Margaret Plunkett

Position: Adjunct Associate Professor
Study Area: Education
Location: Gippsland Campus
Email: margaret.plunkett@federation.edu.au

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy - Monash University - 2006
• Master of Education - Monash University - 2000
• Graduate Diploma of Education (Prof Develop Studies) - Monash University - 1995
• Diploma in Education- Monash University - 1979
• Bachelor of Economics - Monash University -1978

Biography

Margaret Plunkett is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Education. Since joining Federation University in 2014, Margaret held various roles including Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) for the Faculty of Education and Arts from 2014-2017 and Higher Degree Research Coordinator for the School of Education from 2018-2020.  Her main area of interest is the field of gifted education with a particular focus on provisioning for highly able rural students. Gifted education has also been a focus of Margaret's research, along with teacher education, and alternative educational settings. Margaret has won a number of awards for teaching excellence including the Monash Vice Chancellors Teaching Excellence Award (Special Commendation, 2010); the Pearson/ATEA Teacher Educator of the Year Award (2012); and a National Office of Learning & Teaching (OLT) Citation in 2014.

Areas of expertise

• Gifted education
• Rural education
• Alternative educational settings
• Teacher mentoring and professional development

Research Interests

• Gifted and talented education, particularly in rural contexts
• Alternative educational settings
• Teacher education in general

Supervision

Current doctoral students

Heather Ernst (PhD). Exploring the Development of Thinking in Senior Secondary Mathematics: A Focus on Probability. Principal Supervisor with P. Sellings (Associate).

Wendy Holcombe (PhD). Reframing Inclusion through the lens of Educational Permaculture. Associate Supervisor with A. Fletcher (Principal).

Anjali Rana (PhD). Preparing future teachers to teach sexuality education: A comparative study of Australia and India. Associate Supervisor with C. Glowrey (Principal) and R. Daniel (Associate).

Completed supervision

Boli Li (FedUni PhD, 2021).  Perceptions of Chinese international students and their lecturers regarding learning strategies in Australian universities. Principal supervisor with J. Burke (Associate)

Amy Darby Walker (FedUni PhD 2020). A Case study of Teacher roles in engaging with student Aspirations. Associate Supervisor with J. Burke (Principal)

Nhi Leong (FedUni PhD 2020). Internationalisation of Higher Education Curriculum: A case study in Vietnam. Principal Supervisor with J. Burke (Associate)

Sue Joyce (FedUni PhD 2018). Investigating the impact of participation in alternative education from a positive psychological perspective: A case study of the School for Student Leadership. Principal Supervisor with C. Glowrey (Associate)

Brad Shaw (Monash PhD 2017) – Reframing Technical Vocational Education in Papua New Guinea: An Autoethnographic Investigation into the Commercialisation of a Mining Town Technical College. Joint supervisor with M. Dyson.

Alghamdi, A. (Monash PhD 2017). Perceptions of Saudi male and female postgraduate students regarding the impact of social networking sites and apps on their academic life and social capital: A study of Umm Al-Qura University – Makkah. Joint Supervisor (with M. Dyson)

Aktaruzzman, M. (Monash PhD 2016). Investigating Distance Education Systems in Developing and Developed Countries to Inform Policies and Practices for Bangladesh. Principal supervisor (with M. Dyson).

Antoun, M. (Monash PhD 2015). Developing a framework for gifted education in Lebanon. Joint supervisor (with L. Kronborg).

Daniel, R. (Monash PhD 2015). India and the English Language: A Combined Synoptic /Case Study Approach to the Cultural and Linguistic Contexts for English as the World's Lingua Franca. Joint supervisor (with T. Taylor).

Holcombe, W. (Monash MEd 2015). Temperament Type: Bridges and Barriers in the Education of High-Functioning Students with ASD in Mainstream Schools. Principal supervisor with M. Dyson (Associate).

Sellings, P. (Monash PhD 2013). A study of the effects of student generated representations on student engagement and learning. Associate supervisor with B. Waldrip (Main).

Shiels, M. (Monash MEd 2012). Assessment: The Movie. The Alignment of Assessment with 21st Century Classroom Teaching and Learning Practices. Principal supervisor with M. Osborn (Associate).

