title: Chinese international students' experience of studying online in New Zealand.

authors: Earl Rinehart, (Suzanne) Kerry

subjects: eEducation

abstract: Reasons distance students seek online study options include pursuing subjects of interest, taking subjects not available to them locally, or gaining a qualification from an institution of specialisation or reputation. However, when students travel to another country for study, what prompts these students to elect to study online? International students in New Zealand have the opportunity to study online through most tertiary institutions. This paper reports on a research project investigating Chinese graduate students' experience of learning online while in New Zealand, and the impact of culture on their learning. This study highlights the benefits of particular aspects of instructional design and makes recommendations to help eEducation educators maximise the benefits of online learning for international students.

text: Chinese international students' experience of studying online in New Zealand. Reasons distance students seek online study options include pursuing subjects of interest, taking subjects not available to them locally, or gaining a qualification from an institution of specialisation or reputation. However, when students travel to another country for study, what prompts these students to elect to study online? International students in New Zealand have the opportunity to study online through most tertiary institutions. This paper reports on a research project investigating Chinese graduate students' experience of learning online while in New Zealand, and the impact of culture on their learning. This study highlights the benefits of particular aspects of instructional design and makes recommendations to help eEducation educators maximise the benefits of online learning for international students.

year: 2011

title: Dynamic analysis of the WESMO FSAE car’s suspension

authors: Kopf, Larissa

subjects: WESMO

abstract: Over the years motorsport has become a large part of society with many millions of dollars spent on the design and development of the cars. However, with many racing series evening out the playing field between low and high budget teams by introducing restrictions, especially around engine size, suspension and vehicle dynamics analysis have become a big factor in reducing lap times. This is true for high end racing such as Formula 1 down to entry level racing such as Formulae SAE, a racing series where tertiary students design and manufacture single seater race cars.
The following research was centred on the vehicle dynamic analysis of the SAE car manufactured by the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand, in 2018. In particular, the focus was on suspension tuning and understanding the relationship between suspension and tyre parameters.
Theoretical models were developed based on geometric data and tyre data available for the car. Furthermore, the effect of spring rate, camber angle, tyre pressure and damping rates on traction coefficients were investigated. A low tyre pressure (8 PSI), as well as a high pressure (14 PSI), reduced the lateral force capable of being produced during cornering. A softer spring at the rear (225 lbs/in) allowed more grip and a stiffer front (250 lbs/in) allowed for a good response during steering input, whereas a change in camber between 0° and 3° was negligible on the traction coefficient.
The theoretical models were verified using track data gathered by sensors on the car and logged through a CDL3 MoTeC dash data logger. The lap time for a 1.2 km track could be decreased by up to seven seconds by tuning the suspension parameters to increase the grip of the car during cornering. This was achieved by decreasing the low speed rebound damping on the shocks to allow more compliance between the road and the tyre reducing understeer. Different methods of diagnosing understeer were investigated as the car did not have a yaw sensor. A comparison between front and rear tyre slip angles (calculated based on logged data) gave the most accurate results compared to purely investigating the steering wheel angle or calculating the difference between wheel angle and Ackermann angle. Furthermore, the amount of roll was optimised by implementing a soft antiroll bar at the front and the rear of the car, allowing enough roll for driver feedback but limiting it to eliminate jacking of the wheel.
Overall the beneficial effect of correct and in-depth suspension tuning was found to be substantial. Good tuning, however, is not a remedy for badly designed suspension. The 2018 WESMO car had a well-designed suspension, making tuning possible and beneficial. If the 2018 car’s suspension had been tuned properly, the team could have potentially placed third instead of eighth in the autocross event at the 2018 Formula SAE competition at Winton Motor Raceway in Australia.

