|
Research Interests
Developmental psychology, in particular acquisition of written language; issues of pedagogy and assessment in writing; teacher knowledge; ICT in learning; literacy and technology.
Qualifications
BA, MA (Hons), Dip Tchng (Distinction) (Auckland), BSc Honours, PhD in Psychology (ANU)
Biography
An experienced teacher at both school and tertiary sector level in Australia and New Zealand; returned to Auckland in 1990 and joined the School of Education at the University of Auckland. Research and teaching interests are broadly in developmental or educational psychology and particularly concern literacy with an emphasis on writing and the interface between literacy and technology. Recent articles appear in Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, Language Arts, Reading Teacher, Leadership and Policy in Schools and the Journal of Educational Change. Co-author of book Using evidence in teaching practice (2004). Externally funded research projects completed in the last few years with involvement as principal researcher include: a review of computer assisted instruction in literacy and numeracy; effective practice in use of readymade literacy materials in classrooms; assessment tools for teaching and learning in writing (asTTle), evaluation of Digital Opportunities FarNet project, and evaluation of the national Literacy Leadership initiative. Current research includes that within the national Literacy Professional Development Project; the Laptops for Teachers initiative; a TLRI funded project to produce an observation guide to facilitate peer feedback in literacy classrooms; a reading-writing links study, and a study of effective practice in teaching writing. An active research supervisor and mentor; since 2000 have had eight doctoral graduates and 17 masters theses completed.
Publications
- PARR, J.M., & WARD, L.5 ‘Building on foundations: Creating an online community’. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 14 (4), 775-793, 2006.
- WARD, L.5, & PARR, J.M. ‘Authority, volunteerism and sustainability: Teacher leadership in an online world’. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 5, 109-129, 2006.
- PARR, J.M., & MAGUINESS, C.5 ‘Removing the silent from SSR: Voluntary reading as social practice’. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 49 (2), 98-107, 2005.
- PARR, J.M., & WARD, L. 5. ‘Creating on-line professional learning communities: A case of cart before horses’. In K.W. Lai (Ed). E-Learning communities: Teaching and learning with the web (pp. 124-134). Dunedin: University of Otago Press, 2005.
- TIMPERLEY, H., & PARR, J.M. ‘Theory competition and the process of change’. Journal of Educational Change, 6, 227-251, 2005.
- WARD, L.5, ROBINSON, V.M.J., & PARR, J.M. ‘Getting ICT into Classrooms: The case for broader swamps in the future’. Computers in New Zealand Schools, 17 (2), 23-29, 2005.
Doctoral Graduate Students 2003 ~ 6
- 2006. Irene Fung PhD in Education. Developing reasoning skills in primary aged children. Co-supervisor Assoc-Prof Mike Townsend.
- 2006. Lorrae Ward PhD in Education. Putting policy into practice: Pedagogical reform through ICT. Co-supervisor Prof Viviane Robinson.
- 2006. Claire Sinnema EdD: Teacher appraisal: Is inquiry into student learning emphasised and promoted or obscured and prevented? Co-supervisor Prof Viviane Robinson.
- 2005. Margaret Kempton PhD in Education. The co-construction of literacy in a secondary setting. Co-supervisor Prof Stuart McNaughton
- 2004. John Raven PhD in Education: Collective mediation: A neo-Vygotskian perspective of undergraduate interdisciplinary group projects. Co-supervisor Prof. Stuart McNaughton
- 2003. Joni Chao: PhD in Education: From contrastive rhetoric to second language writing: A study on difficulties of English writing by Taiwanese students. Co-supervisor Assoc. Prof. Mike Townsend
- 2003. Carol Griffiths: PhD in Education: Language learning strategy use and proficiency. Sole supervisor.
