed in AcAd meetings. These data are presented in Table 4.34.
Table 4.34 Quantitative data from Statement 10 of the AcAd survey: ‘The students and I often refer to their goals when we meet.’
Number of responses Mean score Strongly disagree Disagree Cannot say Agree Strongly agree 10 4.5 0% 0% 10% 30% 60%
The AcAds affirmed this statement, although they were slightly less positive in their responses than they were in their responses to Statement 9. To illustrate, AcAd 10 indicated that:
The goals are usually rehashed around exam time and this is where written down goals are invaluable (SRsa) as there is no student deniability with regard to their goal setting (SAid).
Another AcAd elaborated on the statement with a comment and question that contradicted AcAd 10 and explained any lack of commitment on behalf of students:
Yes, we refer to them often, but not all students are engaged in this conversation (FDgi). I feel as though some students do not want to commit to a goal. Maybe it is fear of failure (SMse-) and/or accountability for their learning (FDin) (AcAd 2)
Question E on the AcAd survey asked: ‘What types of behaviours would you expect a student to exhibit at the conclusion of the AcAd Program?’ AcAd 3’s response included an emphasis on obtaining a balance and self-evaluation/reflection, which were two dimensions of the self-regulatory processes theme.
I would expect students to view learning as a lifelong, individualised journey (CLll). I would hope that they would take risks (FDpa), understanding that disappointments and failures are ‘par for the course’ and often lead to the greatest achievements (SRev). I would expect that these students understand the importance of reflection (SRev). I would expect them to be able to manage tasks and time (TStm); bearing in mind the need for life balance (SRba). (AcAd 3)
Data from the AcAd survey indicated a particular focus on student-initiated goal-setting, while recognising that in most cases the road to autonomous goal-setting began with the AcAd helping the student to set their own goals. In contrast to data from either students or parents/caregivers, AcAds expressed some frustration with students who failed to follow through on their goals. The AcAds emphasised the importance of students reflecting on their own performance and, where appropriate, learning from failures. They also identified the need for students to motivate themselves to adopt a positive approach to learning. The relative frequency with which the various coded comments appeared in the AcAd survey data is presented in Figure 4.14.
Figure 4.14 Relative frequency with which coded comments in the self-regulatory processes theme appeared in the AcAd survey data
Goal setting 40% Self reflection 13% Manging procrastination 6% Obtaining a balanced approach 6% Developing a positive attitude 25% Prioritizing 8%
Goals set but not achieved
Goal-setting (40 per cent) was perceived to be a major focus in AcAds’ conversations with students. AcAds perceived that students were setting goals and, with a few exceptions, effectively working towards their goals. Developing a more positive attitude to learning (25 per cent) was another area of focus. AcAds noted that students were developing the ability to reflect upon their own performance. Prioritising tasks (8 per cent), managing procrastination (6 per cent) and obtaining a balanced approach (6 per cent) were also identified as focus areas.
4.4.4 Self-regulation: Task Strategies
Figure 4.1 illustrated the emphasis given to the various task strategies by students. Qualitative student data indicated that organisational strategies (TSos) and time management (TStm) were the most frequent codes to result from the analysis process. A similar emphasis was apparent from the analysis of qualitative data from the AcAds; however, there was a marked difference in the emphasis given to study skills by the two groups. While students didn’t refer to study skills as often as organisational or time- management skills, they did consider them to be important. AcAds referred to study skills less frequently than the students, and when they did, it was in the context of helping students to prepare for exams.
The following answer to Question E on the AcAd survey, which asked the AcAd to identify the behaviours students develop through the program, one AcAd wrote:
To be able to create their own study plans, to automatically be able to manage their time (TStm) and plan for upcoming tests and assessments (TSos), to be able to have skills to cope with anxiety and test nerves (FDan) and to know how to be self-motivated (SRpo) learners and to set their own goals (SRsa). (AcAd 8)
A similar blend of themes emerged from an answer to Question F, which asked AcAds to identify the students’ weakest area of self-regulation:
Students do not look at their available time. They become easily overwhelmed by work and feel they have no time (TStm). When available time is identified, it is clear that they are able to commit time to academics and will have sufficient time for other activities (SRba). (AcAd 1)
AcAds saw task strategies as the key to solving other issues that concerned students, such as anxiety levels and the need to balance schoolwork with other activities. They noted improvements in various dimensions of this theme. A summary of the relative frequency with which the various coded data appeared in the AcAd survey is presented in Figure 4.15.
