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Field study of summer thermal performance of the school buildings in Avondale College (report for Jasmax, 30/11/2020)
No full textBACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION:
According to the New Zealand Ministry of Education, in New Zealand, there are 14637 school buildings built from pre-1940s to 1990s (see Figure 1). There could be a significant number of New Zealand school classrooms without sufficient insulation in their envelopes and with single glazing windows. Auckland has a temperate climate, with comfortable warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. High relative humidity during the Auckland winter is a major issue for building indoor health conditions. An Auckland school building usually does not need air condition for cooling during the summer (window ventilation and ceiling fan) only need space heating during the winter. School building thermal design should more focus on winter thermal performance and indoor health conditions
An excellent adventure: Investigating the stories of Tertiary Teaching Excellence awardees
No full textRESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1, How does the concept of excellence unfurl in the narratives of Tertiary Teaching Excellence awardees?
2. How do these practitioners embody, convey, and foster that excellence in their practice?
3. What implications for Professional Development do these narratives of excellence have?
ABSTRACT:
Challenges exist with the discourse in higher education around terms such as ‘best practice’, ‘excellence’, and ‘impact’, as part of a culture of measuring and ranking performance, and this raises questions around who decides what ‘excellent’ teaching looks like. Similarly, the criteria for teaching excellence awards in different countries and contexts seem to be particularly vague. With a view to better understanding the facets that make up teaching excellence, this doctoral research project uses narrative inquiry to investigate the stories of twelve national Tertiary Teaching Excellence awardees in New Zealand. My research questions explore awardees’ respective trajectories and professional practice, including views on their identity, their practice, and on what they consider to be excellence in tertiary teaching. The research also reports on common themes in the personal qualities that awardees describe, and on what these nationally recognised educators would like to see in place around Tertiary Teacher Development.
Through the stories of these twelve recognised educators, and an analysis of the themes which occur across the collection of narratives, I propose a model − ‘The Keys to Teaching Excellence’ − which captures the principal elements of excellence in practice, as one outcome of my analysis.
Educators, mentors, trainers, and curriculum designers can gain a deeper understanding of what teaching excellence looks like, and of how teachers perceive their own practice and their impact on others. This may enable different interventions to develop best practice from staff, and to raise standards. It is hoped too that, by reflecting on the stories of teachers who have been recognised for ‘excellence’, educators will relate to and recognise elements of their own practice, and will feel motivated and inspired to share these with their peers and the wider academic community.
The thesis also includes reflections on my framework of practice, underpinned by my constructivist ontology and the socially-situated importance of professional learning, with a thread of reflexivity woven throughout. I consider the impact this doctoral project and the research journey has had on my professional practice, and reflect on how it contributes to my potential future pathway
Job satisfaction: What are the factors influencing satisfaction for physical health occupational therapists working in rural New Zealand?
No full textBACKGROUND
The purpose of this research is to assist in recognising the factors influencing satisfaction for physical health occupational therapists working in rural New Zealand. Overseas research suggests that job satisfaction plays a key role in productivity, recruitment and retention (Eklund & Hallberg, 2000; Moore, Cruikshank & Haas, 2006). The researcher was interested as to if these themes are echoed in occupational therapy in New Zealand, and specifically if there are themes directly related to rural practice.
There have been a number of studies related to role satisfaction of occupational therapists globally (Bailey, 1990a; Freda, 1992; Greensmith & Blumfield, 1989; Mills & Millsteed, 2002; Moore, Cruickshank, & Haas, 2006). However, less research has been completed specific to Occupational Therapy in New Zealand. Physical health occupational therapists are important for facilitating and maintaining independence of individuals, reducing re-admission, facilitating discharge, ensuring be flow in an acute setting, and reducing further intervention in the community (Di Monaco et al., 2008). This is particularly important given that rural dwelling individuals tend to remain at home for longer, are more geographically isolated than their city dwelling counterparts (Elliot‐Schmidt & Strong, 1997; Probst & Bhavsar, 2014). There is very little research on rural Occupational Therapy practice in New Zealand.
METHOD
This study used quantitative and qualitative methodology, through the use of a survey gathering specific data and participant opinions. Quantitative research gives the opportunity for a large amount of data to be collected, whilst qualitative components facilitate the opportunity to develop a more detailed narrative. Therefore, components of both methods were utilised, to gather both breadth and depth of information. An online survey was designed and implemented to provide breadth of information to ensure a snapshot of the current professional climate, without the limitation of geographical barriers, whilst also allowing for a larger participant population, thus facilitating a larger body of data. This survey was kindly distributed by the OTBNZ to all New Zealand OTs who identified they were willing to participate in research. 60 therapists commenced the survey, and 32 were eligible/ elected to complete it in full. Data was analysed using the Qualtrics data analysis, where it was exported to identify themes of research.
