title: A small scale study into the effect that text & background colour has on processing and self-correction rates for childrens’ on-screen reading

authors: Vanderschantz, Nicholas

subjects: children’s reading

abstract: Pedagogical practices in formal educational settings together with the nature of communication technologies in the media and elsewhere mean that children will encounter on-screen typography and screen-based learning opportunities in both formal school settings and during their daily recreational pursuits. Internationally, there is a lack of research informing what good reading practice might look like when teachers use reading material in a screen-based environment. More specifically, there is a lack of research around best practices for the design of this material for children. Greater understanding of how the colour of text and the colour of background influences the “readability” of these reading materials is required. This research sets out to determine the readability of text and background colours in on-screen books for young readers through discussion of the literature to date, as well as discussion of a small scale study which includes a rate-of-error experiment as well as qualitative feedback to provide greater knowledge of the most positive reading environments for children.

text: A small scale study into the effect that text & background colour has on processing and self-correction rates for childrens’ on-screen reading Pedagogical practices in formal educational settings together with the nature of communication technologies in the media and elsewhere mean that children will encounter on-screen typography and screen-based learning opportunities in both formal school settings and during their daily recreational pursuits. Internationally, there is a lack of research informing what good reading practice might look like when teachers use reading material in a screen-based environment. More specifically, there is a lack of research around best practices for the design of this material for children. Greater understanding of how the colour of text and the colour of background influences the “readability” of these reading materials is required. This research sets out to determine the readability of text and background colours in on-screen books for young readers through discussion of the literature to date, as well as discussion of a small scale study which includes a rate-of-error experiment as well as qualitative feedback to provide greater knowledge of the most positive reading environments for children.

year: 2010

title: Harmful online speech: An analysis of New Zealand's Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 to combat cyberbullying

authors: Williamson, Myra Elsie Jane Bell

subjects: Cyberbullying

abstract: An analysis of the evolution and application of New Zealand's Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 with comparative and international legal analysis.

text: Harmful online speech: An analysis of New Zealand's Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 to combat cyberbullying An analysis of the evolution and application of New Zealand's Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 with comparative and international legal analysis.

year: 2018

title: Changing patterns of Otitis Media in the Waikato region during the Covid Pandemic

authors: Becker, Andre

subjects: COVID-19 pandemic

abstract: Introduction. Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common condition of children encountered in general practice. A proportion of children develop otitis media with effusion (OME), which may require tympanostomy and ventilation tube insertion. Aim. The aim of the study was to compare the incidence of AOM in Māori and New Zealand (NZ) European children in general practice and the referral practices to secondary care for tympanostomy and ventilation tube insertion. Methods. The study was conducted in two parts: (1) an analysis of the incidence of AOM and OME in a rural Waikato general practice (Ōtorohanga) with a high Māori population over a 2-year period; and (2) an analysis of all referrals to the otorhinolaryngology (ORL) department at Waikato District Health Board and tympanostomy and ventilation tube insertion by this service over the same period. Results. The incidence of AOM was similar in Māori compared with NZ European children. The incidence declined significantly between 2019 and 2020 and 50% of children with AOM were treated with antibiotics. Referral rates to the ORL department were greater for Māori compared with NZ European children as were tympanostomy and ventilation tube insertion rates. Discussion. Although AOM is common, OME was rarely diagnosed. The clinical guidelines regarding antibiotic use for common conditions are not being readily adopted and further research is needed into this matter. The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial effect on demand both in general practice and in the hospital sector. This may have been due to a reduction in the incidence of AOM or due to system changes caused by the pandemic.

text: Changing patterns of Otitis Media in the Waikato region during the Covid Pandemic Introduction. Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common condition of children encountered in general practice. A proportion of children develop otitis media with effusion (OME), which may require tympanostomy and ventilation tube insertion. Aim. The aim of the study was to compare the incidence of AOM in Māori and New Zealand (NZ) European children in general practice and the referral practices to secondary care for tympanostomy and ventilation tube insertion. Methods. The study was conducted in two parts: (1) an analysis of the incidence of AOM and OME in a rural Waikato general practice (Ōtorohanga) with a high Māori population over a 2-year period; and (2) an analysis of all referrals to the otorhinolaryngology (ORL) department at Waikato District Health Board and tympanostomy and ventilation tube insertion by this service over the same period. Results. The incidence of AOM was similar in Māori compared with NZ European children. The incidence declined significantly between 2019 and 2020 and 50% of children with AOM were treated with antibiotics. Referral rates to the ORL department were greater for Māori compared with NZ European children as were tympanostomy and ventilation tube insertion rates. Discussion. Although AOM is common, OME was rarely diagnosed. The clinical guidelines regarding antibiotic use for common conditions are not being readily adopted and further research is needed into this matter. The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial effect on demand both in general practice and in the hospital sector. This may have been due to a reduction in the incidence of AOM or due to system changes caused by the pandemic.

year: 2023