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Revitalising higher education: Insights from Te Puna Aurei LearnFest 2022
No full textPuna Aurei / LearnFest is an annual teaching and learning symposium hosted by Te Puna Ako - Centre for Tertiary Teaching & Learning at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato / The University of Waikato in Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand. This event, since its inception in 2016, has evolved from a local face-to-face gathering to a global online forum, particularly during the Covid pandemic.
The 2022 edition, hosted online in partnership with Cardiff University (UK) as the world emerged from the Covid pandemic, had the theme of ‘Revitalisation’. This acknowledged the broad spectrum of rejuvenation underway in higher education, whether institutionally, within discipline-specific teaching, or regarding individual practice.
This volume, the first of its kind from LearnFest, is timely, as it reflects on the profound disruptions caused by the global pandemic across educational landscapes. Although the final outcome of these changes is still unknown, it is clear that the dynamics of teaching and learning have shifted dramatically.
The volume is structured thematically, with the first theme ‘Key Challenges’ exploring the shifts and reconstructions of professional identity post-Covid, the challenges of indigenising a largely Western philosophy curriculum, and potential positive shifts from the pandemic's constraints.
The theme of ‘Motivation’ scrutinises the dynamics of student and staff engagement, including studies on adult language learning, collaborative experiments, student course evaluations, and the impact of Covid on motivation levels.
The third theme of ‘Gamification’ highlights how innovative teaching pedagogies that embed computer and role-playing games within the classroom can enhance learning experiences and outcomes.
Next, ‘Confronting Climate Change’ discusses pragmatic and strategic approaches to meaningfully integrating climate change into both curricula (at an institutional level) and classroom learning (for the individual teacher).
Finally, the theme of ‘Revitalising English Medium Instruction’ explores the disruptions and adaptations in international education that were driven by the pandemic, and showcases some practical responses to the abrupt online transition and difficulties in language skill development that resulted.
Revitalising Higher Education: Insights from Te Puna Aurei LearnFest 2022 showcases the dynamic shifts in teaching and learning taking place in contemporary higher education. The various case studies and reflective discussions will be of value to anyone interested in the revitalisation of higher education teaching and learning post-pandemic
The development of pre-service teachers’ competence to teach mental calculation strategies
No full textBackground: There is a concern in South Africa that pre-service teachers do not have the required knowledge to teach mathematics in primary school and to develop learners’ number sense. In this study, pre-service teachers taught the mental strategy of bridging through ten through a structured teaching sequence from the Mental Starters Assessment Project (MSAP) materials as a work-integrated learning opportunity.
Aim: We ask the question: How do the MSAP materials support pre-service teachers in competently teaching mental mathematics?
Setting: Thirty-eight Bachelor of Education (Foundation Phase) third-year preservice teachers from an Eastern Cape university participated in this study.
Methods: Participants taught the strategy during their Teaching Practice, quantitatively analysed the results of their classes and reflected on the experience in a questionnaire and focus group interviews.
Results: Results indicate that the teachers were relatively successful in their teaching of the strategy; however, all indicated that they taught the sequence for a more extended period than recommended. Qualitative responses provide evidence of the teachers’ development in their knowledge of learners and their characteristics, general pedagogical knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and knowledge of educational contexts.
Conclusion: This study offers evidence of the professional learning of pre-service teachers that resulted from taking an integrated approach to facilitating a mathematics teaching methodology course through requiring a work-integrated learning component.
