This research examined the impact of story sharing and reflective dialogue on mathematics teachers’ professional learning in Fiji. Employing a qualitative research methodology, semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from nine Fijian secondary school mathematics teachers. The study established that: 1) teachers improve their instructional practice when they share stories of classroom experiences of teaching with their colleagues and collectively reflect on those stories; 2) the truth of stories is that those that are concrete and willingly shared are powerful in transferring rich knowledge; and 3) when teachers share their stories with their colleagues and engage in reflective dialogue, it provides rich conversations that enhances teachers’ professional growth. Understanding the impact of story sharing and reflective dialogue could provide policy makers and administrators with valuable insights into how to best accommodate into educational policy to enhance teachers’ professional growth.
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This research examined the impact of school location on teaching and learning through a case study of two urban, two rural and two remote Fijian secondary schools. A total of 48 semi-structured interviews were conducted: 16 from each category of urban, rural and remote. Each school was represented by three teachers, three heads of department and two administrators. The study established that rural and remote schools often face different challenges to their urban counterparts: geography, poverty and funding influence the quality of education. Leadership support and adequate resources are the key to breaking the overreliance on traditional methods of teaching and enhancing student classroom interest and participation. Finally, just as schools serve different communities, geographical location impacts on external links, cooperation and professional exchange and development. Understanding the impact of school locality on teaching and learning in Fiji should benefit other developing nations and the educational community at large.
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