Biography
Role
As part of the primary team, Richard teaches both the Bachelor of Teaching Primary and the Graduate Diploma of Teaching Primary programmes. He is also involved in supervising research for Master’s students.
Education background
Richard began his teaching career as a secondary teacher of biology, science, and mathematics. He then became involved in the development and implementation of the new technology curriculum working as a school advisor. Following this, he worked for four years teaching and advising in the Cook Islands. For the last 20 years, he has been involved in initial teacher education in a range of institutions in New Zealand.
Research background
Richard has been involved in a broad range of research projects including exploring children’s learning in an interactive science centre, reviewing Education for Sustainability practice in New Zealand schools, student perceptions of e-learning, assessing collaborative learning in group technology projects, and exploring teacher education students’ views of technology. More recently, he has growing interest in researching the nature of mātauranga Māori in a bicultural curriculum and in what STEM education looks like in practice in New Zealand schools.
Teaching interests
Richard is fascinated by the phenomenon of learning. He is influenced by constructivist theory and socio-cultural perspective of learning. Richard enjoys supporting people to help them better understand their learners and provide them with the right guidance.
Recent publications
Edwards, F. C. E., & Edwards, R. J. (2017). A story of culture and teaching: The complexity of teacher identity formation. The Curriculum Journal, 28, 2: 190-211. doi:10.1080/09585176.2016.1232200
Edwards, R. (2015). E-portfolio environment design principles in practice: A case study of a collaborative project in technology teacher education. Australasian Journal of Technology Education, 2. http://dx.doi.org/10.15663/ajte.v2i1.32.
Cowie, B. M., Eames, C. W., Harlow, M. A., Bolstad, R. D., Barker, M. A., Keown, P. A., Edwards, R. J., Coll, R. K. (2003) An evaluation of environmental education in New Zealand Schools. Volume 3: A critical stocktake of the characteristics of effective practice in environmental education in New Zealand schools and kura kaupapa Maori. Ministry of Education, Wellington.
Porakari, J, Pita, S., and Edwards, R. (2011) Taking ownership: the story of a successful partnership for change in a Pacific Island science teacher education setting. Waikato Journal of Education. 16(2), 57-69.