Contribution: We argue that such an approach is necessary for pre-service teachers to be adequately prepared for the challenges of teaching mathematics in the South African classroom
Bioinspired surface modification of mussel shells and their application as a biogenic filler in polypropylene composites
No full textThis study explores the potential of mussel shells (MS) as biogenic fillers in polymer composites. The chemical composition and crystal structures of MS were characterised. To improve MS filler dispersion and adhesion within a polypropylene (PP) matrix, three surface modification methods were evaluated: polydopamine (PDA) coating, maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) modification, and PDA/MAPP co-modification. The PDA coating, inspired by the adhesive properties of mussel foot proteins, successfully functionalized the MS surface, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Thermodynamic analysis, based on contact angle measurements, revealed that MAPP and PDA/MAPP modifications reduced surface energies and potential energy differences. These changes enhanced filler dispersion and interfacial bonding by increasing hydrophobicity and reducing agglomeration in the PP matrix. Consequently, PP composites with 20% PDA/MAPP-modified MS fillers exhibited a 2.9% increase in tensile strength and a 7.5% increase in flexural strength compared to neat PP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also showed reduced filler-matrix debonding and fewer voids. The proposed mechanism attributes these macroscopic property enhancements to the ability of the PDA coating to facilitate chemical and hydrogen bonding between MS fillers and MAPP
From screen to soul: A study of digital tools connecting Hare Krishna youth with their cultural heritage.
No full textAs human society advances in modernity, cultural traditions that provide meaning and inner fulfillment can become obscured. This study explored the utilisation of digital technology in educational settings to enhance the engagement of Hare Krishna students with their cultural heritage. It focused on exploring the balance between structured learning and the freedom for students to explore their interests and discover new aspects about their culture. The study was qualitative in nature, involving six students and seven parents. The students created digital videos that illustrated their lifestyle and culture, presenting tradition through a contemporary medium. The videos were presented at an evening event to their parents and the topic of incorporating digital technology to explore and present the Hare Krishna culture was discussed. Findings indicated that the children demonstrated significant intrinsic motivation, and the purposeful use of technology combined with clear learning objectives, enabled them to deeply engage with both the process and the content. The study also revealed the importance of personal interactions in educational contexts, suggesting that while technology serves as a valuable tool, it should complement rather than replace traditional methods of cultural transmission. This research contributes to the broader discourse on educational technology by demonstrating how digital tools can be effectively utilised to support the sharing of cultural heritage and facilitate dynamic connections
Effect of spacers on axial capacity of cold-formed steel back-to-back gapped channel sections
No full textThe use of cold-formed steel (CFS) gapped back-to-back channel sections is becoming popular, especially in New Zealand and South-East Asia. Introducing a gap between the back-to-back channels enhances resistance to lateral-torsional buckling. Previous research has investigated gapped built-up channel sections with spacers but hasn't determined the optimal number of spacers relative to length. Also, little attention has been given to how transverse spacing affects the axial capacity of these sections. This study fills those gaps by developing and validating a non-linear elastoplastic finite element (FE) model against experimental data. A parametric study of 1000 FE models examine the effects of column length, CFS section thickness, materials properties, and spacer spacing, on the axial capacity of gapped built-up columns. Key findings include: (1) Up to a column length of 4000 mm, three equally spaced spacers optimize compressive strength in gapped sections. (2) Optimal transverse spacing aligns with the channel web depth, offering no significant strength increase beyond 1.5 times the web depth. (3) Gapped sections show a substantial average increase (424%) in compressive strength over single-channel configurations, and a moderate improvement (125%) compared to non-gapped built-up sections. (4) FEA results closely match the predictions of AS/NZS4600:2018, differing by only 5% in compressive strength
Responsibility & reincarnation: A gaudiya vaishnava approach to compatibilism and sourcehood
No full textThis work explores the possible integration of Gaudiya Vaishnava theology to fortify the case of a compatibilist understanding of free will and determinism. As the debate surrounding moral responsibility persists, the compatibilist approach stands as a promising and popular position among philosophers, yet has not been able to successfully overcome its shortcomings concerning the ability to provide a satisfactory account of sourcehood that is required for the possession of moral responsibility for our actions. In response to the limitations of modern compatibilist theories, this work illuminates how adopting a few relevant Gaudiya Vaishnava metaphysical concepts – particularly, the beliefs of an eternal soul capable of reincarnation – enhances the compatibilist stance by offering a compelling account of sourcehood that preserves both our intuitions and rationality. Specifically, this work offers both a soft-line and hard-line reply to Derk Pereboom’s Four-Case Manipulation Argument, and a response to Galen Strawson’s Basic Argument. By tapping into the insights of Indian philosophy that is rooted in the Ancient Vedas, this study also demonstrates the significant value that non-Eurocentric philosophy can provide for our contemporary philosophical discourse
Development of an innovative and efficient urban vegetation monitoring system for sustainable urban ecology
No full textIn the rapidly urbanizing environment of New Zealand, monitoring and preserving urban green spaces are crucial for ecological balance and sustainability. Urban vegetation significantly contributes to the ecological and social fabric of city life, making its distribution, health, and diversity essential for effective urban management and environmental protection. This research addresses a significant gap in current methodologies for monitoring urban greenery by introducing
a more efficient, accurate, and less labor-intensive approach using deep learning technology.
