title: Augmenting primary teaching and  learning science through ICT

authors: Otrel-Cass, Kathrin

abstract: This study explored how information communication technologies (ICTs) in primary classrooms can enhance the teaching and learning of science. By building on teachers’ and students’ prior knowledge and experience with ICTs, we investigated how ICT use can structure activities to offer enhanced opportunities for active participation in science. The project generated examples of how ICTs can support subject-relevant ways of exploring and communicating science, and evaluating what has been learnt.

The major implications from the key finding, found in the Summary report are that;

 ICTs amplify science learning if teachers unpack the scientific ideas to identify specific pedagogical strategies that exploit the opportunities of each ICT. 
Visually recorded data present instant, immediate and context-rich information that teachers and students can use as a repository for evaluation, analysis and communication.
For ICT-supported activities to meet the needs of diverse learners, students and teachers need “sandpit” time to develop competencies to participate in various tasks. 
Teachers who use ICTs require support tailored to the specific pedagogical, content and technology needs of the topic they are teaching.

text: Augmenting primary teaching and  learning science through ICT This study explored how information communication technologies (ICTs) in primary classrooms can enhance the teaching and learning of science. By building on teachers’ and students’ prior knowledge and experience with ICTs, we investigated how ICT use can structure activities to offer enhanced opportunities for active participation in science. The project generated examples of how ICTs can support subject-relevant ways of exploring and communicating science, and evaluating what has been learnt.

The major implications from the key finding, found in the Summary report are that;

 ICTs amplify science learning if teachers unpack the scientific ideas to identify specific pedagogical strategies that exploit the opportunities of each ICT. 
Visually recorded data present instant, immediate and context-rich information that teachers and students can use as a repository for evaluation, analysis and communication.
For ICT-supported activities to meet the needs of diverse learners, students and teachers need “sandpit” time to develop competencies to participate in various tasks. 
Teachers who use ICTs require support tailored to the specific pedagogical, content and technology needs of the topic they are teaching.

year: 2011

title: Network effect and investor’s perceptions: An empirical investigation

authors: Feroz, Noushad Khan

subjects: Financial information

abstract: Investors’ perceptions, and their understanding related to an investment, are paramount to decision-making in economic and investment settings. Social media is increasingly playing a vital role in influencing investors’ perceptions and investors’ decisions in the financial arena. Social media is a comfortable and easy tool to use. That’s why it has just become a fundamental part of online news sharing and information distribution.

In the first study of this thesis, a network structure is constructed and built social ties circle based on the frequency of communication of investors within the network, and the network size of the investors to develop a comprehensive measurement scale for the social network index. Our findings indicate that the acquisition of information in the social network of investors depends on different components or factors. A significant factor in the network index is the network degree (network connectivity). It implies that network members with higher degrees or connections acquire vast amounts of information. Likewise, investors with larger networks receive enormous amounts of information, notably "following," which is the principal component in terms of network size. As a result, network size appears as the network index's second biggest factor. The smaller contribution comes from social tie circles. However, collectively, all these factors represent the social network index.

In the second study, we argue that the impact of financial information and news on investors’ perceptions is moderated by network factors such as network structure, social ties, and network size of the network. The impact of information on an individual’s perception is also called a social network or network effect. To tackle the moderating role of these network factors, we employed PLS-SEM as a statistical technique. The findings of this study indicate that network connectivity and social ties are crucial for the acquisition of information within the network. The findings of the study also show that network connectivity and social ties circle plays a central role in determining the impact of financial information. Our study further indicates that the impact of financial information and news on investors’ perceptions depends on their theme.

In the third essay of this thesis, we investigate how investors’ perceptions and preferences in terms of trading are influenced by their cultural background and network factors. In this study, we considered the moderating role of network factors in a cross-cultural context. The main subjects of our research datasets are investors who buy and sell shares and/or stocks of companies listed on the stock exchanges of New Zealand and South Korea. In this study, we examined data from 214 retail investors from the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) and South Korea. In comparison to non-kiwi investors, the study's findings show that network factors have a major impact on how information is disseminated among Kiwi investors. The results of this study also demonstrate that network factors' effects differ across cultures and countries.

To conclude, Twitter is a major social media platform that helps investors to connect with their counterparts and obtain financial information through back-and-forth interactions. However, access to information on social networks depends on network structure (network connectivity), social ties circle (family, friends, and colleagues), and network size (number of contact or followers and followings). Twitter also enables prompt dissemination of financial news and information, which can substantially impact investors’ perceptions. However, the impact of information on investors’ perceptions varied cross-culture because of varied network factors.

text: Network effect and investor’s perceptions: An empirical investigation Investors’ perceptions, and their understanding related to an investment, are paramount to decision-making in economic and investment settings. Social media is increasingly playing a vital role in influencing investors’ perceptions and investors’ decisions in the financial arena. Social media is a comfortable and easy tool to use. That’s why it has just become a fundamental part of online news sharing and information distribution.

In the first study of this thesis, a network structure is constructed and built social ties circle based on the frequency of communication of investors within the network, and the network size of the investors to develop a comprehensive measurement scale for the social network index. Our findings indicate that the acquisition of information in the social network of investors depends on different components or factors. A significant factor in the network index is the network degree (network connectivity). It implies that network members with higher degrees or connections acquire vast amounts of information. Likewise, investors with larger networks receive enormous amounts of information, notably "following," which is the principal component in terms of network size. As a result, network size appears as the network index's second biggest factor. The smaller contribution comes from social tie circles. However, collectively, all these factors represent the social network index.