Figure 4.15 Relative frequency with which coded data relating to task strategies appeared in the AcAd survey
Data obtained from the AcAd survey were in accord with data obtained from the parent/caregiver and student surveys. AcAds perceived improving time management (43 per cent) and organisational strategies (41 per cent) to be the areas of greatest focus. As noted in section 4.4.7, the AcAds believed that improving task strategies would alleviate students’ and parents/caregivers’ concerns about anxiety and stress.
4.4.5 Self-regulation: Self-motivational Beliefs
As was the case with data from students and parents/caregivers, AcAds’ focus on improving the self-efficacy (SMse) of students dominated this theme. Quantitative data from Statement 8 in the AcAd survey set the scene for analysing this theme. Quantitative data from this part of the AcAd survey are presented in Table 4.35.
Adopting more effective study skills
9% Improving time management 43% Adopitng organisation al strategies 41% Being more proactive 7%
Table 4.35 Quantitative data from Statement 8 of the AcAd survey: ‘The students’ level of self-confidence is increasing over time.’
Number of responses Mean score Strongly disagree Disagree Cannot say Agree Strongly agree 10 4.5 0% 0% 0% 50% 50%
All the AcAds either agreed or strongly agreed with the proposition that students’ level of self-regulation was increasing over time. These data indicated that AcAds with a mean score of 4.5 were more convinced about the improvement than the students, as the mean for them in response to the same proposition was 4.08, and it was stronger than the parents/caregivers, where the mean was 4.11. While all means are strong, this inconsistency can perhaps be explained by the AcAds’ focus on the whole group, and their observation of changes in students as they moved through the program over a number of years. In other words, they may have reflected on a group of students throughout the history of the program, and not on one individual, as was the case with responses to the other surveys. Despite these differences, the majority of respondents in all three groups believed that the students’ level of self-confidence had increased.
There were qualitative data in the elaborations to Statement 8 to illustrate this point:
I feel the confidence level (SMse) of those students who attend their regular meetings increase as they try to adapt and change their learning habits (CLll), which in turn allows them to experience positive outcomes in their learning (MMss). (AcAd 12)
This comment identified a virtuous circle in which the student addressed weaknesses and built on strengths with the assistance of their AcAd, which led to greater self-confidence, which in turn made them open to further improvement. The relatively small amount of qualitative self-motivational data provided from the AcAd survey did not warrant a graphical summary.
4.4.6 Learning Power: Learning Relationships
The significance of the learning relationships theme has been noted in the analysis of student and parent/caregiver data. Survey responses from AcAds also contained an abundance of data relating to the learning relationships theme. AcAds indicated that they
valued their relationships with students in the program, while recognising that the trust students had placed in them had formed the foundation of their work:
I feel the program is rewarding, as it is working one on one (LRbe) with individual needs of the students and allowing them to overcome challenges they face (LRuv). I feel the students can express their feelings and honest opinion to me, as I am not their parent or their teacher (LRin). I do feel there is a large amount of time required per child for administration and lesson planning/research, as each child has different needs (LRuv). There are a lot of hours outside the 40 minutes allocated per student for the AcAd sessions. (AcAd 5)
The following answers to Question D, ‘In what way does the role of the AcAd differ from the role of a teacher?’ also provided some interesting data:
As an AcAd you are devoted to the overall well-being and academic progress of your student. You care for them (LRbe) on a more broad [sic] level and are enthusiastic about their future (LRbe). As a teacher you are more concerned with their performance in your subject area and behaviour during your class time. Your interest in them is more short term and at times can feel quite procedural to fulfil the purpose of the curriculum. (AcAd 2)
We are each an independent (FDin), arm’s length ‘coach-mentor’ (LRst) with an objective start to our learning relationship with the students and their families. This is a huge benefit. Relationships become very strong (LRbe), but with a comfortable academic focus on ‘new ways’ to reflect, experiment, learn, etc. (AcAd 4)
Figure 4.16 illustrates the relative frequency with which the various coded dimensions appeared in the AcAd survey.
Figure 4.16 Relative frequency with which coded data relating to the learning relationship theme appeared in the AcAd survey
Qualitative data from the AcAd survey indicated that AcAds recognised the students as unique individuals with a life beyond school. They felt a sense of attachment
(belonging) to students and they acknowledged that their relationship was based on trust. These perceptions were also reflected in the student and parent data presented earlier in sections 2.4.6 and 3.4.6.
4.4.7 Learning Power: Fragility and Dependence
AcAds were invited to respond to Statement 5, which focused on students’ reliance on their classroom teachers. These data are provided in Table 4.36.