Extensive data collection, preprocessing, and training were key components of this research. Image collection routes were meticulously planned to ensure a comprehensive dataset representing diverse urban vegetation. A major challenge was the quality and privacy concerns within the dataset. Continuous image capturing in urban areas led to issues like blurry, repetitive, and nonvegetative images. To mitigate these issues, diverse filters were introduced to enhance the dataset's quality and ensure privacy protection. Focusing on advanced computer vision systems, this thesis employed the YOLOv5 and YOLOv8 models for automated urban vegetation detection using RGB images from car-mounted cameras. The models were chosen for their effectiveness in image recognition, with various image augmentation techniques and annotation tools enriching the training process. The thesis also explored transfer learning and layer freezing techniques in model training, along with a unique method of using larger bounding boxes for tree annotations to enhance the detection of specific tree species.
The models' performance in vegetation detection was evaluated through precision and recall rates, highlighting their reliability and efficiency, with YOLOv5x demonstrating the highest precision (0.93) and recall (0.90) for urban vegetation detection. In tree species detection, the YOLOv5m with Transfer Learning model achieved a strong balance of precision (0.95), recall (0.77), and accuracy (0.86), while YOLOv8m with Transfer Learning excelled in recall (0.93), proving useful for applications requiring high true positive identification. For specific tree detection, the YOLOv8m_Bigger_size model led with high precision (0.95), recall (0.98), and the top mAP50-95 score (0.79) in validation. These results underscore the models' applicability in diverse urban scenarios and reinforce the feasibility of this approach for large-scale urban vegetation monitoring. The research findings indicate that deep learning technology, particularly the YOLOv5m and YOLOv8m models, significantly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of urban vegetation monitoring. The innovative use of car-mounted cameras for data collection marks
a significant advancement over traditional methods, enabling the capture of large-scale urban vegetation data with minimal intrusion and high efficiency.
In summary, this study demonstrates that applying advanced computer vision systems can markedly improve urban vegetation monitoring. The integration of YOLOv5 and YOLOv8 models in New Zealand's urban landscapes offers a novel approach to address the challenges of urbanization. The models are adaptable for use in other New Zealand cities with access to similar urban vegetation datasheets, crucial for evaluating model accuracy and enhancing precision in future models. This thesis advances our understanding of urban vegetation monitoring using computer vision and highlights the potential of deep learning models in enhancing environmental conservation efforts. The insights and methodologies presented provide valuable tools for urban environmental management and suggest new directions for future research and applications in this critical area
The effect of biochar as a partial replacement of cement in cement mortar mixture and its mechanical properties
No full textCarbon Dioxide (CO2) pollution is one of the leading causes of present day environmental issues. The construction industry, having a huge cement production contributes to these issues such as global warming and climate change. According to Mota-Panizio et al., (2023), the third largest CO2 emission contributor is cement production. Several research has been done on agricultural waste solutions which includes the use of rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, and biochar as a partial replacement to cement mortar and concrete. This study will focus on the use and benefits of biochar as a partial replacement to cement, not only results in a decrease in usage of cement, lessening CO2 but as this study will show, it will also help in improving the mechanical properties of cement mortar. The biochar used in this study is a Pinus Radiata Sawdust Biochar, a commercial biochar made in New Zealand. This study finds that 2-3% of biochar as a partial replacement to cement in cement mortar is the optimum percentage with a D50, 0.0172mm particle size and with an 818m2/kg specific area, in which the mechanical properties would prove to be better than that of a pure cement mixture. To determine the internal curing ability of biochar, it is observed in the 3rd batch , a mix with 2% of biochar water cured for 3 days has the same 28-day compressive strength as the control mix was cured for 7 days. It is also found in this experimental study 1-3% of biochar replacement with cement mortar gave increased compressive strength compared to plain cement mortar in all days of curing.