Sahingoz, S. (Monash MEd 2011). Achievement and attitudes towards school and learning in a culturally diverse secondary educational setting: The student perspective. Joint supervisor (with L. Kronborg).

Theodore, C. (Monash PhD 2010). Program of Study: In what ways and by what means does a regional leadership program contribute to the social capital of a region? A case study of Gippsland. Joint supervisor (with L. Cairns).

Publications

Books

Dyson, M., Plunkett, M., & McCluskey, K. (2018). Success in Professional Experience: Building Relationships in Educational Settings, Second Edition. UK: Cambridge University Press.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2018). Surviving, Reviving and Thriving in Adolescence: Research and Narratives from the School for Student Leadership. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore Pty Ltd. ISBN: 978-981-10-5731-1.

Dyson, M., Plunkett, M., & McCluskey, K. (2015). Success in Professional Experience. UK; Cambridge University Press.

Plunkett, M. (2009). Tales from the Pond: Student Perceptions of Ability Grouped and Mainstream Learning Environments. Germany: VDM Verlag

Book chapters

Plunkett, M., & Kronborg, L. (2021). Teaching gifted education to pre-service teachers:

Lessons learned. In S. R. Smith (Ed.), International Handbook of Giftedness and Talent Development in the Asia-Pacific (pp. 1-22). Springer International Handbooks of Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3021-6_67-1

Plunkett, M., & Dyson, M. (2019). ‘Broadening horizons’: Raising youth aspirations through a Gippsland school/industry/university partnership, in M. Green, S. Plowright, & N. F. Johnson, (Eds.) (Chapter 6, pp. 93-114), Educational Researchers and the Regional University - Agents of Regional-Global Transformation. Springer.

Plunkett, M. (2018). Gifted Students in Rural and Remote settings, in J. Jolly and J. Jarvis (Eds.), (Chapter 11, pp. 171-192), Exploring Gifted Education: Australian and New Zealand Perspectives. Routledge

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2018). The Journey Begins. In M. Dyson and M. Plunkett (Eds.), Surviving, Thriving and Reviving in Adolescence: Research and Narratives from the School for Student Leadership (pp. 1– 5). Springer.

Reeves, M., Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2018).  A Chronological History of the School. In M. Dyson & M. Plunkett (Eds.), Surviving, Thriving and Reviving in Adolescence: Research and Narratives from the School for Student Leadership (pp. 7 – 25). Springer.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2018). A Narrative Account of the Research Journey. In M. Dyson & M. Plunkett (Eds.), Surviving, Thriving and Reviving in Adolescence: Research and Narratives from the School for Student Leadership (pp. 27 – 42). Springer.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2018). Choice Theory, Relationships and Community. In M. Dyson & M. Plunkett (Eds.), Surviving, Thriving and Reviving in Adolescence: Research and Narratives from the School for Student Leadership (pp. 43 – 67). Springer.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2018). The Student Perspective. In M. Dyson & M. Plunkett (Eds.), Surviving, Thriving and Reviving in Adolescence: Research and Narratives from the School for Student Leadership (pp. 69-90). Springer.

Plunkett, M., & Dyson, M. (2018). The Teacher Perspective. In M. Dyson & M. Plunkett (Eds.), Surviving, Thriving and Reviving in Adolescence: Research and Narratives from the School for Student Leadership (pp. 91-105). Springer.

Plunkett, M., & Dyson, M. (2018). The Parent Perspective, In M. Dyson and M. Plunkett (Eds.), Surviving, Thriving and Reviving in Adolescence: Research and Narratives from the School for Student Leadership (pp.107-125). Springer.

Plunkett, M., Dyson, M., & Holcombe, W. (2018). Experimenting with Place: The China Project. In M. Dyson & M. Plunkett (Eds.), Surviving, Thriving and Reviving in Adolescence: Research and Narratives from the School for Student Leadership (pp.173-201). Springer.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2018). Concluding Summary. In M. Dyson & M. Plunkett (Eds.), Surviving, Thriving and Reviving in Adolescence: Research and Narratives from the School for Student Leadership (pp. 203- 205). Springer.

