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Analysis of academic procrastination in professional students of a tertiary training programme
No full textAcademic procrastination is a common behavior among tertiary students. In particular, parttime adult students who undergo professional training usually find it very difficult to balance tertiary study, work, and family responsibilities. It is important to investigate factors contributing to and consequences resulting from adult students’ academic procrastination, so that we can provide them with targeted help. In this study, we collected data from more than 1800 students who participated in a postgraduate training programme for teaching professionals. Specifically, we examined data on assignment grades, student demographic factors, and assignment extensions. Our analysis suggests that students tend to procrastinate on assessment tasks that are not closely related to their professional practice and skills. We also find that students using personal reasons to apply for extensions are more likely to not complete their assignments, even after being given extensions. With regards to demographic factors, female students, students aged 35 and over, and students working at intermediate and composite schools have a higher tendency to postpone their work. By analyzing the grade means and variances of assignments submitted early, on time, and with extensions, we conclude that procrastination is negatively associated with academic performance
Visible learning : health and physical education. A collaborative secondary/tertiary partnership supported by the Teacher-led Innovation Fund (TLIF)
No full textImpetus to our research
Our research team - intended outcomes
What is Visible Learning
3 important questions
The purpose of feedback is to close the gap in learning
Our process
10 stategies
3 - VL Rubric
Research findings & results
Challenges encountere
Comparative evidence of two cities on cross-border entrepreneurs and their business success : Auckland and Kuala Lumpur
No full textCross-border entrepreneurs in small business are increasingly redefining and reshaping nations. Comparative evidence in literature of cross border entrepreneurs has been almost non-existent hence filling a significant vacuum in the literature. The purpose of this
research is firstly, to compare and contrast the effects of business issues on business success between two cities of Auckland, New Zealand and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
This research employs a mixture of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Quantitative data is obtained from primary data that is secured by a survey carried out on immigrant entrepreneurs of small retail business in Auckland and Kuala Lumpur. To enable the study
to explore the dimensions with respect to the underlying items, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor are conducted using AMOS before a structural model is developed and tested. The research finds that there are factors that positively contribute to
the business success of cross-border entrepreneurs in Auckland and Kuala Lumpur. The analysis of the structural paths shows a significant relationship between the business issues and business success in both cities. Thus, cross border entrepreneurs can be a great source of employment generation, innovation and future impetus for the economic growth of these respective cities
Intergenerational healing : redefining the healthcare environment
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION:
How can the architecture of an intergenerational healthcare centre encourage healing through social engagement of its inhabitants and the integration of the natural environment?
ABSTRACT:
Hospitals are known as places of healing, and they hold a symbolic meaning of health; however, they do not always evoke the idea of well-being. The difference between being healthy and being happy is an issue that hospitals are struggling to define and address. Social interaction and the integration of the natural environment within a healthcare context are two key factors, which are often overlooked, that need to be addressed. These factors, when correctly implemented, have the potential to play a vital role in creating places of healing. There is substantial research to show that social interaction and maintaining a connection with the natural environment aids the healing process. Still many hospitals and healthcare centres lack any connection to the natural environment. Instead, being placed amongst urban cityscapes, having poor integration or limited access to the natural environment.
More importantly, there are concerns surrounding New Zealand’s ageing population and the tradition of segregating children and the elderly. Widening the gap between generations can often lead to social prejudices and stereotyping between age groups. The elderly can become disconnected from society after retirement, often experiencing feelings of loneliness and social isolation. This project aims to explore how the architectural design of a healthcare centre can be integrated with an intergenerational programme. To achieve this, the project proposes to introduce an intergenerational healthcare centre. The primary focus of which being the integration of social spaces, inviting staff, visitors and patients to engage and interact with one another. The centre amalgamates aged care and childcare within one facility in an attempt to break down the barriers between generations, and counter the development of prejudice and social isolation in the elderly.
