title: Student perceptions of higher education science and engineering learning communities

authors: Cronje, Tom

subjects: higher education

abstract: This paper presents student perceptions of higher education science and engineering learning communities derived from a cross-case analysis of four case studies across the New Zealand university and polytechnic sectors. Here we explore student expectations and experiences of the higher education sector and canvas their views as to the infrastructure and resources in their institutions of study, and how they see their learning serves their careers' aims. Student perceptions of pedagogies employed in their institutions along with their preferred pedagogies follows, including staff-student interactions and consideration of the importance of practical skill development. The paper finishes by considering student perceptions of support structures and an analysis of their understanding of aspects of the nature of science (NoS) and engineering. The research findings suggest the students feel they become more independent and responsible for their own learning, enjoy smaller class sizes and interactive learning activities such as practical work and tutorials, and they stressed the importance of establishing good relationships with their teachers. Polytechnic students were more positive about their learning and felt the practice features of their learning led to enhanced career prospects. Students from university and polytechnic sectors were aware of formal learning support structures but only used them as a last resort, instead they first worked with peers and teachers.

text: Student perceptions of higher education science and engineering learning communities This paper presents student perceptions of higher education science and engineering learning communities derived from a cross-case analysis of four case studies across the New Zealand university and polytechnic sectors. Here we explore student expectations and experiences of the higher education sector and canvas their views as to the infrastructure and resources in their institutions of study, and how they see their learning serves their careers' aims. Student perceptions of pedagogies employed in their institutions along with their preferred pedagogies follows, including staff-student interactions and consideration of the importance of practical skill development. The paper finishes by considering student perceptions of support structures and an analysis of their understanding of aspects of the nature of science (NoS) and engineering. The research findings suggest the students feel they become more independent and responsible for their own learning, enjoy smaller class sizes and interactive learning activities such as practical work and tutorials, and they stressed the importance of establishing good relationships with their teachers. Polytechnic students were more positive about their learning and felt the practice features of their learning led to enhanced career prospects. Students from university and polytechnic sectors were aware of formal learning support structures but only used them as a last resort, instead they first worked with peers and teachers.

year: 2008

title: The effects of varying intensity cultivation on soil quality in a maize cropping system

authors: McKay, Emily Grace

abstract: Maize is the primary crop grown on arable land in the Waikato region, predominantly established on Allophanic soils due to their well-drained and resilient properties. Full cultivation (FC) is universally adopted in cropping systems and associated with increased soil aeration and successful seed establishment, however, has been shown to reduce soil quality through declines in soil organic matter (SOM) and soil structure. SOM (TC & TN) decline and aggregate stability are considered important indicators of soil quality in cropping systems as they pose the greatest risk to long term productivity and profitability. Soil degradation can be reduced through conservation tillage such as no-till (NT) and strip-till (ST). Previous studies have investigated the effect of cultivation intensity on soil quality and consistently found that NT systems have greater carbon (C) levels and aggregate stability at the soil surface than higher intensity cultivation systems. 

The main aim of this thesis was to determine whether there were significant differences in soil quality between varying intensity cultivation systems (FC, ST, NT) on Allophanic soils in the Hamilton Basin. Further aims were to determine whether differences in the inherent soil properties of the Horotiu silt loam and Bruntwood silt loam would influence the soil quality within the study area, and to identify whether soil quality was influenced by an interaction between cultivation intensity and soil type. 

