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Dr Amanda Denston

Contact

Department: Faculty of Education ; School of Teacher Education ; Centre for Professional Practice and Partnerships

Phone Number: +64 3 369 3999 ext. null

Office: Rehua Level 3

Language: English

My research aim is to further understand the role of psychosocial development in children, especially in relation to literacy development.
About
Research / Creative works
Supervision
Networks
Projects
Methods & Equipment

Fields of Research

  • Children with literacy learning difficulties
  • Psychosocial development (self-esteem, self-concept, self-efficacy, resilience)
  • Early literacy development
  • Socio-emotional well-being and learning
  • Metalinguistic awareness (Phonological, Orthographic, Morphological)

Researcher Summary

I am interested in children with literacy learning difficulties across childhood. This includes psychosocial development (and links to well-being)and literacy development. I am also interested in the development of early literacy skills in children and factors that may influence this.

Subject Area: Disciplines

  • Education: Bilingual and Immersion Education; Childhood Development; Early Childhood; Education; Literacy Education; Teacher Education

Research/Scholarly/Creative Works

  • Bennett H., Denston A. and Arrow A. (2023) The effectiveness of a parent-implemented, phonological awareness programme on the phonological awareness skills of preschool children. Australian Journal of Language and Literacy http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s44020-023-00034-6. (Journal Articles)
  • Denston A. and Arrow A. (2023) Transition and continuity in school literacy development. Educational Review 75(3): 593-595. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2022.2109329. (Journal Articles)
  • Denston A., Martin R., Fickel LH. and O'Toole V. (2023) Re- engaging a culturally and linguistically holistic approach to education in Aotearoa New Zealand: How teachers’ noticing fosters children’s socio- emotional development. Wellbeing: Global Policies and Perspectives: Insights from Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond: 101-122. (Chapters)
  • Arrow A., Neville A., Denston A. and Nicholson T. (2022) Investigating the number and type of literacy assessments and interventions in Aotearoa New Zealand primary schools. Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties 27(2): 185-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19404158.2022.2064522. (Journal Articles)
  • Denston A., Martin R., Fickel L. and O'Toole V. (2022) Strengthening Socio-Emotional Learning in Aotearoa New Zealand: Teacher and Whānau Understandings of Wellbeing. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40841-022-00261-4. (Journal Articles)
  • Denston A., Martin R., Fickel L. and O'Toole V. (2022) Teachers’ perspectives of social-emotional learning: Informing the development of a linguistically and culturally responsive framework for social-emotional wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Teaching and Teacher Education 117 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103813. (Journal Articles)
  • Denston A., Martin R., Taite-Pitama M., Green A., Gough R. and Gillon G. (2022) Teacher experiences and perceptions related to developing a culturally and linguistically responsive emergent bilingual literacy program in Aotearoa New Zealand: A collaborative case study. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education 51(2) http://dx.doi.org/10.55146/ajie.v51i2.17. (Journal Articles)
  • Everatt J. and Denston A. (2022) Response by Everatt and Denston. European Journal of Special Needs Education 37(4): 711-713. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2021.1960016. (Journal Articles)
  • Everatt J., Arrow A., Denston A. and Sleeman M. (2022) Dyslexia in aotearoa New Zealand: An issue both old and new. The Routledge International Handbook of Dyslexia in Education: 228-237. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003162520-29. (Chapters)
  • Sleeman M., Everatt J., Arrow A. and Denston A. (2022) Evaluation of the “Three Steps in Screening for Dyslexia” Assessment Protocol Designed for New Zealand Teachers. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies 57(2): 465-482. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40841-022-00254-3. (Journal Articles)
  • Sleeman M., Everatt J., Arrow A. and Denston A. (2022) The identification and classification of struggling readers based on the simple view of reading. Dyslexia: an international journal of research and practice Early View: 1-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dys.1719. (Journal Articles)
  • Martin R., Denston A., Fickel L. and O'Toole V. (2021) Understanding how teachers perceive socio-emotional wellbeing: Contributing to the development of a linguistically and culturally responsive SEW framework in Aotearoa New Zealand. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand: 13th Educational Psychology Forum, 1-2 Feb 2021. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Gillon G., McNeill B., Denston A., Scott A. and Macfarlane A. (2020) Evidence-Based Class Literacy Instruction for Children with Speech and Language Difficulties. Topics in Language Disorders 40(4): 357-374. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/TLD.0000000000000233. (Journal Articles)
  • Denston A. and Everatt J. (2019) Interventions targeting literacy and well-being in New Zealand and Kuwaiti students.. Goa, India: 3rd International Conference of the Association for Reading and Writing in Asia (ARWA), 28 Feb 2019. (Oral Presentations)
  • Denston A., Everatt J. and Taleni T. (2019) Self-esteem, self-efficacy, and resilience in children with literacy learning difficulties in English. Jyväskylä, Finland: 7th International Workshop on Advanced Learning Sciences (IWALS), 17 Jun 2019. (Oral Presentations)
