3501 research outputs found
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Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LNAT) tool reading progress for targeted Wintec learners in 2019
Full text linkThe main aim of this report is to track reading gains achieved by targeted 2019 students at Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec). Tracking is required by the Wintec LN Policy (Revised, 2018) to ensure we meet Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funding requirements. We generated a composite data set, applying the multi-year testing requirement referred to by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC, 2012, 2017a, b) as the sequence concept. To compare initial and progress reading assessment scores, we manually set up a multivariate layout. We report on learners’ step-based progress to exemption levels for reading. Of the targeted reading cohort (N=557), 40.4% of learners (n=225) progressed to exemption level (step 4 or higher). We used cross-tabulations to report on reading progress by ethnicity, school/centre of study at the institute and enrolment type. To establish whether learners achieved statistically significant gain in reading, we used a matched-pairs t-test to compare initial and progress scale scores for the full cohort. To complete the picture, we replicated TEC’s (2012) algorithm for calculating gain to illustrate that these results under-reported learners’ reading progress.
Our findings showed that the full cohort achieved reading levels at or above the Tertiary Education Commission’s (TEC’s) targets (TEC, 2015). We replicated past reports (Greyling, 2017; Greyling & Ahmad, 2019) showing that the TEC’s LNAT algorithm under-reported progress. Instead, we argued, cross-tabulations of initial and progress step scores provided a far more positive account of students’ reading progress. Our findings also showed that Pasifika learners performed at levels significantly below those of other ethnicities. Waikato Trades Academy (WTA) and Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) students performed at lower levels than other groups yet achieved significant progress. We concluded that current LN practices continued to yield consistent and positive results. Outcomes could be improved by pursuing a more joined-up system of teaching, learning and support as suggested in the report on the 2018 cohort’s progress (Greyling & Ahmad, 2019). Specific attention has to be paid to
• Pasifika ways of being, doing and learning to improve outcomes for them following a collaborative approach with stakeholders responsible for teaching, learning and support.
• Waikato Trades Academy (WTA) and Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) who have performed at levels slightly below other enrolment types, specifically to improve the proportions of learners who achieve exemption-level scores
Diverse learners, inclusive teaching: A learner-story-based approach with ESOL beginners for multi-literacy development
Full text linkFor literacy development at lower levels, finding the right teaching materials can be a challenge due to learners’ diverse cultural, educational, and personal backgrounds. In this presentation, I report on a learner-story-based approach to multi-literacy development that I used with four groups of ESOL beginners. All were domestic students, both migrants and former refugees, some of whom had received little or no formal education. The approach involves ‘speaking and writing out’ learners’ stories, which then become reading material and the basis for further writing. It follows five key phases: 1) start with a real life situation related to one or most learners; 2) talk with learners and co-construct a story about it; 3) draft up the story as well as creating quick follow-up exercises; 4) learners read the story and do the exercises, individually and collaboratively, silently and verbally; and 5) finally learners follow the pattern and write up their own stories.
Using a reflective practice approach, I have developed this over four cycles with a hundred students or so, and found it effective, desirable and feasible; learner feedback has been encouraging and highly positive. Two interesting implications arise: First, this approach could be readily applied to other contexts – primary, secondary, or tertiary – with ESOL learners of diverse backgrounds; Second, some student stories could be publishable, internally or externally, to be shared as reading resources
Women in focus international: Photography online exhibition
No full textThree works were selected and curated for this exhibition series. The images are - Site II, Site V, Site XIII. These works consider ideas that representations of landscape are both physical and multi-sensory, and are encoded with cultural meanings and values. These images construct stories, activating the perceptual space where a place can be visually strolled through and interpreted by our mind and subjective conditioning
Developing a whole-of-organisation perspective on literacy-embedding practices at Wintec: Multiple perspectives on a selection of 2019 Wintec cohorts
Full text linkThis report deals with the reading and numeracy performance of four cohorts of learners, taught by candidates who successfully completed the New Zealand Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Education (Vocational) in 2019. We show how these selected cohorts’ performance can be compared to the overall Wintec performance reported in Greyling, Ahmad and Wallace (2020a, b). We also investigate the links between initial reading and numeracy scores and module completions, defined as either a categorical Pass/Fail binary, or a continuous variable (i.e. the percentage of modules each student completes in any given year). Although the findings show that the targeted cohorts exceeded the mean performance for Wintec students on both reading and numeracy, we point out the limitations and ambiguities associated with such a finding. We recommend that a multifactorial model be developed to explain the complexities of student performance, the pursuit of a whole-of-organisation perspective remain a priority goal, a larger sample of NZCALNE(Voc) candidates’ students be tracked, and other methodologies and/or interventions be considered to lift outcomes for students
Menthol mouth swilling and endurance running performance in the heat
Full text linkHeat challenges multiple physiological systems, and its effects are heavily felt by endurance athletes due to the duration and intensity that must be sustained in competition and training sessions. Runners may demonstrate impaired thermoregulatory responses or opportunities due to lower rates of convective cooling and fewer opportunities to provide cooling interventions during exercise than other endurance athletes e.g. cyclists. Cooling strategies may be employed before or during exercise to minimise the effects of heat exposure, and their effects have been studied for at least three Olympic cycles. Hence, the optimisation of timing and method of delivery of cooling provision, with the addition of any novel strategies, would be of benefit to the contemporary sport and exercise science practitioner.
