Key Findings

Findings on an appreciative pedagogy

• Appreciative pedagogy was found to be a key factor that lead to success for Pacific students in tertiary settings.
• It included family support in education, having a personal commitment to success and having access to a learning village experience.
• For example, the research found families who provided a constant and meaningful level of support to Pacific students made a positive difference to academic success.
• It found being driven to succeed came from personal goals and also from the external motivation of Pacific determination for a better life.
• It also found a learning village experience was the same as having access to a safe, culturally strengthening place that appreciated the range of Pacific ethnicities.

Findings on teaching and learning relationships

• Teaching and learning relationships built on solid foundations of shared values were found by the research to be important.
• This included respectful and nurturing relationships with students and other key factors such as the recognition of cultural identity, values and aspirations, the insistence on high standards and giving students opportunities to pursue higher education.

Findings on institutional commitment

• The research found institutional support for Pacific students varied, but where it was evident, it demonstrated commitment and responsibility towards Pacific students, their families and the wider community.
• The research also found the level of support received by Pacific students impacted on the extent to which they enjoyed their course of study and valued their programme.
• Institutions with active institutional engagement with the Pacific community, who showed strong and supportive leadership and who drew on Pacific role models were more likely to help Pacific students succeed.

Key Recommendations

Apply appreciative pedagogy | Use it to build confident learners who are more likely to succeed in education. Recognise and encourage the strengths in students. Show an interest and incorporate these strengths into learning and teaching. Understand the enabling factors for Pacific students related to their cultures, family context and background, personal values and church experiences. Start with what works well in Pacific learners’ lives and build from that point.

Focus on strong relationships | Learn from what students and staff recommend for Pacific learners. For example, show high expectations, using formative feedback on assignments and in informal conversations after class. Connect teaching and learning by asking a reflective question: Is my teaching practice connecting the learner? Motivate and get to know students. Enable them to easily work together in groups. Cater to learning needs. Provide a comfortable and interactive environment. Be passionate, committed and creative. Incorporate Pacific culture, identity and language in the classroom.

Show commitment at the institutional level | Know the skills and knowledge of your learners and understand their context. Use this to develop policies and programmes that target the needs of the students. See institutional commitment towards Pacific success as part of your overall commitment to engaging Pacific families and communities.