title: Impact of environmental education on beginning preservice teachers’ environmental literacy

authors: Dada, Deborah O.

abstract: One of the goals of environmental education is the development of environ- mental literacy. The development of environmental literacy for preservice teachers is critical if they are to be con dent and competent to deliver envi- ronmental education in schools. Little is known about the impact of envi- ronmental education on preservice teachers’ environmental literacy and their subsequent practices as teachers within schools in New Zealand. This study used a mixed-methods approach with a pretest and posttest design to examine the environmental literacy of preservice teachers enrolled in a compulsory environmental education paper as part of their Bachelor of Teaching program at a New Zealand university. The perceptions of the pre- service teachers’ preparedness to teach environmental education was also examined. Findings indicate that despite only slight shifts in preservice teachers’ environmental literacy, their con dence to teach environmental education signi cantly increased after completing the paper. Increases in the strength of correlations between environmental knowledge and affec- tive dispositions were observed upon completing the environmental edu- cation paper. Implications of ndings for teacher education programs are discussed. This study could inform curriculum design and teaching and learning practices for effectively preparing preservice teachers to promote the development of the environmental literacy of students in their future schools.

text: Impact of environmental education on beginning preservice teachers’ environmental literacy One of the goals of environmental education is the development of environ- mental literacy. The development of environmental literacy for preservice teachers is critical if they are to be con dent and competent to deliver envi- ronmental education in schools. Little is known about the impact of envi- ronmental education on preservice teachers’ environmental literacy and their subsequent practices as teachers within schools in New Zealand. This study used a mixed-methods approach with a pretest and posttest design to examine the environmental literacy of preservice teachers enrolled in a compulsory environmental education paper as part of their Bachelor of Teaching program at a New Zealand university. The perceptions of the pre- service teachers’ preparedness to teach environmental education was also examined. Findings indicate that despite only slight shifts in preservice teachers’ environmental literacy, their con dence to teach environmental education signi cantly increased after completing the paper. Increases in the strength of correlations between environmental knowledge and affec- tive dispositions were observed upon completing the environmental edu- cation paper. Implications of ndings for teacher education programs are discussed. This study could inform curriculum design and teaching and learning practices for effectively preparing preservice teachers to promote the development of the environmental literacy of students in their future schools.

year: 2017

title: Content-Based Language Learning in a Digital Library

authors: Wu, Shaoqun

subjects: computer science

abstract: Digital libraries have untapped potential for supporting language teaching and learning. This paper describes a new scheme for automating topic-specific language learning using a specially built digital library. Three exercises of different types are generated automatically from the library content: one that learners undertake individually, one in which learners collaborate in pairs, and one in which a group of learners compete. The system aims to foster content-based language learning, which greatly increases students’ motivation, fosters long-term recollection, and can be culturally situated in appropriate ways.

text: Content-Based Language Learning in a Digital Library Digital libraries have untapped potential for supporting language teaching and learning. This paper describes a new scheme for automating topic-specific language learning using a specially built digital library. Three exercises of different types are generated automatically from the library content: one that learners undertake individually, one in which learners collaborate in pairs, and one in which a group of learners compete. The system aims to foster content-based language learning, which greatly increases students’ motivation, fosters long-term recollection, and can be culturally situated in appropriate ways.

year: 2007

title: Kōauau auē, e auau tō au e! The Kōauau in Te Ao Māori.

authors: Komene, Jo'el

subjects: Kōauau

abstract: In recent years there has been a revival of interest in traditional Māori musical instruments, including the kōauau. This thesis studies kōauau informed by a Māori framework, giving weight to traditional Māori knowledge and practices, emphasizing the spiritual dimensions of the instrument in its origins and its functions. The thesis defines the kōauau and how it is distinct from other taonga pūoro in its physical characteristics. It then presents the traditions associated with the kōauau which link its origins to the atua and their natural world, especially Raukatauri, together with other traditions from many rohe throughout Aotearoa.  The thesis describes the traditional tools and methods of construction, the role of atua in the construction process, materials used for kōauau, how they were embellished, and their use as adornments. The techniques for playing kōauau are analyzed, and there is a discussion of the occasions on which kōauau were played, and the purposes of performing on kōauau. The thesis also presents the texts of several traditional waiata kōauau. A number of traditional kōauau in storage at the Auckland Museum were able to be examined to confirm and extend documentary evidence about materials, construction methods, and embellishment. The discussion also comments on the quot;voicesquot; for those kōauau in the museum collection that could be sounded. The decline in kōauau performance during the twentieth century is outlined, and there is a summary of successful efforts in the later twentieth century to revive taonga pūoro, including kōauau. The thesis brings together in concise form much scattered information so that current and future performers with kōauau are able to give full consideration to its place in te ao Māori.

text: Kōauau auē, e auau tō au e! The Kōauau in Te Ao Māori. In recent years there has been a revival of interest in traditional Māori musical instruments, including the kōauau. This thesis studies kōauau informed by a Māori framework, giving weight to traditional Māori knowledge and practices, emphasizing the spiritual dimensions of the instrument in its origins and its functions. The thesis defines the kōauau and how it is distinct from other taonga pūoro in its physical characteristics. It then presents the traditions associated with the kōauau which link its origins to the atua and their natural world, especially Raukatauri, together with other traditions from many rohe throughout Aotearoa.  The thesis describes the traditional tools and methods of construction, the role of atua in the construction process, materials used for kōauau, how they were embellished, and their use as adornments. The techniques for playing kōauau are analyzed, and there is a discussion of the occasions on which kōauau were played, and the purposes of performing on kōauau. The thesis also presents the texts of several traditional waiata kōauau. A number of traditional kōauau in storage at the Auckland Museum were able to be examined to confirm and extend documentary evidence about materials, construction methods, and embellishment. The discussion also comments on the quot;voicesquot; for those kōauau in the museum collection that could be sounded. The decline in kōauau performance during the twentieth century is outlined, and there is a summary of successful efforts in the later twentieth century to revive taonga pūoro, including kōauau. The thesis brings together in concise form much scattered information so that current and future performers with kōauau are able to give full consideration to its place in te ao Māori.

year: 2009