Abstract
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
Through observing my grade eight learners I noticed that most of them found the transition from primary to high school difficult as they appeared to struggle to manage their time effectively towards completing and submitting quality class assignments. Houck is one of many researchers to present setting and attaining personal and academic goals as a positive coping method in high-stress situations. The purpose of this inquiry was to analyse and understand how grade eight learners' organize their conversation and what they converse about on their experiences in utilizing goal-setting strategies towards better time-management and self determination in completing a class assignment. This inquiry utilized an ethnomethodological Design whereby both Content Analysis and Conversation Analysis were my mode of analysis. Through the qualitative Content Analysis I was able to identify ten categories or themes that explained the experiences these grade
eight learners had in utilizing goal-setting strategies towards better time management
and self-determination in completing a class assignment. The Conversation Analysis of the video recorded conversation of a small group of six grade eight learners was analysed on four levels. On the experience of completing an assignment utilizing goal-setting strategies the inquiry found that, the participants demonstrated an understanding of the benefits of goal-setting (planning, prioritizing and meeting deadlines) within the school learning context. As expected, goal-setting
has made a positive difference in the attitude of these participants towards
themselves, their abilities and their school work. Additionally, through this conversation participant voices and perspectives were honored as they refined ideas and judged whether there was anything of merit offered by their fellow participants. It is recommended that teachers and therapists working with grade eight learners converse with learners within the classroom on how to approach their different learning areas' workload utilizing goal-setting strategies in order to achieve the learning outcomes successfully.