Burke, J., Plunkett, M., & Li, B. (2017). Peer enhancement of learning and teaching for teacher educators. In A. Garcia-Valcarcel, F. J. Garcia Penalvo, M. Martin Del Pozo (Eds.) Search and research: Teacher education for contemporary contexts. (pp. 347-356). Salamanca, Espana: Ediciones de Universidad de Salamanca. ISBN: 978 84 9012 769 8

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2014). Developing relationships and improving the mentoring experience using Reflective Mentoring, in David, B. Zandvliet (Ed), Interpersonal Relationships in Education: From Theory to Practice. Sense Publishers.

Waldrip, B., Gunstone, A., & Plunkett, M. (2013). Developing Sustainable Education in Regional Australia, in Andrew Gunstone (Ed), Developing Sustainable Education in Regional Australia (pp. 1-7). Monash University Publishing.

Tennant, J., West, A., Plunkett, M., & Howard, R. (2013). Educating for a Sustainable Future Through the Redevelopment of the Online Learning Experience for Off-Campus Students, in Andrew Gunstone (Ed), Developing Sustainable Education in Regional Australia (pp. 8-24). Monash University Publishing

Plunkett, M. (2012). Justice for rural gifted students, in S. Nikakis (Ed). Let the tall poppies flourish: advocating to achieve educational justice for all gifted students. (pp.37-49). Heidelberg Press

Kronborg, L., Kelly, L., & Plunkett, M. (2010). Curricula responses to teaching gifted students in Australia (3rd Ed). Maker, C.J. & Schiver, S.W. Curriculum Development and Teaching Strategies for Gifted Learners (pp.317-327). ProEd.

Refereed journal articles

Antoun, M., Kronborg, L., & Plunkett, M. (2020). Investigating Lebanese primary school teachers’ perceptions of gifted and highly able students. Gifted and Talented International, 35(1). doi: 10.1080/15332276.2020.1783398

Algamdi, A. A., & Plunkett, M. (2018). Perceptions of Saudi male and female postgraduate students regarding the impact of social networking sites and apps on their academic life: A study of Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 13(5), 19-40.

Kronborg, L., Plunkett, M., Gamble, N., & Kaman, Y. (2018). Control and resilience: The importance of an internal focus to maintain resilience in academically able students. Gifted and Talented International, 32(1), 59-74.

Aktaruzzaman, M., & Plunkett, M (2017). Institutional and Community Perceptions of Distance Education in Bangladesh: Preparing for the 21^st Century. The Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 18(2),

Holcombe, W., & Plunkett, M. (2016). The Bridges and Barriers Model of Support for High-Functioning Students with ASD in Mainstream Schools. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 41(9), 27-47.

Aktaruzzaman, M., & Plunkett, M (2016). An Innovative Approach Towards a Comprehensive Distance Education Framework for a Developing Country. American Journal of Distance Education, 30(4), 211-224.

Aktaruzzaman, M., & Plunkett, M. (2016) Adapting Structuration Theory as a Comprehensive Theory for Distance Education: The Astide Model. European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning, 2016/I

Kronborg, L., & Plunkett, M. (2015). Providing an optimal school context for talent development: An extended curriculum program in practice. Australasian Journal of Gifted Education, 24(2), 61-24.

Kronborg, L., & Plunkett, M. (2013). Responding to professional learning: How effective teachers differentiate teaching and learning strategies to engage highly able adolescents. Australasian Journal of Gifted Education, 22(2), 52-63.

Kronborg, L., & Plunkett, M. (2012). Examining teacher attitudes and perceptions of teacher competencies required in a new selective high school. Australasian Journal of Gifted Education, 21(2), 33-47.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2012). Making a Difference by Embracing Cooperative Learning Practices in an Alternate Setting: An Exciting Combination to Incite the Educational Imagination. Journal of Classroom Interaction, 47(2), 13-24.

Plunkett, M., & Kronborg, L. (2011). Learning to be a Teacher of the Gifted: The Importance of Examining Opinions and Challenging Misconceptions. Gifted and Talented International, 26(1&2), 31-46.

Plunkett, M., & Dyson, M. (2011). Becoming a Teacher and Staying One: Examining the Complex Ecologies Associated with Educating and Retaining New Teachers in Rural Australia. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 36(1), 31-47.

