VIURRSpace (Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University)
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A midway between public and private: Exploring elements contributing to efficient and effective rezoning process on Vancouver Island
No full textThis thesis explores the elements that contribute to the efficiency of the Rezoning Approvals Process within the public and private sectors on Vancouver Island. The efficiency of the rezoning process is a contributing factor to the cost of housing and the presence of conflict in development approvals. Relevant literature along with other secondary data sources was analyzed to formulate a framework of issues outlining the key elements of the rezoning approvals process. The framework focused on how the rezoning process can be assessed based on the local government's need to regulate the growth according to municipal plans and policies, and the developer's need to construct financially feasible projects. Online interviews workshops were conducted with municipal planners, private developers, First Nation managers, and technical consultants across Vancouver Island, to understand the challenges in the rezoning approvals process, administrative culture and capture their insight regarding the improvement of the process. The findings from this study provide various recommendations for the public as well as the private sector focusing to make the overall process efficient and effective. This research project acts as a baseline in the dialogues that gravitated towards streamlining the development approvals process and welcomes future researchers to strengthen the ideas put forward.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27436/ChoudharyThesis.pdf?sequence=3Thesis/major project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning in the Department of Community Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Vancouver Island University
Transitioning from high school to adulthood: how can educators best support students in a life skills classroom through the transition process?
No full textThis thesis is about supporting students as they transition from a high school life skills program into adulthood. Evidence-based teaching practices are explored as are recommendations for transition planning. The framework used for this thesis is Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Model. The literature review explores what is known about transitions for students with complex needs and how they are best supported as they move on from the school system and enter into their adult lives. The applied project for this thesis is a website that is designed to be a resource for educators new to supporting students through the transition process. Included are assessment materials, critical learning domains for students, and information about support agencies and organizations throughout the province of British Columbia.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27358/Danielson.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
A Girls Who LEAP exploration of youth leadership
No full textThis cocreated research inquiry, which aimed to support young people in reclaiming their voice and authority as knowledge holders and leaders in their community, explored the question: How do young people in Girls Who LEAP (GWL) organization understand leadership? Using a decolonized methodological approach pairing Indigenous methodology with youth participatory action research, this inquiry engaged 18 young people. Data were gathered through narrative métissage, sticky notes, and sharing circles. Given the relational approach of engaging the community was foundational in all aspects of this inquiry, a community inquiry team and youth research advisory team were critical in this study. Key learnings highlighted the relationships between adult-youth mentor relationships, experiential learning, cultivating a sense of belonging and the impact of values identification in youth leadership development. The recommended call to action from the young people includes the creation of a new GWL youth leadership framework to be implemented by the organization
Revealing whiteness: how one group used social media to uncover and challenge white supremacy operating in municipal political online messages
No full textThis study examined how a local advocacy group in Abbotsford, BC used social media to identify and challenge white supremacy in municipal online texts. Research studying social justice advocacy groups operating via social media has shown that to achieve profound change, information needs to reach traditional news outlets before attention from those in power will take notice. Further research notes that people of colour experience higher rates of online abuse as opposed to white people. A case study was used to conduct semi-structured interviews of six participants of different racial and gender identities who belonged to a local advocacy group. Qualitative analysis of the interviews, employing theories such as Bourdieu’s field theory and concept of capital to examine power, was used to reveal that attention from elites was higher when social media messages reached traditional news media sources and that participants of colour experienced more violent reactions from those in positions of power politically, academically, and from the media than white people. This study provides valuable knowledge for others wishing to challenge dominate systems of oppression online and contributes to the ongoing body of research surrounding social justice movements using social media
Enhancing the interventions of students with behaviour exceptionalities and the teachers who support them
No full textHow do we support the lagging skills of students with social and emotional challenges within the classroom? This study analyzes the perspective of educators supporting students with social and emotional needs throughout four Professional Growth (PG) sessions. The sessions took place using an Appreciative Inquiry model, a research method to enhance the abilities of organizations by identifying what works well and building a plan to enhance those qualities further. In this study, educators looked at what works well in supporting students with social and emotional challenges and how they could enhance those qualities. The three themes identified as essential to supporting students with social-emotional challenges were enhancing communication between administration and teachers, valuing the time of stakeholders through our school community, and utilizing positive relationships as essential requirements for interventions and student success. Participants made recommendations and set goals for further exploring these themes within the school community. Recommendations for further research suggest further exploration of these themes in teaching practice.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27368/Arienzale.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Understanding the Link between E-waste and Air Pollution in Guiyu, China: Insights into Fine and Coarse Particulate Matters and Policy Responses
