title: Effective active learning strategies I have used in University class room

authors: Talele, Sadhana

abstract: In this paper I summarize the various activities used in class room and laboratory teaching of first and second year engineering. These activities can be grouped under ‘active learning’. I describe the activities and the various attributes associated with each activity along with the advantages of using the mentioned activity model instead of simply a single ended lecturing model. Although most of these have erupted from an urge to increase students learning while making the topics increasingly interesting for them, most of these strategies have been researched out globally as effective teaching practices. Traditionally lecturers may think that they are doing active learning when questions are asked and a few students always answer or discussions amongst the same group of people take place from time to time. Although this includes student participation, it is engaging only a small fraction of a big class which is not optimum in terms of benefit to the class as whole and individuals of the class. Active learning is taking place in your class when you ask a question, pose a problem, or throw some type of challenge at them; ask your students to work individually or in pairs or small groups to come up with a response; give them some set time to do it; stop them, and invite one or more individuals or groups to share their responses with the class. The teacher as an expert can further comment on the answer if required. This paper concludes with a number of proven methods of including active learning strategies in first and second year Physics/electronics engineering class. Reference to global research about these strategies is included.

text: Effective active learning strategies I have used in University class room In this paper I summarize the various activities used in class room and laboratory teaching of first and second year engineering. These activities can be grouped under ‘active learning’. I describe the activities and the various attributes associated with each activity along with the advantages of using the mentioned activity model instead of simply a single ended lecturing model. Although most of these have erupted from an urge to increase students learning while making the topics increasingly interesting for them, most of these strategies have been researched out globally as effective teaching practices. Traditionally lecturers may think that they are doing active learning when questions are asked and a few students always answer or discussions amongst the same group of people take place from time to time. Although this includes student participation, it is engaging only a small fraction of a big class which is not optimum in terms of benefit to the class as whole and individuals of the class. Active learning is taking place in your class when you ask a question, pose a problem, or throw some type of challenge at them; ask your students to work individually or in pairs or small groups to come up with a response; give them some set time to do it; stop them, and invite one or more individuals or groups to share their responses with the class. The teacher as an expert can further comment on the answer if required. This paper concludes with a number of proven methods of including active learning strategies in first and second year Physics/electronics engineering class. Reference to global research about these strategies is included.

year: 2013

title: Larval fish of Tauranga Harbour

authors: Brooke, Nathania

subjects: estuary

abstract: Estuaries are important nursery habitats for many fish species, both in New Zealand and worldwide, characterised by high levels of primary production, shallow warmer waters, and affording relative protection from predators. Many estuaries are under constant threat from anthropogenic stressors due to the vicinity of industries that can cause contamination. It is necessary to first understand how larval fish use estuaries in order to understand the potential effects of anthropogenic impacts on their life history stages. Few studies in New Zealand have examined the use of estuaries by pre-settlement larvae. The majority of research undertaken in New Zealand on larval fish has been completed in coastal waters, examining the effects of seasonality, distribution patters, and growth of larvae. The objectives of this research were to increase understanding as to how larval fish use Tauranga Harbour. The study used a stationary channel net at Bridge Marina to intensively sample over one summer, and fortnightly over the ensuing 16 months, in an effort to discover which species of larval fish are found within the harbour; if they were more abundant on the flood or ebb tides; if they were more abundant during the day or night; if any patterns of seasonality were present; and if the abundance was affected by environmental variables such as water temperature or current speed. A choice chamber experiment was conducted to assess if larval kingfish (a species not found in the estuarine sampling programme), were able to differentiate between two different water types - estuarine and oceanic, in an effort to assess if larvae may use olfactory cues when choosing a habitat. 

The larvae of at least 19 species from 18 families were caught during the intensive summer sampling, and at least 13 species from 11 families during the fortnightly sampling, with no new species found during the fortnightly sampling. Three taxa (anchovy Engraulis australis, Tripterygiidae and Gobiidae) were the most abundant over the entire sampling period, making up the majority of all catches. Larvae were found in higher abundances at night compared to the day, and no significant difference was found between abundances on the flood and ebb tides. Seasonality had an effect on larval fish abundance, with higher abundances caught during spring and summer. The kingfish larvae in the choice chamber experiment appeared to display a preference for the oceanic water over the estuarine water.

