Single-minded success - Settlement Support

EDUCATION
■ Story by the
Ministry of Education
34 LINKZ | ISSUE 48 | 2011
TOWARDS A LEARNING SOCIETY
The New Zealand study environment
The style of teaching and learning in New Zealand may be quite
different from what you are familiar with.
The biggest difference is that New Zealand has
an independent learning environment. You are
expected to take full responsibility for ensuring
you attend classes, keep up with your studies, do
your homework, and complete course requirements.
At first the amount of work required and the level
of responsibility may be overwhelming. It is important
that you organise yourself well and give yourself
time to adapt to the new learning environment.
Although it is an independent learning environment,
you are still encouraged to ask questions
and to seek help from your teachers and lecturers.
If you need assistance, it is important not to shy
away from seeking support or clarification from
your tutors or lecturers. It is also perfectly fine to
study in groups, as long as the independent work
that you submit for assessment is your own.
Teachers and lecturers want to ensure that you
understand what you are writing and that you can
apply the knowledge you have learned. Plagiarism
(copying other people’s answers or copying from a
textbook without referencing your source) is unacceptable
in New Zealand and is treated very seriously
by schools and tertiary institutes.
In New Zealand classes and tutorials, students
are expected to participate in their learning. You
may be expected to ask and answer questions
about the course material and contribute ideas
to discussions.
Teachers and lecturers don’t ask many “right/
wrong” or “yes/no” questions. The focus is more