This report provides a comprehensive overview of the organization’s achievements, challenges, and future aspirations. The report highlights the significant impact of Open Polytechnic on the New Zealand education landscape. It showcases the organization’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable education, particularly for individuals seeking career change or upskilling.
Open Polytechnic Research Development Leader, Dr Amanda Cossham says, “research plays a crucial role in degree programme delivery.” “The research carried out by kaimahi helps to inform course development, programme development and kaimahi knowledge, and therefore benefits our ākonga (learners).” “This report show-cases our researchers, some of whom have international reputations, and many of whom collaborate internationally, and sets the organisation’s research outputs, and contributions to the research environment, in context. The report illustrates the strong pool of research excellence we have at Open Polytechnic.” Open Polytechnic Acting Executive Director Learning Delivery, Andrew McCulloch says, “Our 2023 Annual Research Report showcases the increase in research activity and the ongoing development of our research culture. The demonstrable impact of our research projects on ākonga and the communities we serve is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our kaimahi.”
Open Polytechnic Principal Academic Staff Member, Dr Melissa McMinn, profiled in the report, says “A lot of my research investigates things that affect learning, so is directly related to my role as Degree Leader of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) at Open Polytechnic.” “I have been able to use my research in the development of our new suite of ITE programmes. I have looked at the impact of the learning environment on ākonga, how perceptions about curriculum areas (subjects) affect motivation to learn, and what inspires people to become kaiako (teachers).” “As part of my research, I work with ākonga at school, and both in-service, and pre-service kaiako, which allows me to stay connected with our profession, and this is a particular highlight for me.”
He explains that the project involved a team of researchers from different disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and social sciences. This interdisciplinary approach allowed them to leverage the strengths of each discipline and address the complex challenges of the project. Dr. Cossham further elaborates on the interdisciplinary approach by highlighting the benefits of combining different perspectives.
Open Polytechnic, Regional Academic Staff Member, Dr Kerry Purdue says, “Although a considerable body of research is now available on creating culturally responsive and inclusive environments for diverse tamariki, families and whānau in early childhood education, the same cannot be said of diverse kaiako in the sector.” “To carry out their responsibilities well, all early childhood kaiako need to feel valued and to work in environments where the work cultures, relationships, policies and practices enable them to make a positive difference in children’s lives.” “It is highly important that the ECE sector attracts and holds on to good kaiako, and therefore, this research helps by investigating and addressing job discrimination, workplace inequities and teacher wellbeing in the sector.
“Through this research we have gained further insights into, and understandings of, the barriers and facilitators of inclusion and equity for diverse early childhood kaiako.” Dr Cossham says the volume of outputs from individual researchers and the extent of kaimahi contributions to the research environment are only really visible in a report such as this. There were 51 quality assured outputs (peer-reviewed) in 2023, including 27 journal articles, two theses, two books, and 10 book chapters, and 110 unique outputs. Read the annual Research Report 2023 on the Open Polytechnic website here: https://www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz/about-us/news-publications-and-research/academic-research/ © Scoop Media