Edited journal (special edition)

Plunkett, M. (2016). Editorial. The Australasian Journal of Gifted Education, 26(2), pp. 1-2.

Refereed conference proceedings

International (Full paper)

Plunkett, M., & Dyson, M. (2015). Broadening Horizons: A Story of Moving Towards Justice Through Building Aspirations for Rural Students in Regional Australia. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, USA, April, 2015.

Plunkett, M., & Kronborg, L. (2014). Utilising research to empower teaching practice and educational policy development in relation to gifted education: An Australian case study. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PN, USA, April, 2014.

Kronborg, L., & Plunkett, M. (2012). More than knowing: helping teachers understand the needs of highly able students in a new select entry school. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada, April 2012.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2012). An innovative mentoring approach to prepare holistic educators for the 21st Century. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada, April 2012.

Dyson, M., Plunkett, M., & Dyson, B. (2011). Making a difference by embracing cooperative learning practices in an alternate setting: An exciting combination to incite the social imagination. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2011.

National (Full paper)

Plowright, S., Glowrey, C., Green, M., Fletcher, A.,Harrison, D., Plunkett, M., Emmett., S., & Johnson, N. (2016). Re-imagining and Transforming Identity as Rural Researchers and Educators: A (Con)textual Fugue.Refereed Conference Proceedings from AARE Research Conference, Melbourne, Nov 27- Dec 01, 2016.

Plunkett, M., Dyson, M., & Schneider, P. (2013). A unique educational experience for adolescents: What do students and parents love and fear about the School for Student Leadership. Refereed Conference Proceedings from AARE Research Conference, Adelaide, Dec 01 - 05, 2013.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2012). Alternative settings - alternative teachers? Reflections on teaching outside the mainstream. Refereed Conference Proceedings from the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Annual Conference Sydney, Dec 2-6, 2012.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2011). Shifting the focus in teacher education: Foregrounding the value of teacher/student relationships. Refereed conference proceedings from the Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA) Annual Conference, Melbourne, July 3-6, 2011.

International (Abstract)

Plunkett, M., & Kronborg, L. (2019). Preparing future teachers to understand and appropriately respond to gifted students in their classrooms: Results from a longitudinal case study. Paper presented at 23^rd Biennial World Conference. World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Nashville, Tennessee, July 2019.

Plunkett, M., & Holcombe, W. (2019). Building confidence in regional pre-service teachers for teaching gifted students. Paper presented at 23^rd Biennial World Conference. World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Nashville, Tennessee, July 2019.

Plunkett, M., & Kronborg, L. (2018). How can teacher education courses prepare graduates to understand and appropriately respond to gifted students in their classrooms? Results from a longitudinal case study. Workshop presented at World Federation of Associations of Teacher Education (WFATE) 2018 Conference, July 9-11, 2018, Melbourne.

Plunkett, M. (2017). Embedding gifted education in regional pre-service teacher education. Paper presented at the 22^nd Biennial World Council for Gifted and Talented Children World Conference: Global Perspectives in Gifted Education, Sydney, Australia, July 20-23, 2017.

Burke, J., Plunkett, M., & Li, B. (2017). Peer enhancement of learning and teaching for teacher educators. Paper presented at 18th Biennial ISATT (International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching) Conference, Salamanca, Spain, July 3-7, 2017.

Antoun, M., Kronborg, L., & Plunkett, M. (2017). The importance of culture in defining and

accommodating giftedness: A Lebanese perspective. Paper presented at the 22^nd Biennial World Council for Gifted and Talented Children World Conference: Global Perspectives in Gifted education, Sydney, Australia, July 20-23, 2017.

Aktaruzzaman, M. & Plunkett, M. (2015). An innovative approach towards the development of a comprehensive distance education framework for a developing country. Paper presented at the 21st Century Academic Forum Conference, September 20-22, 2015, Harvard University, USA.

Plunkett, M., & Kronborg, L. (2015). Teaching gifted students: How well prepared do our future teachers feel for the challenge? International Gifted Conference (AAEGT, QAGTC, IRADTE) Illuminating the Spectrum of Giftedness and Talent Development. Brisbane, Australia, March 19-21, 2015.

