Page 1
i TEACHER PERCEPTIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF CHALLENGING STUDENT BEHAVIOURS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS BY MANPREET DHALIWAL A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Education Unitec Institute of Technology 2013
Page 2
ii Teacher perceptions and management of challenging student behaviours in primary school classrooms ABSTRACT This study aimed at investigating Teacher perceptions and management of challenging student behaviours in classrooms and what support is available to the teachers to manage students with challenging behaviours. Managing challenging behaviour in a classroom setting is a problem faced by many teachers. The literature review indicated that teachers who show a genuine interest in students and what they learn and do are more likely to build strong positive relationships with their students and as a result are better able to manage challenging behaviours in their classrooms. The literature review also indicated that it is important, that teachers recognise their perceptions of challenging behaviour and reflect on their own personal beliefs and the beliefs of others regarding the understanding of challenging behaviours. The study is a small-scale educational research project that was qualitative in nature. The qualitative nature of this research allowed for the exploration of the eight teacher participants’ experiences shared during the semi-structured interviews regarding challenging behaviours and what the issues are in managing these behaviours. The outcomes of this study confirm findings in literature by demonstrating that a close, positive and supportive relationship between teacher and students is essential for developing a mutual relationship of respect and for managing challenging behaviours successfully. Findings indicate that teachers need to discuss with colleagues their current perceptions and attitudes towards working with those students who present challenges and investigate ways of working positively with these students. School management and teachers need to work collaboratively in order to minimise the occurrence of and impact of challenging behaviours in classrooms. Findings also indicated some issues raised by teachers that were not viewed in the literature reviewed. For example issues facing teachers due to occurrence of challenging student behaviour.
Page 3
iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis would not have been completed without the support of some very special people. Their interest and support have been so valued. I would first and foremost like to thank my principal supervisor Professor Carol Cardno for her encouragement, expert and timely feedback throughout the journey. Because of this, I am a better writer than I was when I began to write my thesis. I would also like to thank my associate supervisor Angel Chan who provided feedback, guidance and advice on my writing. I would like to acknowledge the principals of schools who granted me the permission to carry out my research interviews with teachers in their school. I would especially like to thank the eight teachers (the interviewees) who gave up their precious time after school hours to share their experiences and opinions. I thank them for the honest and rich accounts of their experiences. Without your participation and input, this thesis wouldn’t have been completed. Throughout this study I have been privileged to have had the support and encouragement of my wonderful family, my husband Sammy, my in laws Parminder and Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Harjit Singh Dhaliwal and my sons Zameer and Nirbhay. They understood when I had to write late into the night and encouraged me when things were difficult. My dog Sheeba always sat by me while I worked late in the night. I am deeply indebted to my mother-in-law who supported me through all these years of my study unconditionally. I also value my husband Sammy’s support throughout my journey. To my wider family and friends who cared enough to ask how things were going, my thanks for your on-going interest and support. Finally this thesis is dedicated to and in memory of my Father, Late Lieutenant Colonel Avatar Singh Aujla, who was my true inspiration and guiding light. He always encouraged me to pursue higher studies. He was a true believer in building one’s bank of knowledge and growing professionally. This is to you Papa!
Page 4
iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………..i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………………….ii TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………….iii LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………………………………...iv LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………………….v CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….1 Background Information……………………………………………………………………1 Rationale……………………………………………………………………………………..2 Research Aims, Questions and Setting…………………………………………………...5 Thesis Organisation………………………………………………………………………………….6 CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………..9 Part One: Understanding challenging behaviours and teacher perceptions………….9 Part Two: Limitations in defining behaviour …………………………………………….12 Part Three: Challenging behaviours in context…………………………………………15 Part Four: Teacher perceptions regarding challenging behaviours…………………..22 Part Five: Role of the teacher and effective strategies in promoting teaching and managing student behaviour……………………………………………………………...27 Part Six: Issues, importance of teacher student relationships and its effect on behaviour……………………………………………………………………………………28 Part Seven: Diversity in learning preferences…………………………………………..39
Page 5
v Part Eight: The role of school in supporting teachers to manage student challenging behaviours………………………………………………………………………………...40 Summary………………………………………………………………………………..46-47 CHAPTER THREE METHODLOGY AND METHODS Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………48 Methodology………………………………………………………………………………..48 Rationale for choosing qualitative approach…………………………………………….49 Research Method…………………………………………………………………………..................51 Sampling…………………………………………………………………………………….57 Analysis of Interview Data………………………………………………………………...59 Validity and Reliability……………………………………………………………………..62 Ethical Considerations…………………………………………………………………….64 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….65 CHAPTER FOUR FINDINGS AND RESULTS Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………66 Part One: Perceptions and issues related to challenging behaviours…. ……………66 Part Two: Teacher perceptions of challenging behaviours……………………………68 Part Three: Issues that affect student behaviours at school…………………………..72 Part Four: Issues facing teachers of students with challenging behaviours…………74 Part Five: Strategies for managing challenging behaviours…………………………..77 Part Six: School support for managing challenging behaviour……………………….80 Summary of key findings………………………………………………………………….82
Page 6
vi CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………85 Part One: Teacher perceptions and challenging behaviour …………………………..86 Part Two: Strategies ………………………………………………………………………91 Part Three: School ………………………………………………………………………..96 Summary …………………………………………………………………………………...99 CHAPTER SIX CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………….101 Summary of findings …………………………………………………………………….101 Recommendations……………………………………………………………………….103 Implications for Schools…………………………………………………………………105 Concluding Comments…………………………………………………………………..106 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………107-112 APPENDICES Appendix A- Interview questions for participants ……………………………………113. Appendix B- Information sheet…………………………………………………………114 Appendix C- Consent form: Teacher participants………………………………… …115 Appendix D- Table of Findings …………………………………………………………116
Page 7
1 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION In this chapter, I will begin by providing a little bit of background information about myself followed by explaining how I became curious about the phenomenon of teacher perceptions regarding challenging student behaviours. Then this chapter will discuss my rationale and impetus for wanting to undertake this piece of small-scale educational research. Background information I have been a qualified primary school teacher for seven years. My research began last year in August 2012. Presently I teach a year two class of 23 students in an east Auckland primary school in Pakuranga. Even as my topic and rationale were developing I decided early on that I wanted my research to be from the teacher perspectives. There were two main reasons for this. Firstly, most of the writing about challenging behaviours stresses on how teachers can effectively manage challenging student behaviour. Secondly, from personal experience of being a practicing classroom teacher it seems that the onus o