FINDINGS
Length of time in a position, access to professional development, hours worked, and salary were all identified as significant factors in influencing the satisfaction of rural occupational therapists. The perception of satisfaction and impacting factors is likely to be different between therapists. Where one therapist may enjoy the rural travel component, another may find this is the least satisfying aspect of their role. It is likely that these factors change over time with experiences, service dynamics, and the progression of the profession. The research also raised important questions about the identity of rural practitioners and how they are identified
Fabricating place
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How can digital fabrication methodologies aid in the production of early placemaking developments?
ABSTRACT
New Zealand cities are experiencing large growth throughout the country. Local government bodies are expanding cities outwards, and densifying existing city centres. However, these projects require years of planning, approvals, funding, and finally construction to accomplish. There is an opportunity to explore early placemaking strategies to re-activate existing communities and to promote growth of new developing communities. Henderson Central is undergoing the planning stages of Panuku’s “Unlock Henderson” scheme. This research aims to understand and apply placemaking principles to develop an urban strategy to re-activate and promote social engagement in the interim. There is a growing importance for public spaces that promote social, cross-cultural, and inter-neighbourhood interaction during a time of increase digital distractions and covid-19 related social seclusion.
Growing accessibility to digital design tools and fabrication technologies such as CNC and laser cutter provide the opportunities to explore the production of bespoke architectural placemaking interventions. The use of digital tools provides the opportunity to customize and personalize readily available building materials to produce cost-effective design solutions.
This research seeks to explore the opportunities created by digital fabrication methodologies to produce an urban placemaking solution. Placemaking strategies will inform the underlying urban issues, planning, and urban design solution for the Henderson area. Digital fabrication methodologies will inform the formal design and production of various interventions in response to the placemaking proposal. These interventions in conjunction with placemaking philosophies can provide high-impact cost-effective early placemaking solutions prior to larger more time intensive urban developments.
SITE: 5 Trading Place, near Waitakere Library / Unitec Library, New Zealan
Why do female engineers discontinue their construction careers: A New Zealand perspective
No full textThe study sought to understand why few female construction engineers progress from graduate roles through to middle and senior management. This was studied through a literature review, industry analysis, and a questionnaire issued to early-career engineers at Downer New Zealand.
The study found that the inherently masculine culture of construction companies is hostile to women in various ways. They feel culturally adrift, harassed, separated from informal business networks, and suffer from a lack of role models and clear career paths. Factors that affect retention of all genders include unpleasant working hours and locations.
These concerns were echoed in the results of the questionnaire issued to Downer New Zealand staff. They added further concerns about pay progression, and unclear or unfair job descriptions. The perceived inflexible nature of their work means that many respondents felt that a career at Downer New Zealand was incompatible with their future plans to have children.
The recommendations include greater inclusion of women when developing initiatives aimed at retaining women – this inclusion could be achieved in a number of ways that would also gain them greater access to networks, role models, and potential career paths. Specific equity targets should be set and published, with a clear focus on reducing discrimination. These targets should include SMART goals, and senior executives should be made accountable for progress
Concordant geographic and genetic structure revealed by genotyping-by-sequencing in a New Zealand marine isopod
No full textPopulation genetic structure in the marine environment can be influenced by lifehistory traits such as developmental mode (biphasic, with distinct adult and larval morphology, and direct development, in which larvae resemble adults) or habitat specificity, as well as geography and selection. Developmental mode is thought to significantly influence dispersal, with direct developers expected to have much lower dispersal potential. However, this prediction can be complicated by the presence of geophysical barriers to dispersal. In this study, we use a panel of 8,020 SNPs to investigate population structure and biogeography over multiple spatial scales for a direct- developing species, the New Zealand endemic marine isopod Isocladus armatus. Because our sampling range is intersected by two well-known biogeographic barriers (the East Cape and the Cook Strait), our study provides an opportunity to understand how such barriers influence dispersal in direct developers. On a small spatial scale (20 km), gene flow between locations is extremely high, suggestive of an island model of migration. However, over larger spatial scales (600 km), populations exhibit a clear pattern of isolation-by-distance. Our results indicate that I. armatus exhibits significant migration across the hypothesized barriers and suggest that large-scale ocean currents associated with these locations do not present a barrier to dispersal. Interestingly, we find evidence of a north-south population genetic break occurring between Māhia and Wellington. While no known geophysical barrier is apparent in this area, it coincides with the location of a proposed border between bioregions. Analysis of loci under selection revealed that both isolation-by-distance and adaption may be contributing to the degree of population structure we have observed here. We conclude that developmental life history largely predicts dispersal in the intertidal isopod I. armatus. However, localized biogeographic processes can disrupt this expectation, and this may explain the potential meta-population detected in the Auckland region
The Parka Wrap: Retrofitting insulation onto the existing walls of occupied homes
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
Are there safer, more effective ways of improving wall thermal performance while limiting occupant disruption?
RESEARCH AIM
Design new retrofit methodology where insulation is overlaid on an existing wall.