Table 4.36 Quantitative data from Statement 5 of the AcAd survey: ‘I believe the students are coming to understand that they do not need to rely exclusively on their classroom teachers in order to learn.’
Number of responses Mean score Strongly disagree Disagree Cannot say Agree Strongly agree 10 3.9 0% 10% 10% 60% 20%
The majority of AcAds agreed with this statement, but the overall mean score was less positive. It was reported in section 4.2.7 that the students indicated that they were also somewhat unsure whether they were becoming less dependent on their classroom
Sense of belonging 35% Recognising the value of the individual student 41% Sense of trust between student and AcAd 24%
teachers. It has previously been suggested that teacher dependency is a function of the disposition of the student’s teachers, but it is also a function of the school-based assessment system that prevailed at the time. A student may have been capable of greater independence from their teachers, but they may have made a strategic decision to maintain the people who wrote and marked their assessment tasks at the centre of their learning network.
AcAd 4 wrote a pertinent comment in answering Question E on the AcAd survey, which asked about common areas of weakness with regard to self-regulation:
Lack of awareness of learning possibilities (SAir), given the traditional thinking that the teacher and/or textbook resources provided by the school are the ‘font of all knowledge’ and the only tools needed for eventual success. Perhaps classroom teachers and parents encourage this perception? (AcAd 4)
Data from the student, parent/caregiver and AcAd surveys pertaining to changes in students’ level of self-regulation and learning power were analysed and triangulated in section 4.2.2. Mean quantitative responses to the suggestion that the program was leading to an improvement in the students’ level of self-regulation were 4.8 for AcAds, 4.5 for parents/caregivers and 4.28 for students. Once again, even though all groups, on average, were supportive of the suggestion, as a group the AcAds were more confident than the other two groups. This may also be due to the AcAds taking a longer and more general perspective than the other two groups of respondents.
The qualitative data from the AcAd survey facilitated an analysis of the components of fragility and dependence. AcAds placed slightly less emphasis on this dimension of the theme than students and parents/caregivers, who frequently noted the issue of anxiety/stress. Perhaps the discrepancy can be attributed to the fact that AcAds were focused more on the causes and solutions than the problem (effect). In identifying common areas of weakness with regard to students’ self-regulation (Question F on the AcAd survey), one AcAd wrote:
I believe a lack of organisation (TSos) (of time and tasks) is central to self- regulation. Anxiety (FDan), disappointing grades, feelings of being overwhelmed
(FDan) etc. can all be traced back to students not being organised enough, early enough. (AcAd 3)
AcAds recognised that students were suffering from anxiety, particularly in the lead-up to exams and assessments, but they took the view that improved skills – particularly organisational skills – and maturity would help to address the problem. Students and parents/caregivers also recognised that improvements in these areas had led to a reduction in anxiety/stress. The relative frequency with which these codes appeared in the AcAd survey data is shown in Figure 4.17.
Figure 4.17 Relative frequency with which coded comments relating to fragility and dependence appeared in the AcAd survey data
AcAds acknowledged that anxiety among students was a concern (52 per cent), but they believed this could be overcome through better organisation and time management. They also perceived that students were gradually exercising greater independence from their classroom teachers (48 per cent).
4.4.8 Learning Power: Strategic Awareness
Statement 15 on the AcAd survey was an extension on Statement 5. It focused on AcAds’ perceptions about students’ learning networks. Data from AcAd responses are detailed in Table 4.37.
Managing anxiety and stress 52% Student exercising
greater independence from teachers
Table 4.37 Quantitative data from Statement 5 in the AcAd survey; ‘I see evidence that students are expanding their learning network.’
Number of responses Mean score Strongly disagree Disagree Cannot say Agree Strongly agree 10 4.3 0% 0% 0% 70% 30%
AcAds believed students were expanding their learning networks, but only 30 per cent strongly agreed with the statement. Section 2.2.8 noted that students responded with some uncertainty to a statement suggesting that, as a result of their program, they were less dependent on their teachers. Nonetheless, there was evidence to suggest that some students were becoming more aware of their leaning environment and were developing learning networks that extended beyond the classroom.
Analyses of qualitative data also indicated that AcAds perceived many students were strategically reflecting on their approach, and were able to identify their own strengths and weaknesses:
Students who are invested in this program benefit greatly. By the end of this year, all of my students were able to articulate their strengths and ongoing weaknesses/areas of need (SAid). More importantly, they all had ideas for how they could continue to move forward (SAre). They were happy to discuss their learning journey and most were happy to talk about disappointments/failures (SRev) in terms of what they had learned about themselves; and how it will help