Get PDF2023The rapid development of electronic devices has led to the issue of improper disposal of electronic devices. E-waste can have many severe influences on both the environment and human beings. To better understand the knowledge of e-waste and air quality, this research evaluated the level of PM2.5 and PM10 to determine the impact of e-waste-related activities on air quality in Guiyu, China, and suggested policy recommendations based on the analysis results. In this research, we explored the relationship between e-waste and air quality through the lens of laws and regulations. The analysis used air quality and climate variables, including temperature, humidity, air pressure, precipitation, ground wind speed, and wind direction data. We reviewed selected national, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations. The research compared the existing air quality with the COVID-19 period to reflect the trends, and developed policy and management recommendations to improve the air quality in the region. The pollution rose diagram, and the HYSPLIT model were used to analyze pollution dispersion and interpret the results. We find that mean PM2.5 levels significantly decreased over the COVID-19 period, showing that the closure of e-waste-related activities in Guiyu as a result of rigorous laws had a significant positive influence on local air quality. This highlights the value of strict rules in reducing the impact of human activities on local air quality
Fruitful Connections: The Potential of the Copley Community Orchard, An Urban Commons
Get PDF2023This thesis research explored the role of urban community spaces, focusing on the Copley Community Orchard in Vancouver, British Columbia. Using a narrative inquiry methodology, the study used community mapping, photovoice and “clean language” based, semi-structured interviews to gather qualitative data about participants’ experiences in this place. The research process was informed by literature relating to the themes of urbanisation, disconnection from nature, the concepts of time and place, the contested role of community gardens and orchards, and the emerging scholarship on decolonisation in Canada. Participants articulated the ways that the orchard was an important place of personal introspection, interspecies reciprocity, and social connection and learning. Future potential of this space in relation to the ongoing project of reconciliation, climate resiliency, food security, civic engagement, and reclaiming the commons was also discussed. This study also highlighted the possibilities to create urban green spaces that are inclusive and accessible for all, regardless of culture, ethnicity, physical ability, or socioeconomic status. Implications for directions towards future urban planning, with a focus on the concept of the commons, are discussed at the end of this paper. Keywords: urban commons, community orchard, place-responsiveness, decolonisation, clean language, narrative inquiry, community mappin
A hand up: supporting adolescent refugee students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE)
No full textIncreasingly, schools across the world are welcoming unprecedented numbers of refugee students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE). Due to changing global situations, these students often have more extreme socioemotional and academic needs than former English Language Learners (ELL) populations. These factors have led to changes in the way students with interrupted schooling acquire English as an additional language and the need for teachers to learn more about this group's strengths and challenges. SLIFE that enter high school are at risk of dropout due to a confluence of challenges. They are often wading through content concourses with rudimentary English skills. In addition to this, they are navigating the new culture of Western high school and society, along with socioeconomic and/or familial pressures that often accompany migration to a new country. To support and encourage teachers who work with SLIFE, this project includes a three-part professional learning resource that will inform teachers of 1) the unique considerations when working with adolescent SLIFE, and 2) ways to integrate trauma informed practice and 3) culturally responsive teaching, with attention to the strengths and needs of SLIFE.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27352/HughesOflynn.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Assessing competencies in fully online asynchronous high school courses
No full textWith the introduction of British Columbia’s new curriculum, BC teachers have been mandated to adopt concept-based and competency-driven approaches with a focus on development of competencies. Competency-Based Learning offers a number of advantages but also requires set standards that students must achieve in order to progress to the next level. Yet, the Province has not established what constitutes proficiency for each competency and grade. Competency assessment is further complicated in online Senior Mathematics, where content can be abstract and asynchronous learning prevents any types of real time interactions. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the literature with regards to Mathematics instructions, competency assessment, and asynchronous online learning, to offer a response to the Guiding Question: “What are best practices for assessing competencies in a fully online and asynchronous learning environment with a focus on Senior Mathematics?” The literature shows that project-based learning is the best way to develop competencies and rubrics are usually used to assess competencies. A Best Practices Framework for Assessing Competencies in an Online Mathematics Course was created based on the literature and taking into consideration BC education system’s constraints as well as the limitations associated with an asynchronous online learning environment. The document is available in pdf format at the link below and the full version is also included in Appendix A. It provides best practices and resources, as well as a four-step guide to create a Competency-Based online course, including practical examples in Senior Mathematics
Hybridity and performativity: different approaches on human nature through human-animal hybrids in science fiction
Get PDFWinning essay - English Department Competition 2022-2023Winning essay - ENGL 12