title: Interactive teaching approach in year one university physics in Taiwan: Implementation and evaluation

authors: Chang, Wheijen

abstract: We report on the design and outcomes of an intervention teaching program that was implemented in a tertiary physics class in Taiwan. By providing the students with context-rich questions and sufficient time for thinking and discussion, the program aimed to stimulate students' intellectual engagement and intended to promote their participation in learning practice. The program was assessed by interviewing students (N=14) as well as by surveying the students' opinions in confidential questionnaires (N=380). The results indicate the successful nature of the program in terms of promoting engagement in learning situation, students taking more responsibility for their learning and promoting interest and enjoyment in learning physics. However, there was no evidence to suggest an improvement in traditional tests.

text: Interactive teaching approach in year one university physics in Taiwan: Implementation and evaluation We report on the design and outcomes of an intervention teaching program that was implemented in a tertiary physics class in Taiwan. By providing the students with context-rich questions and sufficient time for thinking and discussion, the program aimed to stimulate students' intellectual engagement and intended to promote their participation in learning practice. The program was assessed by interviewing students (N=14) as well as by surveying the students' opinions in confidential questionnaires (N=380). The results indicate the successful nature of the program in terms of promoting engagement in learning situation, students taking more responsibility for their learning and promoting interest and enjoyment in learning physics. However, there was no evidence to suggest an improvement in traditional tests.

year: 2002

title: Trade-offs between multifunctionality and profit in tropical smallholder landscapes

authors: Grass, Ingo

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Land-use transitions can enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers but potential economic-ecological trade-offs remain poorly understood. Here, we present an interdisciplinary study of the environmental, social and economic consequences of land-use transitions in a tropical smallholder landscape on Sumatra, Indonesia. We find widespread biodiversity-profit trade-offs resulting from land-use transitions from forest and agroforestry systems to rubber and oil palm monocultures, for 26,894 aboveground and belowground species and whole-ecosystem multidiversity. Despite variation between ecosystem functions, profit gains come at the expense of ecosystem multifunctionality, indicating far-reaching ecosystem deterioration. We identify landscape compositions that can mitigate trade-offs under optimal land-use allocation but also show that intensive monocultures always lead to higher profits. These findings suggest that, to reduce losses in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, changes in economic incentive structures through well-designed policies are urgently needed.

text: Trade-offs between multifunctionality and profit in tropical smallholder landscapes Land-use transitions can enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers but potential economic-ecological trade-offs remain poorly understood. Here, we present an interdisciplinary study of the environmental, social and economic consequences of land-use transitions in a tropical smallholder landscape on Sumatra, Indonesia. We find widespread biodiversity-profit trade-offs resulting from land-use transitions from forest and agroforestry systems to rubber and oil palm monocultures, for 26,894 aboveground and belowground species and whole-ecosystem multidiversity. Despite variation between ecosystem functions, profit gains come at the expense of ecosystem multifunctionality, indicating far-reaching ecosystem deterioration. We identify landscape compositions that can mitigate trade-offs under optimal land-use allocation but also show that intensive monocultures always lead to higher profits. These findings suggest that, to reduce losses in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, changes in economic incentive structures through well-designed policies are urgently needed.

year: 2020

title: A chance for ontology

authors: Mika, Carl Te Hira

subjects: Māori education

abstract: This paper speaks to Hook’s thesis that a National Māori University needs to be established. However, it sets about this task by designating Hook’s intended central concerns to the outer reaches of his article’s limits, and moving towards the core those more ephemeral issues, which, despite their haziness, still demand attention. Hook builds an argument premised on assertions to do with the functional need for a National Māori University, and only hints at the nature of the knowledge to be experienced at such an institution – yet as the commentator I found that the various elements of that peripheral issue coalesced to demand my attention. In this peer commentary I consider how issues to do with the very nature of knowledge – if indeed we want to call it that – become absolutely vital (and hence central) to any discussion about a National Māori University.

text: A chance for ontology This paper speaks to Hook’s thesis that a National Māori University needs to be established. However, it sets about this task by designating Hook’s intended central concerns to the outer reaches of his article’s limits, and moving towards the core those more ephemeral issues, which, despite their haziness, still demand attention. Hook builds an argument premised on assertions to do with the functional need for a National Māori University, and only hints at the nature of the knowledge to be experienced at such an institution – yet as the commentator I found that the various elements of that peripheral issue coalesced to demand my attention. In this peer commentary I consider how issues to do with the very nature of knowledge – if indeed we want to call it that – become absolutely vital (and hence central) to any discussion about a National Māori University.

year: 2010