Initially this thesis sought to better understand the effects of cooling strategies upon time trial performance in endurance sports with a systematic review and meta-analysis. The efficacy of strategies was assessed with respect to intervention timing (pre or per-cooling or both) and method of delivery (oral or topical or both). Cooling strategies were found to provide small but ecologically relevant improvements in time trial performance, especially when administered during the exercise bout to the oral cavity; the addition of menthol was seen to possibly enhance ergogenic effects. Hence, a second systematic review regarding external or internal application of menthol was conducted and found that menthol demonstrated improvements in performance when applied internally, most likely due to altered thermal and ventilatory responses.
A range in menthol concentrations and dilution methods was noted in the literature, establishing a clear need for a randomised trial to ascertain menthol concentration preference. Following appropriate dilution, 0.1% menthol was determined to be preferred; colour preference was also established to maximise the perceptual cooling effect of menthol solution. This solution was then used (without colour to ensure blindness) in subsequent investigations. At rest this solution was shown to improve perceptions of thermal comfort, thermal sensation and thirst, when compared to carbohydrate and water swilling.
Two exercise trials were conducted: the first examined the effects of menthol mouth swilling upon physiological and perceptual markers over four minute intervals at a range of pertinent running speeds (14-20km.h-1), and following 1km time trial performance. Effects on time trial performance were unclear, as were the effects in physiological parameters. Thermal comfort however was improved, with menthol mouth swilling counterintuitively increasing thermal sensation and thirst in the heat (35oC), but
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ameliorating these factors in the cold (15oC). Secondly, at a fixed rating of perceived exertion, corresponding to 2mmol.L-1 blood lactate, runners demonstrated a lower oxygen consumption following menthol mouth swilling for the latter two thirds of a 30-minute training session than compared to no swill or ice swilling. No changes in ventilation were shown, and the perceptual responses at a group level were unclear – suggesting that whilst menthol may improve the oxygen cost of running at a fixed rating of perceived exertion, this does not correspond to improvements in thermoregulatory perception in this sample. Qualitative responses regarding the swill from the athletes involved in the exercise studies were collated and menthol was considered an enjoyable and useful strategy by the athletes. Further research is required to assess if these hedonic and utilitarian perspectives are rated as highly in more ecologically valid environments; the athletes indicated this would be the case.
The findings presented in this thesis demonstrate that a light blue or light green 0.1% menthol mouth rinse is preferred and can alleviate thermal sensation and thirst, and improve thermal comfort at rest in the heat. During exercise in a small sample of trained distance runners, menthol mouth swilling may alleviate perceptual symptoms of heat exposure without necessarily improving performance, dependent upon the running speeds chosen. Furthermore, menthol mouth swilling is considered a pleasant and potentially ergogenic strategy by athletes who have used it, suggesting that even in the absence of performance or physiological enhancements that exceed the typical coefficient of variation in performance, menthol mouth swilling is a viable nutritional support strategy for trained distance runners, when exercising in the heat
Multi-level, multi-organisational accountabilities
No full textIn the specific sector of New Zealand sport, there are wider demands than purely financial. In addition to financial sustainability, organisations have missions of winning, participation, performance development, and other, in a sector that has high emotions and passions. International scandals and increasing public demands for accountability in sport have appeared in the New Zealand media. The calls for accountability in high profile sports, lack of annual report disclosure, lack of accountability from national Olympic administrators, and the mismatch of agendas, indicates issues of sport organisations not meeting stakeholder desires and issues in the information reported to stakeholders. Within sport, players and administrators have become professional and commercial, taking on the traditional business models, while sport remains more complex regarding relationships, stakeholders, customer loyalty, engagement, with evidence of passions and emotions. The outcome is a range of issues and paradoxes. Financing creates models of membership, spectator, and commercial, across international, national, regional, and local dimensions, within the public, commercial, not-for-profit, and casual sectors
Telepresence: Time to take a close look.
Full text linkTelepresence (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telepresence) offers the possibility of providing a more interactive remote connection between people than the current go-to of Zoom, Teams or similar video conference technology. Telepresence enables the remote embodiment of a participate – taking the level of engagement up a notch.
The technology has not reached the level depicted in science fiction – think Avatar, but it does seem to have matured to a level that is worth seriously considering for a variety of remote engagement scenario's – indeed the Waikato DHB has been an enthusiastic pioneer in the area for remote health delivery (https://www.hinz.org.nz/news/395280/Clinical-robots-trialled-on-Waikato-wards-.htm)
Clarity (score)
No full textOriginal score composed for a new dance film by Karen Barbour.
Drawing upon experiences in the Himalayas and the scope for clarity and reflection in those spaces, this work is a meditative moment through dance and sound
Animal dreams
No full textAnimal Dreams by Electric Shadows
A live multimedia performance by Pauly B and Jeremy Mayall
The Meteor Theatre.
2020
A semi-improvised live performance exploring the real-time collaboration between visuals and sound. Rhythmic. Repetitive. Experimental. Gestural. Hypnotic
Surface engineering by titanium particulate injection mounding
Full text linkIn a recent study a structural hold down component was designed and produced using the particulate injection moulding (PIM) process. The material of choice was titanium due not only to the material properties but also due to the desire to create custom made components for a state-of-the-art marine vessel. On removal from the mould the green parts were seen to have an irregular surface on the top face. The irregular surface presented no through part defects and although the surface irregularities were caused by separation of the two-phases the effect was restricted to the outer surface of the parts. In a more historic study by the author the surface properties of titanium dental implants were modified by the use of adaptive mould inserts during the moulding phase of PIM. These two contrasting studies are considered and have become the basis of a current investigation looking to engineer surface irregularities in an ordered fashion.
The application of meso-machining, and additive manufacture are considered and the functionality which may arise are presented