ABSTRACT
Currently, there is limited research to improve an estimated 830,000 homes in New Zealand that have no insulation within the external walls. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive policy, standard or best practice guideline to housing providers and homeowners for retrofitting external walls that are not insulated. Therefore, this research aims to understand how practitioners can design and implement building interventions over existing wall claddings to increase thermal performance in existing occupied as-built homes.
While retrofitting homes have underlying barriers to implementation, the research will primarily focus on application technique and practical knowledge while considering thermal and hygrothermal performance. Aspects of construction and social costs will be acknowledged within the research but is out of scope.
The thesis is divided into seven chapters. Chapters one and two outline the research purpose and define the research question. They are followed by review of key background literature in chapter three and case studies within the subject field in chapter four. These lead to the evaluation of testing methodologies and the design of experiments in the fifth chapter which also describes the software simulations of proposed materials and assemblies.
Chapter six describes actively tested iterative scaled sections of building walls within a controlled environment. The knowledge gained from scaled testing is analysed and applied to a typical New Zealand bungalow wall and tested with wind, water and seismic pressures to provide insight into the process of retrofitting homes. The final chapter will review the value of the research and conclude with next steps.
International research and practice show an existing building’s walls can be retrofitted externally. In New Zealand, cold houses cost New Zealand $7 Billion annually in respiratory healthcare, however there are major knowledge gaps in how to retrofit to create thermally efficient homes without causing harm to the building’s durability. Case studies of attempted improvements using external insulation suggest it can easily result in a negative outcome with building damage (moisture entrapment) when available building science is ignored or misunderstood. Precedents internationally have suggested positive outcomes when the insulation has been applied as an external blanket; however, specific material combinations are critical to this success or failure.
Modelling the implementation of the proposed Parka Wrap system to existing buildings shows a 60% reduction of energy required to maintain 20 degrees inside a typical house where insulation already exists in floor and ceiling. Physically testing existing walls pre-retrofit shows they are leaky for both air and water as water is driven through existing cladding by wind pressure. The effects of wind alone contributes to cold internal environments. The addition of water requires either drainage and/or significant drying potential to avoid damage to structural framing. The subsequent physical testing for water penetration in NZS4284:2008 test rig included seismic racking, and repeated water penetration testing has shown evidence of successful development of a robust weathertight assembly with predictable thermal performance. Further software based analysis of proposed design ensures avoidance of predictable moisture accumulation
Remote encounters of the embodied kind : connections and misconnections in a time of crisis in Creative Industries
No full textPASA DANCE / Katie Burton & Charles Koroneho
PASA Screen Arts / Michael Miller
CA – BCE: Contemporary Arts Cohort / Gina Ferguso
Articular and artificial cartilage, characteristics, properties and testing approaches - a review
No full textThe design and manufacture of artificial tissue for knee joints have been highlighted recently among researchers which necessitates an apt approach for its assessment. Even though most re‐searches have focused on specific mechanical or tribological tests, other aspects have remained underexplored. In this review, elemental keys for design and testing artificial cartilage are discussed and advanced methods addressed. Articular cartilage structure, its compositions in loadbearing and tribological properties of hydrogels, mechanical properties, test approaches and wear mechanisms are discussed. Bilayer hydrogels as a niche in tissue artificialization are presented, and recent gaps are assessed
Cultural self-awareness: An analysis of the cultural self-awareness in student osteopaths at the Unitec Institute of Technology in Aotearoa/New Zealand
No full textBACKGROUND:
As New Zealand’s society becomes increasingly multicultural osteopaths are delivering care to a more diverse population than ever before. The provision of high-quality, culturally safe and effective care begins with cultural self-awareness. Cultural self-awareness is the recognition of one’s values, biases, beliefs and stereotypes. The recognition and development of cultural self-awareness early in a student osteopath’s education allow for improved communication, rapport building and patient satisfaction that transitions into professional practice. This study aimed to identify the levels of cultural self-awareness of student osteopaths and to explore the factors that may be associated with these levels.
METHOD:
A cross-sectional study of osteopathy students from the School of Osteopathy at Unitec Institute of Technology was conducted using an online self-administered survey. The survey contained three questionnaires: A demographic questionnaire, The Cultural Awareness Scale (CAS) questionnaire and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability (MCSD) Scale Short Form-C. Data was analysed using SPSS version 26.
RESULTS:
A total of 28 students participated in this study (75% response rate). Overall, students reported a moderately high level of cultural self-awareness. Results showed that students who had higher levels of cultural self-awareness also reported higher levels of social desirability response bias. The demographic variables of age and ethnicity had a significant influence on cultural self-awareness regarding students’ general educational experience and cognitive awareness.
CONCLUSION:
These findings provide osteopathic educators with knowledge regarding baseline levels of cultural self-awareness and identifies factors that may need to be addressed to develop cultural self-awareness in future practice. This is the first known study addressing cultural self- awareness in Unitec osteopathy students and adds to a growing body of research addressing cultural self-awareness in the continued development of culturally congruent healthcar