title: AFOMP Policy Statement No. 3: recommendations for the education and training of medical physicists in AFOMP countries

authors: Round, W. Howell

subjects: education

abstract: AFOMP recognizes that clinical medical physicists should demonstrate that they are competent to practice their profession by obtaining appropriate education, training and supervised experience in the specialties of medical physics in which they practice, as well as having a basic knowledge of other specialties. To help its member countries to achieve this, AFOMP has developed this policy to provide guidance when developing medical physicist education and training programs. The policy is compatible with the standards being promoted by the International Organization for Medical Physics and the International Medical Physics Certification Board.

text: AFOMP Policy Statement No. 3: recommendations for the education and training of medical physicists in AFOMP countries AFOMP recognizes that clinical medical physicists should demonstrate that they are competent to practice their profession by obtaining appropriate education, training and supervised experience in the specialties of medical physics in which they practice, as well as having a basic knowledge of other specialties. To help its member countries to achieve this, AFOMP has developed this policy to provide guidance when developing medical physicist education and training programs. The policy is compatible with the standards being promoted by the International Organization for Medical Physics and the International Medical Physics Certification Board.

year: 2011

title: Inclusive education for children with disabilities in Fiji: Teacher perspectives and attitudes

authors: Daveta, Mereoni Laveti

subjects: inclusive education

abstract: The purpose of this research was to examine teacher perspectives and
attitudes on inclusive education for children with disabilities in Fiji. Teachers'
perspectives and attitudes are crucial in providing insights that could
help improve education and services for children with disabilities in regular
schools in Fiji.
A qualitative approach using semi structured interviews was selected as
the methodology for this research. Nine teachers from nine different
schools in Suva, the capital city of Fiji, participated in this research. The
nine participants were selected from three different school settings. Three
of the participants were from special schools, three were from primary
schools and three were from secondary schools.
Data collected showed that teachers support inclusive education, however,
they had reservations on the inclusion of students with severe disabilities.
Several factors were identified to influence teachers' attitudes towards inclusion.
The most common factors were severity of disability that the students
had, inadequate training of teachers on teaching students with disabilities,
inadequate government funding, lack of specialised resource personnel
and lack of appropriate equipment and resources to support students
and teachers in the teaching learning process. Limited commitment
from the Ministry of Education and limited participation and consultation of
teachers on policy and curriculum design were also identified as contributing
factors for non inclusion of students with disabilities in regular schools.
Teachers need to change their perspectives and attitudes and schools
need to be welcoming and prepared to accept all students with disabilities
into the general education system in Fiji.

text: Inclusive education for children with disabilities in Fiji: Teacher perspectives and attitudes The purpose of this research was to examine teacher perspectives and
attitudes on inclusive education for children with disabilities in Fiji. Teachers'
perspectives and attitudes are crucial in providing insights that could
help improve education and services for children with disabilities in regular
schools in Fiji.
A qualitative approach using semi structured interviews was selected as
the methodology for this research. Nine teachers from nine different
schools in Suva, the capital city of Fiji, participated in this research. The
nine participants were selected from three different school settings. Three
of the participants were from special schools, three were from primary
schools and three were from secondary schools.
Data collected showed that teachers support inclusive education, however,
they had reservations on the inclusion of students with severe disabilities.
Several factors were identified to influence teachers' attitudes towards inclusion.
The most common factors were severity of disability that the students
had, inadequate training of teachers on teaching students with disabilities,
inadequate government funding, lack of specialised resource personnel
and lack of appropriate equipment and resources to support students
and teachers in the teaching learning process. Limited commitment
from the Ministry of Education and limited participation and consultation of
teachers on policy and curriculum design were also identified as contributing
factors for non inclusion of students with disabilities in regular schools.
Teachers need to change their perspectives and attitudes and schools
need to be welcoming and prepared to accept all students with disabilities
into the general education system in Fiji.

year: 2009

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