With leading technologies in today’s societies and the knowledge of how to utilise passive design, it now becomes the role of the architect to address the social issues that have emerged within healthcare centres, and to integrate the natural environment within the design. Interactive bump spaces are at the core of the design, connecting the different programmes along the central circulation ‘social street’. The objective is to positively impact the well-being of the inhabitants, creating an environment that fosters physical and psychological well-being, while cultivating a platform for learning. The presence of the natural environment is important, and the integration of therapeutic landscapes has been used as a tool to enhance the inhabitants’ health. In particular, the incorporation of biophilic design principles has enabled the project to connect with nature, integrating both architecture and landscape
Development of a long-term drug delivery system with levonorgestrel loaded chitosan microspheres embedded in poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel
No full textThis study reports on the fabrication of a controlled release system for the delivery of levonorgestrel (LNG) for long-term contraception. LNG was encapsulated in chemically cross-linked chitosan (CS) microspheres, and microspheres presented a spherical geometry with a good particle size distribution (polydispersity index (PDI) < 0.1). The LNG-CS microspheres were classified based on their particle size range, <63, 63–125, and 125–300 μm, where the 125–300 μm particles were selected to be incorporated into a physically cross-linked and annealed PVA hydrogel matrix to prolong the drug release. PVA concentrations and the annealing treatment influenced the swelling behavior of PVA hydrogels. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that CS was successfully cross-linked through the formation of a Schiff base; the PVA hydrogel was formed through hydrogen bonding without reacting with LNG, which was only physically entrapped, thus maintaining its stability. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that freeze–thaw and annealing processes increased the degree of crystallinity in the PVA hydrogel. In vitro drug release assessments for all formulations showed zero order without any burst release. Over a period of 100 days, 34, 27, and 21% of LNG was released from the CS-LNG microspheres in the size ranges < 63, 63–125, and 125–300 μm, respectively, while only 14, 11, and 9% of LNG was released when the CS-LNG microspheres were incorporated into 10, 15, and 20% PVA hydrogels, respectively. The drug release kinetics exhibited both diffusion- and swelling-controlled mechanisms following the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. This work presents a promising delivery system for long-term contraception with controlled zero-order release behavior
Exploring the attitudes of Chinese tourists towards adventure tourism in Queenstown, New Zealand
No full textThe purpose of this research is to explore the attitudes of Chinese tourists towards adventure tourism in Queenstown, New Zealand.
The research questions raised are as follows:
1. To identify how likely Chinese tourists are to participate in particular adventure tourism activities,
2. To determine how Chinese tourists perceive the level of risk of different adventure tourism activities in Queenstown,
3. To explore what motivates Chinese tourists to participate in adventure tourism in Queenstown,
4. To ascertain what prohibits/stops Chinese tourists from participating in adventure tourism in Queenstown.
A positivism research design was used for this research in order to explore the attitudes of Chinese tourists towards adventure tourism in Queenstown. It used the mixed methods approach – questionnaire and interview. Questionnaires were completed by 170 Chinese tourists in Queenstown. Nineteen interviews were carried out for this research. The results of this research show that the top three adventure activities done by the largest number of participants were ledge swing, jet boating and bungy jumping. Meanwhile, bungy jumping was the most popular adventure activity for participants aged between 18 and 25 years. Ledge swing was the most appreciated by the group of the participants who were over 26 years old. The safest adventure activity was ledge swing for participants aged between 36 and 44 years. There are six main factors which motivated the participants to participate in adventure activities in Queenstown: personal interest and curiosity, accepting personal challenge, seeking novelty or a new experience, sharing experience with family or friends, experiencing the beauty of nature or scenery, and assurance of safety. The five factors that prohibited the participants from trying adventure activities included time constraints, concerns about risk, huge physical challenge, purely enjoying the beauty of nature or showing no interest/having no plans. Overall, this research aims to provide some reference information for future research in this field and in the adventure tourism industry
Spatial distribution of the Mexican daisy, Erigeron karvinskianus, in New Zealand under climate change
Get PDFThe invasive species Erigeron karvinskianus or Mexican daisy is considered a significant weed that impacts native forest restoration efforts in New Zealand. Mapping the potential distribution of this species under current and future predicted climatic conditions provides managers with relevant information for developing appropriate management strategies. Using occurrences available from global and local databases, spatial distribution characteristics were analyzed using geostatistical tools in ArcMap to characterize current distribution. Species distribution modeling (SDM) using Maxent was conducted to determine the potential spatial distribution of E. karvinskianus worldwide and in New Zealand with projections into future climate conditions. Potential habitat suitability under future climatic conditions were simulated using greenhouse gas emission trajectories under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) models RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5 for years 2050 and 2070. Occurrence data were processed to minimize redundancy and spatial autocorrelation; non-correlated environmental variables were determined to minimize bias and ensure robust models. Kernel density, hotspot and cluster analysis of outliers show that populated areas of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch have significantly greater concentrations of E. karvinskianus. Species distribution modeling results find an increase in the expansion of range with higher RCP values, and plots of centroids show a southward movement of predicted range for the species
Outside, In : design for integration
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION:
How can an architectural intervention assist in integrating refugees into Auckland society?