  • Denston A., Everatt J. and Taleni T. (2019) Targeting literacy and self-concept in New Zealand students with low levels of literacy acquisition. Toronto, Canada: 26th International Conference of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading, 19 Jul 2019. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Gillon G., McNeill B., Scott A., Denston A., Carson K. and Macfarlane A. (2019) Word reading and spelling development in children who enter school with known challenges to their literacy learning. Taipei, Taiwan: 31st World Congress of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics,, 18 Aug-22 Oct 2019. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Gillon G., McNeill BC., Scott A., Denston A., Wilson L., Carson K. and Macfarlane A. (2019) A better start to literacy learning: findings from a teacher-implemented intervention in children’s first year at school. Reading and Writing http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11145-018-9933-7. (Journal Articles)
  • Martin R., Fickel L., O'Toole V. and Denston A. (2019) Co-constructing a framework for socio-emotional well-being in children in Years 5 to 9: A Te Tiriti based Ako approach. University of Canterbury, Christchurch: New Zealand Association for Research in Education, 17-20 Nov 2019. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • O'Toole V., Martin R., Fickel L. and Denston A. (2019) Co-constructing a culturally and linguistically sustaining, Te Tiriti –based Ako framework for socio-emotional wellbeing in education: A collaborative project among teachers, whanau, hapū and iwi, to enable a holistic approach to education.. Chicago Illinois: Collaborative for Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) 2019 Conference, 2-4 Oct 2019. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • O'Toole VM., Martin R., Fickel L. and Denston A. (2019) Co-Constructing a culturally and linguistically sustaining, Te Tiriti-based Ako framework for socio-emotional wellbeing in education. University of Canterbury: Child Well-being Research Symposium Programme, 6-7 Jun 2019. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Denston A. (2018) The influence of a general literacy intervention on the psychosocial development of students with literacy learning difficulties. Asia Pacific Journal of Developmental Differences 5(1): 97-116. http://dx.doi.org/10.3850/S2345734118000074. (Journal Articles)
  • Denston A., Everatt J., Parkhill F. and Marriott C. (2018) Morphology: Is it a means by which teachers can foster literacy development in older primary students with literacy learning difficulties? Australian Journal of Language and Literacy 41(2): 94-102. (Journal Articles)
  • Everatt J. and Denston A. (2018) Literacy learning intervention, the development of self-concept and resilient self-efficacy. In McLean B (Ed.), The Australian Dyslexia Learning Difference Handbook 2018/19: 35-45. Erina NSW: The Learning Difference Convention. (Chapters)
  • Denston AJ. and Everatt JM. (2017) Dyslexia: What does the research say? Christchurch, New Zealand: Specialist Teaching Programme Block Course, 05 Jul 2017. (Oral Presentations)
  • Denston AJ. and Everatt JM. (2017) Relationship between early language and literacy skills and academic self-esteem and self-efficacy. Christchurch, New Zealand: Literacy and Learning Symposium, 26-27 Oct 2017. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Everatt J., Parkhill F., Marriott C. and Denston AJ. (2017) Morphology: Is it a means by which teachers can foster literacy development in older primary students with literacy learning difficulties? Australian Journal of Language and Literacy. (Journal Articles)
  • Gillon G., McNeill B., Scott ABF., Denston A., Carson K. and Macfarlane AH. (2017) Accelerating early literacy success in Year 1 children who have lower levels of phonological awareness and oral language ability. Christchurch, New Zealand: Literacy and Learning Symposium, 26-27 Oct 2017. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • McNeill B., Gillon G., Scott ABF. and Denston A. (2017) Literacy development in children with speech and language difficulties. Christchurch, New Zealand: Literacy and Learning Symposium, 26-27 Oct 2017. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Denston AJ. (2016) Fostering the literacy development of our SLD/Literacy challenged students. A metalinguistic approach. Timaru, New Zealand: Learning for You, South Canterbury, Professional Development Workshop, 27 Aug 2016. (Oral Presentations)
  • Denston AJ. (2016) Self-esteem and Resilience in Students with Literacy Learning Difficulties within an Educational Context. PhD Thesis, Christchurch, New Zealand. University of Canterbury. (Theses / Dissertations)
  • Denston AJ. (2016) What are metalinguistic skills? What are their importance in literacy development and remediation? Palmerston North, New Zealand: Learning Disabilities Association of New Zealand, 9-10 Jul 2016. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Denston AJ., Everatt JM., Parkhill F. and Marriott C. (2016) The effectiveness of literacy interventions on the psychosocial development of students with literacy learning difficulties. Oxford, UK: British Dyslexia Association 10th International Conference, 10-12 Mar 2016. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Denston AJ. and van Hasselt C. (2015) The development of literacy skills in students with Specific Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia & Dysgraphia). Dunedin, New Zealand: ACHIEVE (Post-secondary Education Disability Network), Professional Development, 10-11 Nov 2015. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Denston AJ., Everatt J., Parkhill F. and Marriott C. (2015) 'mprovements in psycho-social factors following a reading intervention for children with literacy learning difficulties. Big Island, HI, USA: 22nd Annual Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR), 15-18 Jul 2015. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Denston AJ., Everatt J., Parkhill F. and Marriott C. (2014) Effectiveness of an intervention for children with literacy learning problems. Improvements in literacy, self-esteem, and resilience. Christchurch, New Zealand: School of Teacher Education Research Symposium, 6-7 Mar 2014. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Denston AJ. and Everatt JM. (2013) Self-esteem and resilience in children with literacy learning difficulties within an educational context.. Christchurch, New Zealand: University of Canterbury Māori Postgraduate Symposium, 22-23 Aug 2013. (Conference Contributions - Other)