The findings of this study indicate that larval fish of a range of species use Tauranga Harbour potentially as a nursery. Not surprisingly perhaps, estuarine species were found in the highest abundances. Larval abundance in the estuarine water column is affected primarily by the diel cycle, with larvae displaying behaviours of diel vertical migration and possibly selective tidal stream transport. Abundances of larvae peaked during spring and summer when the water temperature begins to warm after winter, coinciding with the spawning seasons of many fish species. Larval kingfish displayed an attraction towards oceanic water, or perhaps an avoidance of the estuarine water. This suggests that olfactory stimuli are important when choosing potential habitats, signifying that larval fish of estuarine species may actively seek out refuge within an estuary using olfactory cues. This study provides a good benchmark for future studies on larval fish within Tauranga Harbour and other estuarine systems.

text: Larval fish of Tauranga Harbour Estuaries are important nursery habitats for many fish species, both in New Zealand and worldwide, characterised by high levels of primary production, shallow warmer waters, and affording relative protection from predators. Many estuaries are under constant threat from anthropogenic stressors due to the vicinity of industries that can cause contamination. It is necessary to first understand how larval fish use estuaries in order to understand the potential effects of anthropogenic impacts on their life history stages. Few studies in New Zealand have examined the use of estuaries by pre-settlement larvae. The majority of research undertaken in New Zealand on larval fish has been completed in coastal waters, examining the effects of seasonality, distribution patters, and growth of larvae. The objectives of this research were to increase understanding as to how larval fish use Tauranga Harbour. The study used a stationary channel net at Bridge Marina to intensively sample over one summer, and fortnightly over the ensuing 16 months, in an effort to discover which species of larval fish are found within the harbour; if they were more abundant on the flood or ebb tides; if they were more abundant during the day or night; if any patterns of seasonality were present; and if the abundance was affected by environmental variables such as water temperature or current speed. A choice chamber experiment was conducted to assess if larval kingfish (a species not found in the estuarine sampling programme), were able to differentiate between two different water types - estuarine and oceanic, in an effort to assess if larvae may use olfactory cues when choosing a habitat. 

The larvae of at least 19 species from 18 families were caught during the intensive summer sampling, and at least 13 species from 11 families during the fortnightly sampling, with no new species found during the fortnightly sampling. Three taxa (anchovy Engraulis australis, Tripterygiidae and Gobiidae) were the most abundant over the entire sampling period, making up the majority of all catches. Larvae were found in higher abundances at night compared to the day, and no significant difference was found between abundances on the flood and ebb tides. Seasonality had an effect on larval fish abundance, with higher abundances caught during spring and summer. The kingfish larvae in the choice chamber experiment appeared to display a preference for the oceanic water over the estuarine water.

The findings of this study indicate that larval fish of a range of species use Tauranga Harbour potentially as a nursery. Not surprisingly perhaps, estuarine species were found in the highest abundances. Larval abundance in the estuarine water column is affected primarily by the diel cycle, with larvae displaying behaviours of diel vertical migration and possibly selective tidal stream transport. Abundances of larvae peaked during spring and summer when the water temperature begins to warm after winter, coinciding with the spawning seasons of many fish species. Larval kingfish displayed an attraction towards oceanic water, or perhaps an avoidance of the estuarine water. This suggests that olfactory stimuli are important when choosing potential habitats, signifying that larval fish of estuarine species may actively seek out refuge within an estuary using olfactory cues. This study provides a good benchmark for future studies on larval fish within Tauranga Harbour and other estuarine systems.

year: 2015

title: Reha Aperahama: a Ngati Rahiri rangatira

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: Reha Aperahama had an illustrious whakapapa and was affiliated to several hapu. His father was notable as one of the most loyal rangatira (from the Crown’s perspective) in Hauraki, and Reha followed his lead, probably in part because of the financial rewards he received from selling land to settlers. He tried to maximize his income from this source, spending several years pleading for permission to sell his Te Kawana block (near Te Aroha). After opposing Ngati Haua ambitions to acquire the Aroha block, by 1878 he was willing to encourage road building. 
Reha was regularly before the courts because of his inability or reluctance to pay his debts, occasionally perjuring himself to avoid liability. In his later years he had little money. Despite occasionally being drunk and even violent, he was an important figure in Maori society, with a leadership role in his hapu and in the Mormon church. He was also notable for his marital complications.

text: Reha Aperahama: a Ngati Rahiri rangatira Reha Aperahama had an illustrious whakapapa and was affiliated to several hapu. His father was notable as one of the most loyal rangatira (from the Crown’s perspective) in Hauraki, and Reha followed his lead, probably in part because of the financial rewards he received from selling land to settlers. He tried to maximize his income from this source, spending several years pleading for permission to sell his Te Kawana block (near Te Aroha). After opposing Ngati Haua ambitions to acquire the Aroha block, by 1878 he was willing to encourage road building. 
Reha was regularly before the courts because of his inability or reluctance to pay his debts, occasionally perjuring himself to avoid liability. In his later years he had little money. Despite occasionally being drunk and even violent, he was an important figure in Maori society, with a leadership role in his hapu and in the Mormon church. He was also notable for his marital complications.

year: 2016