Plunkett, M., & Dyson, M. (2014). Engaging learners through alternative practices: what can we learn from the school for student leadership? Paper presented at A Child's World -Next Steps conference, Aberystwyth Uni, Wales, UK June 25-27.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2014). Reflective mentoring: empowering relationships and practices in pre-service teacher education. Paper presented at A Child's World -Next Steps conference, Aberystwyth Uni, Wales, UK. June 25-27.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2012). An innovative mentoring approach to prepare holistic educators for the 21st century. American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting Program, 13-17 April, American Educational Research Association, Washington DC USA, p. 72.

Plunkett, M., & Dyson, M. (2012). Building a culture of positive interpersonal relationships in teacher education through a process of reflective mentoring. Poster presentation at the International Conference on Interpersonal Relationships in Education (ICIRE), Vancouver, Canada, April, 2012.

Plunkett, M., & Kronborg, L. (2011). Making a World of Difference for Gifted Students Through Supporting Teachers' Understandings of Giftedness. Paper presented at the 19th Biennial World Conference for the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children. Prague, Czech Republic, August 8-12, 2011.

Kronborg, L., Meath, T., Page, R., & Plunkett, M. (2011). A New Selective High School: What Makes it Effective? Symposium presented at the 19th Biennial World Conference for the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children. Prague - Czech Republic, August 8-12, 2011.

National (Abstract)

Plunkett, M., & MacGregor, L. (2018). Pre-service teachers’ perceptions of the value of completing an extended practicum in their final year. Paper presented at ATEA/TEFANZ Conference, July 4-6, Melbourne.

Plunkett, M. (2015). A Tripartite Overview of Giftedness in a Rural Context. Keynote presentation at 2015 Gifted Futures Forum for Talent Enhancement, University of New South Wales, Oct 23-24, 2015.

Kronborg, L., & Plunkett, M. (2013). Developing teacher expertise in response to professional learning in a new selective high school for academically able adolescents. Paper presented as part of a symposium in Motivation and Learning SIG at AARE Research Conference, Adelaide, Dec 01 - 05, 2013.

Dyson, M., & Plunkett, M. (2013). Empowering relationships and practices through reflective mentoring. Paper presented as part of a symposium in Teacher education and Research Innovation SIG at AARE Research Conference, Adelaide, Dec 01 - 05, 2013.

Kronborg, L., & Plunkett, M. (2012). Teachers' understandings of the needs of highly able students in a new select entry school. Paper presented at 13th National Conference on Giftedness, Adelaide, July 11-14, 2012.

Plunkett, M. (2012). Going for gold in regional Victoria: Challenges and future possibilities related to teaching highly able rural students. Paper presented at Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA) Annual Conference, Adelaide, July 1-4, 2012.

Funded research projects (last 10 years)

Awards

• 2014 - Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT) National Citation for outstanding contribution to student learning ($10,000 prize)
• 2012 - Pearson/ATEA Teacher Educator of the Year
• 2010 - Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence: Special Commendation

Editorial positions

• Associate Editor - Australasian Journal of Gifted Education
• International Editorial Review Board member– Gifted and Talented International

Community and professional service

• Elected Australian Delegate – World Council for Gifted Children (2006-2021)
• Immediate Past President ACE (2012-2015)
• President of Gippsland Chapter of Australian College of Educators (ACE) (2009-2012)

Associations

• Association for Gifted and Talented Education Victoria (AGATEVic)
• Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE)
• American Educational Research Association (AERA)
• Australian Association for the Education of Gifted and Talented (AAEGT)
• Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children (VAGTC)
• World Council for Gifted Education (WCGE) - Elected Australian Delegate 2006-2008, 2009-2011, 2011-2013, 2013- 2015, 2015-2017, 2017-2019, 2019-2021
• Australian College of Educators (ACE) - President Gippsland chapter 2009 - 2012
• Australasian Journal of Gifted Education – Associate Editor
• Gifted and Talented International – Editorial Board
• Australian Journal of Teacher Education - Consultant Editor
• American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual meetings (Gifted SIG) - Reviewer