Student Supervision

Displaying all items.
    Current
  • PhD - Cheng F: A shared reading programme for young Chinese heritage language learners: Its effectiveness on learning motivation and Chinese literacty
  • PhD - Sleeman M: The Identification and Classification of Reading Disorders Based on the Simple View of Reading.
  • Masters - Adams R: Investigating psychosocial changes in children with low literacy after targeted literacy intervention.
  • Masters - Bennett H: Investigating the effectiveness of a phonological awareness and vocabulary programme on 4-year-old children (2020)
  • Masters - Crisp K: Literacy and behaviour in 6 year old children
  • Completed
  • PhD - Rasheed MMH: Breaking the silence: Experimenting with creative approaches to ESL classrooms in a rural Bangladesh context. (2017)

Review and Refereeing

Displaying all items.
    Journal reviewing / refereeing
  • Asia Pacific Journal of Developmental Differences ( 2018 - 2019)
  • Journal of Research in Reading ( 2019 )

Affiliations

  • The Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR) (Professional Organisation): Member, USA

Research Projects

  • Co-constructing a culturally and linguistically sustaining, Te Tiriti -based Ako framework for socio-emotional wellbeing in education: A Teaching & Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) Funded Project

Future Research

  • Associations between psychosocial and literacy development
  • Change in psychosocial development in young children involved in a classwide early literacy programme
  • The development of phonological awareness and vocabulary within a bilingual learning context

Key Methodologies

  • Intervention Studies
  • Participatory Action Research
  • Mixed Methodology
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