Having sat through many boring lectures I realised how ineffective they were as a teaching tool.

         While teaching at the University of the South Pacific I decided to try something different. I put my students into teams based on their country of origin. I reasoned their history has been one of great competition, from wars to sporting history.

         I asked questions. The teams discussed the topic and came up with their answers. I summarised their comments and gave them a handout of my views.

         It was a stimulating way to teach. It was very popular with the students and we all learned much. Sessions were for discussions, thinking, reasoning, and reporting.

         Here is a summary of some of the thoughts of students, from a dozen Pacific countries.

         We had some interesting discussions including comparing the ‘Pacific way’ of doing things with the ‘palagi way'( a palagi or palagi, is a white person. The term is useful for frightening small children. “If you don’t stop crying the palagi will get you.”)

         The students saw themselves as a more friendly; caring and friendly society where religious tradition and feasting are important.

         They thought palagis were selfish, independent, money-oriented, unreligious (their term), and far too serious. “Palagis think time is important, they worry too much and forever want to change things.”

         Perhaps to a degree they are right. We can learn from these Pacific Island people. They have a lot to teach us with their sharing and caring, families supporting each other, and the way they look after their elderly people.

Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“A good listener is not only popular but learns much.”