ABSTRACT:
New Zealand is one of 44 nations that are a part of the UNHCR treaty, that looks to give 1000 refugees a new life each year. In this new life, however, Refugees are in displacement and struggle to integrate into society. Our country has made means to provide basic facilities and skills for communication, yet these skills are taught in an isolated area away from the public.
This proposal aims to integrate refugees by extracting their needs while in the resettlement process. It will explore further interventions that will help refugees integrate by gaining confidence and stability. Current refugee resettlement processes will be reviewed to gain information on where this problem stems. We investigate examples of current refugee typologies, that will help to create an understanding of architecture that either restricts or achieves integration and to work towards it.
The site of Māngere-East is proposed as it includes the existing Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre. The site is close to the centre, and the surrounding area has a multicultural population which helps the idea of resettling a multicultural group such as refugees. Refugee architecture globally is only limited to temporary spaces in forms of shelters and housing. These spaces have minimal functions that strip refugees to bare life. Refugees require integration to acquire an income that can support their families during the resettling process. Lack of integration and support causes refugees to develop psychological issues which develop from displacement and isolation. It further discourages them to live a happy and healthy life.
The end result of this project hopes to bring a space where refugees and the local community can work together. The objective is to aid refugees to gain a sense of belonging and acceptance while also serving alongside the wider community of Māngere-East. The two groups will view each other as equal contributors to society, leading to acceptance. Architecture should not be restricting but rather providing and equal to every group
Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) weigh up potential risk when faced with conflicting motivations
No full textAnimals face a myriad of stimuli requiring responses; however, the appropriate behavioural response to one stimulus may be inappropriate to another, conflicting stimulus. In the case of predatory stimuli, the appropriate response may be determined by the perceived degree of potential risk of predation. However, food is often used as a way to measure response to the predatory cue, rather than considered as having an attractant effect. To understand how risk is perceived when a conflicting motivation is present, we exposed captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) to visual and auditory stimuli pertaining to a predator (visual and auditory) and food (visual only), individually and simultaneously. The behaviour measured (distance, latency to retrieve food, vocalisations) was as important in understanding how the marmosets perceived risk as the type and combination of stimuli presented. The presence of food was a strong attractant, with the marmosets demonstrating willingness to approach even though a potential predator was nearby. However, the marmosets responded more cautiously when the visual and auditory predator cues were presented simultaneously with the food.
These results demonstrate that 1) marmosets alter their responses to conflicting stimuli rather than prioritising one over the other, 2) there is a need to measure multiple behavioural responses to stimuli, 3) food can be a strong attractant, which may skew the results of predator avoidance studies, and 4) marmosets perceive the combination of visual and auditory cues of a potential predator to be a greater threat than either alone. This has consequences for conservation programs training captive-bred animals to avoid predators
The impact of human shadowing/movement on performance of 802.11ac client-to-server WLAN
No full textThis paper investigates the impact of human movement on 802.11ac WLAN performance using IPv4, IPv6, TCP and UDP protocols. The results show that on average, the TCP and UDP on WLAN with human movement has a lower throughput than nonhuman shadowing for both IPv4 and IPv6. For IPv4, the presence of human movement decreases TCP throughput by 12.76% and UDP throughput by 9.66%. For IPv6 with human movement, TCP and UDP throughput reduces by about 13.38% and 8.74% respectively. For both IPv4 and IPv6, the presence of human movement also increases the round trip time (RTT) and CPU Utilization for both TCP and UDP