The promotion of positive communication and social interaction between parents & children within the IBCV community

The researcher of this project is a volunteer worker at the International Buddhist College of Victoria. Anecdotal evidence has put forwarded prior to this research that communication and relationships between parents and children in IBCV were deteriorating as a result of parents working long hours and children spending too much time playing computer games. This research has used the Proactive Action Research model and follows Schmuck’s (1997) description of cycles which perform an action up front for the collection of data and has proposed a Tea Ceremony activity to provide a means to open up the study. This activity has also provided the opportunity for parents and children to interact and socialize within their community. The Proactive Action research model was found to be a useful methodology and suitable for this project. Through the cycles and the feedback of participants have helped to determine and incorporate the findings of this research. The results have brought a change in attitude and action processes among the organization’s management and has strengthened their awareness of parents and students within the community. The perception about parents long working hours and computergame playing of young people have been addressed and confirmed and the research has positively benefited both the organization and the school community.