Outcomes Research Project: Certificate in Relaxation Massage at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic

BACKGROUND As tutor and programme co-ordinator for the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (BOPP) Certificate in Relaxation Massage (CRM) for 7 years, it became apparent that graduates of the course gained much more than just a level 4 academic qualification. The main aim of this research was to identify the extent of these “other” gains, sometimes known as ‘soft’ outcomes (Zepke & Leach, 2010). It also aimed to establish the value placed on the outcomes by graduates once they had finished studying and whether they felt they were supported sufficiently while studying. The findings should ultimately help tutors to provide a learning environment that meets the needs of the massage students both academically and pastorally and potentially could influence the marketing of the programme. Zepke & Leach (2010), two researchers from Massey University NZ, examined soft outcomes and student engagement as additional measures of success in foundation study students. Their findings suggest there is merit and validity in widening our views as to what constitutes success. Traditionally success has been measured and valued by hard outcome statistics (retention, completion, employment) and with government funding to polytechnics linked to course completion rates, one can understand the emphasis placed on it by polytechnic management. Zepke & Leach (2010) however, suggest soft outcomes are also a valid measure that should be considered in the overall picture. They identified soft outcomes to include team work, problem solving, learning to learn, motivation to learn, self-esteem, future focus, self awareness, wellness, relationship building, time management and self- organisation. They also highlighted “the need for teachers to be aware of, be empathetic about, and engaged with non-institutional influences as well as institutional influences on students individual and collaborative success” (Zepke & Leach, 2010, p.670). Massage is a touch therapy. The nature of touch is such that recipients of massage are almost always emotionally and/or physically affected by a massage session. Over the duration of the BOPP massage course (17 weeks full-time, 26 weeks part-time) massage students give and receive massage on an on-going weekly basis. Whether a direct consequence of this regular body therapy or an unrelated coincidence we as tutors observe that many students undergo positive personal change and growth throughout their time on the course. Often their transformation is life changing in a positive way. This research attempted to identify the extent of these changes, the value placed on them by graduates and the extent to which such outcomes were a result of being on the programme.