text: Dynamic analysis of the WESMO FSAE car’s suspension Over the years motorsport has become a large part of society with many millions of dollars spent on the design and development of the cars. However, with many racing series evening out the playing field between low and high budget teams by introducing restrictions, especially around engine size, suspension and vehicle dynamics analysis have become a big factor in reducing lap times. This is true for high end racing such as Formula 1 down to entry level racing such as Formulae SAE, a racing series where tertiary students design and manufacture single seater race cars.
The following research was centred on the vehicle dynamic analysis of the SAE car manufactured by the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand, in 2018. In particular, the focus was on suspension tuning and understanding the relationship between suspension and tyre parameters.
Theoretical models were developed based on geometric data and tyre data available for the car. Furthermore, the effect of spring rate, camber angle, tyre pressure and damping rates on traction coefficients were investigated. A low tyre pressure (8 PSI), as well as a high pressure (14 PSI), reduced the lateral force capable of being produced during cornering. A softer spring at the rear (225 lbs/in) allowed more grip and a stiffer front (250 lbs/in) allowed for a good response during steering input, whereas a change in camber between 0° and 3° was negligible on the traction coefficient.
The theoretical models were verified using track data gathered by sensors on the car and logged through a CDL3 MoTeC dash data logger. The lap time for a 1.2 km track could be decreased by up to seven seconds by tuning the suspension parameters to increase the grip of the car during cornering. This was achieved by decreasing the low speed rebound damping on the shocks to allow more compliance between the road and the tyre reducing understeer. Different methods of diagnosing understeer were investigated as the car did not have a yaw sensor. A comparison between front and rear tyre slip angles (calculated based on logged data) gave the most accurate results compared to purely investigating the steering wheel angle or calculating the difference between wheel angle and Ackermann angle. Furthermore, the amount of roll was optimised by implementing a soft antiroll bar at the front and the rear of the car, allowing enough roll for driver feedback but limiting it to eliminate jacking of the wheel.
Overall the beneficial effect of correct and in-depth suspension tuning was found to be substantial. Good tuning, however, is not a remedy for badly designed suspension. The 2018 WESMO car had a well-designed suspension, making tuning possible and beneficial. If the 2018 car’s suspension had been tuned properly, the team could have potentially placed third instead of eighth in the autocross event at the 2018 Formula SAE competition at Winton Motor Raceway in Australia.

year: 2020

title: A Critical Tiriti Analysis of the Treaty Statement From a University in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Hamley, Logan

abstract: Universities in Aotearoa New Zealand have been placed under the spotlight for claims of systemic racism. Following the claims made in relation to the University of Waikato in 2020 and University of Otago in 2022, universities have the responsibility to create an inclusive environment where systemic racism is dismantled, to meaningfully partner with Māori to construct a model for decolonisation, and to enhance the academic experience of Māori staff and students by weaving in mātauranga Māori into existing teaching and research practices. The University of Waikato progresses ahead of other universities in its attempt to fulfil Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitment through the introduction of the Treaty Statement. In this paper, the Treaty Statement is used as a case study to identify how universities articulate bicultural commitments. To do so, our team (consisting of Māori and tauiwi scholars) performed a critical Tiriti analysis comprising five phases to investigate the degree of alignment of the statement with Te Tiriti. The desktop analysis showed poor engagement with most Te Tiriti elements. The analysis evaluation of “good” (more than satisfactory) was measured for the consideration of “Māori exercising equitable citizenship”. This article concludes with recommendations of how universities can strengthen their practices to live up to Te Tiriti aspirations.

text: A Critical Tiriti Analysis of the Treaty Statement From a University in Aotearoa New Zealand Universities in Aotearoa New Zealand have been placed under the spotlight for claims of systemic racism. Following the claims made in relation to the University of Waikato in 2020 and University of Otago in 2022, universities have the responsibility to create an inclusive environment where systemic racism is dismantled, to meaningfully partner with Māori to construct a model for decolonisation, and to enhance the academic experience of Māori staff and students by weaving in mātauranga Māori into existing teaching and research practices. The University of Waikato progresses ahead of other universities in its attempt to fulfil Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitment through the introduction of the Treaty Statement. In this paper, the Treaty Statement is used as a case study to identify how universities articulate bicultural commitments. To do so, our team (consisting of Māori and tauiwi scholars) performed a critical Tiriti analysis comprising five phases to investigate the degree of alignment of the statement with Te Tiriti. The desktop analysis showed poor engagement with most Te Tiriti elements. The analysis evaluation of “good” (more than satisfactory) was measured for the consideration of “Māori exercising equitable citizenship”. This article concludes with recommendations of how universities can strengthen their practices to live up to Te Tiriti aspirations.

year: 2024-02-21