While biochar can be produced from agricultural wastes, it can also be derived from forest waste. Not only does it help in eliminating CO2 emission, it also adds commercial value to forestry waste providing an opportunity to use rather than discard it. One consequence of climate change is an increase in the number of extreme weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. The effects of this were made worse in some parts of the country due to accumulated forestry waste which blocked waterways making the flooding worse and damaging essential infrastructure.
The main questions this study asks are: How does Biochar influence the mechanical properties of cement mortar such as flexural strength, flowability, and compressive strength? How is the incorporation of Biochar to cement mortar significant in lessening the increase of CO2 emission? And In which ways can the use of Biochar help improve forest waste management most especially in New Zealand? To answer these questions, conducted tests of flowability, compressive strength, flexural strength, TGA, and SEM Analysis that would determine which percentage best depicts the effect of biochar to cement mortar and analyze the mechanical properties of cement mortar when combined with Biochar
Influence of ageing heating rates on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-5553 alloy
No full textThe Ti-5553 alloy, a high-strength β-titanium alloy, is increasingly recognised for its exceptional mechanical properties, making it a preferred material for critical aerospace applications. This thesis examines the effects of varying ageing heating rates on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the forged Ti-5553 alloy, focusing on hardness, tensile properties, and fatigue performance. Following solution treatment at 810°C, the alloy was aged at 610°C with heating rates of 1°C/min, 5°C/min, 10°C/min, and 15°C/min. Detailed microstructural analysis was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X ray Spectroscopy (EDX). The microstructural examination revealed that different ageing heating rates caused only minor variations in the alloy's bimodal microstructure. Slower ageing heating rates produced a relatively fine, homogeneously distributed primary α phase within the β grains, while faster rates resulted in a slightly coarser bimodal microstructure. Chemical homogeneity analysis confirmed a consistent distribution of critical elements, with α stabilisers concentrated in the primary α phase and β stabilisers in the β phase, ensuring stable phase compositions across all samples. The observed slight microstructural changes were reflected in the alloy's mechanical properties. Hardness across different ageing heating rates varied between 357.4 HV and 372.6 HV. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) declined from 1307.2 MPa at 1°C/min to 1264.5 MPa at 15°C/min, while ductility improved from 15.6% to 17.1% over the same range. The alloy demonstrated good fatigue resistance at lower stress amplitudes and ageing heating rates, enduring over 10 million cycles at 337.5 MPa under the 1°C/min condition. However, fatigue life decreased with higher stress amplitudes and ageing heating rates, highlighting the alloy's sensitivity to more extreme conditions. In summary, while the varying ageing heating rates resulted in only minor changes to the microstructure, these alterations had some impact on the mechanical properties of the Ti-5553 alloy. These findings highlight the importance of precise microstructural control in optimising the alloy's performance, especially in applications where achieving a balance between strength, ductility, and fatigue resistance is crucial
Recyclable hemp hurd fibre-reinforced PLA composites for 3D printing
No full textIn this study, 3D printing filaments were produced from hemp hurd fibre-reinforced polylactide (PLA) composites. Hemp hurd microfibres were obtained through alkaline digestion followed by a bleaching treatment and were used to produce PLA-based composites with 20–40 wt% fibre content for fused deposition modelling. Tensile testing of 3D printed composites revealed a gradual increase of Young's modulus with the addition of fibres, reaching a maximum of 7.1 GPa for the 40 wt% composite - a two-fold increase to neat PLA. However, tensile strength was only improved for the 20 wt% formulation, with an increase of 8% in comparison with neat PLA. Nevertheless, the thermo-mechanical properties of the composites were significantly enhanced with the addition of fibres. In addition, physical objects were printed from the recycled filaments to assess their recyclability and printability. It was found that the recycled filaments maintained comparable mechanical properties and printability after three recycling cycles