In the second study, we argue that the impact of financial information and news on investors’ perceptions is moderated by network factors such as network structure, social ties, and network size of the network. The impact of information on an individual’s perception is also called a social network or network effect. To tackle the moderating role of these network factors, we employed PLS-SEM as a statistical technique. The findings of this study indicate that network connectivity and social ties are crucial for the acquisition of information within the network. The findings of the study also show that network connectivity and social ties circle plays a central role in determining the impact of financial information. Our study further indicates that the impact of financial information and news on investors’ perceptions depends on their theme.

In the third essay of this thesis, we investigate how investors’ perceptions and preferences in terms of trading are influenced by their cultural background and network factors. In this study, we considered the moderating role of network factors in a cross-cultural context. The main subjects of our research datasets are investors who buy and sell shares and/or stocks of companies listed on the stock exchanges of New Zealand and South Korea. In this study, we examined data from 214 retail investors from the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) and South Korea. In comparison to non-kiwi investors, the study's findings show that network factors have a major impact on how information is disseminated among Kiwi investors. The results of this study also demonstrate that network factors' effects differ across cultures and countries.

To conclude, Twitter is a major social media platform that helps investors to connect with their counterparts and obtain financial information through back-and-forth interactions. However, access to information on social networks depends on network structure (network connectivity), social ties circle (family, friends, and colleagues), and network size (number of contact or followers and followings). Twitter also enables prompt dissemination of financial news and information, which can substantially impact investors’ perceptions. However, the impact of information on investors’ perceptions varied cross-culture because of varied network factors.

year: 2023

title: Empowerment evaluation of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Family Start: Improving service delivery

authors: Little, Gaylene Robina

subjects: Family Start

abstract: This thesis explores child maltreatment in New Zealand by considering service delivery of the Family Start programme at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga through an empowerment evaluation. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the service delivery process of the Family Start programme at this site to inform the organization and other Family Start key agents of possible improvements to service delivery so that the Family Start programme is best able to reduce the risk factors that are known to influence child maltreatment in New Zealand. The best possible service delivery by kaupapa providers supports sustainability and the continuity of service with Māori through continual funding. The two objectives of this research are to look at how well the Family Start programme is implemented at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga and to consider the cultural appropriateness of service delivery. Community psychology is the paradigm within which I position myself. I respect the values of community psychology that aim to improve the position of disadvantaged people through their participation in social change and community development. Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga is a kaupapa Māori provider and I see an empowerment evaluation as a tool for internal evaluation to assist organizations who value self determination in their own practice. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. There are two objectives to consider service delivery; firstly process aspects of service delivery are looked at and secondly the cultural relevance of service delivery to the population receiving the Family Start programme at this site. These are described as nine points about service delivery. The aim is to provide an empowerment evaluation for Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga to inform, assist and improve service delivery of the Family Start programme in a culturally appropriate manner. The findings suggest better understanding is needed by Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Family Start staff, about the programme intentions, the use of tools such as Born to Learn/Ahuru Mōwai, individual family plans, service delivery levels, maintaining health records and ways to encourage collaboration between agencies. Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga are shown in this research to be reaching the intended population for the Family Start programme, and service delivery appears to be culturally relevant to the clients on the programme at this time. The findings are limited by the fact that access to some information was restricted by Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Family Start management. Consequently, this research looked only at service delivery, and not the benefits of or barriers to the actual programme. The effectiveness of the programme in reducing child maltreatment is important but could not be measured in this research. Reducing child maltreatment is the main aim of the Family Start programme and would be measured through client outcomes. This research considered service delivery to see if the Family Start programme is offered optimally to assist the aim of reducing child maltreatment.

text: Empowerment evaluation of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Family Start: Improving service delivery This thesis explores child maltreatment in New Zealand by considering service delivery of the Family Start programme at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga through an empowerment evaluation. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the service delivery process of the Family Start programme at this site to inform the organization and other Family Start key agents of possible improvements to service delivery so that the Family Start programme is best able to reduce the risk factors that are known to influence child maltreatment in New Zealand. The best possible service delivery by kaupapa providers supports sustainability and the continuity of service with Māori through continual funding. The two objectives of this research are to look at how well the Family Start programme is implemented at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga and to consider the cultural appropriateness of service delivery. Community psychology is the paradigm within which I position myself. I respect the values of community psychology that aim to improve the position of disadvantaged people through their participation in social change and community development. Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga is a kaupapa Māori provider and I see an empowerment evaluation as a tool for internal evaluation to assist organizations who value self determination in their own practice. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. There are two objectives to consider service delivery; firstly process aspects of service delivery are looked at and secondly the cultural relevance of service delivery to the population receiving the Family Start programme at this site. These are described as nine points about service delivery. The aim is to provide an empowerment evaluation for Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga to inform, assist and improve service delivery of the Family Start programme in a culturally appropriate manner. The findings suggest better understanding is needed by Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Family Start staff, about the programme intentions, the use of tools such as Born to Learn/Ahuru Mōwai, individual family plans, service delivery levels, maintaining health records and ways to encourage collaboration between agencies. Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga are shown in this research to be reaching the intended population for the Family Start programme, and service delivery appears to be culturally relevant to the clients on the programme at this time. The findings are limited by the fact that access to some information was restricted by Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Family Start management. Consequently, this research looked only at service delivery, and not the benefits of or barriers to the actual programme. The effectiveness of the programme in reducing child maltreatment is important but could not be measured in this research. Reducing child maltreatment is the main aim of the Family Start programme and would be measured through client outcomes. This research considered service delivery to see if the Family Start programme is offered optimally to assist the aim of reducing child maltreatment.

year: 2010