Twelve plots with four replicates of each cultivation treatment were sampled and soil quality measured using seven soil quality indicators (total C (TC), total nitrogen (TN), mineralisable nitrogen (N), soil pH, Olsen P, bulk density (BD), and macroporosity (MP)) and three additional cropping indicators (aggregate stability, penetration resistance, and visual soil assessment). Mechanically driven cores for TC and TN analysis were taken from 0 – 7.5 cm, 7.5 – 15 cm, and 15 – 30 cm. Significant differences in TC, TN, and aggregate stability in the top 10 cm were detected between cultivation treatments (p < 0.05). NT was shown to be the most beneficial cultivation for a maize cropping system, indicated by significantly greater TC (3.98 %), TN (0.41 %), and aggregate stability (0.97 mm, MWD) at the soil surface than higher intensity cultivation systems (For FC; TC = 3.56 %, TN = 0.37 %, aggregate stability = 0.62 mm). Additionally, significant differences in TC and TN were found between soil types, where Horotiu silt loam had significantly greater TC and TN (e.g. for 0 – 10 cm; Horotiu: TC = 4.02 %, TN = 0.42 %; Bruntwood TC = 3.52 %, TN = 0.36 %). There were also significant differences in aggregate stability, MP, and BD between soil types, where the Horotiu silt loam had higher aggregate stability (0.82 mm, MWD), MP (14 %) and lower BD   (0.96 t m-3) and Olsen P (82.9 μg g-1) than the Bruntwood silt loam (Aggregate stability = 0.73 mm, MP = 12 %, BD = 1.05 t m-3, Olsen P = 105.5 g g-1). Where there were interactions between cultivation intensity and soil type, significant differences were detected in aggregate stability and penetration resistance, where the Horotiu silt loam under NT had higher aggregate stability (1.07 mm, MWD) and penetration resistance (2.00 MPa) than all other combinations. Conversely, the Bruntwood silt loam under FC had the lowest aggregate stability (0.55 mm, MWD) and penetration resistance (1.63 MPa). 

Many of the soil quality values in the study area fell below or exceeded target ranges set for cropping systems, regardless of cultivation treatment or soil type. This is due to the intensive nature of cropping systems, use of heavy machinery, removal during harvest, and poorly defined target ranges. This study highlights how differences in inherent soil properties between two soil types within the same soil order can greatly influence soil quality. Previous data showed cultivation intensity did not significantly influence maize yield at this stage in the trial.  This research therefore suggests NT systems result in higher SOM content and greater aggregate stability and therefore may be a more suitable cultivation system for continuous maize cropping without decreasing productivity or profitability.

text: The effects of varying intensity cultivation on soil quality in a maize cropping system Maize is the primary crop grown on arable land in the Waikato region, predominantly established on Allophanic soils due to their well-drained and resilient properties. Full cultivation (FC) is universally adopted in cropping systems and associated with increased soil aeration and successful seed establishment, however, has been shown to reduce soil quality through declines in soil organic matter (SOM) and soil structure. SOM (TC & TN) decline and aggregate stability are considered important indicators of soil quality in cropping systems as they pose the greatest risk to long term productivity and profitability. Soil degradation can be reduced through conservation tillage such as no-till (NT) and strip-till (ST). Previous studies have investigated the effect of cultivation intensity on soil quality and consistently found that NT systems have greater carbon (C) levels and aggregate stability at the soil surface than higher intensity cultivation systems. 

The main aim of this thesis was to determine whether there were significant differences in soil quality between varying intensity cultivation systems (FC, ST, NT) on Allophanic soils in the Hamilton Basin. Further aims were to determine whether differences in the inherent soil properties of the Horotiu silt loam and Bruntwood silt loam would influence the soil quality within the study area, and to identify whether soil quality was influenced by an interaction between cultivation intensity and soil type. 

Twelve plots with four replicates of each cultivation treatment were sampled and soil quality measured using seven soil quality indicators (total C (TC), total nitrogen (TN), mineralisable nitrogen (N), soil pH, Olsen P, bulk density (BD), and macroporosity (MP)) and three additional cropping indicators (aggregate stability, penetration resistance, and visual soil assessment). Mechanically driven cores for TC and TN analysis were taken from 0 – 7.5 cm, 7.5 – 15 cm, and 15 – 30 cm. Significant differences in TC, TN, and aggregate stability in the top 10 cm were detected between cultivation treatments (p < 0.05). NT was shown to be the most beneficial cultivation for a maize cropping system, indicated by significantly greater TC (3.98 %), TN (0.41 %), and aggregate stability (0.97 mm, MWD) at the soil surface than higher intensity cultivation systems (For FC; TC = 3.56 %, TN = 0.37 %, aggregate stability = 0.62 mm). Additionally, significant differences in TC and TN were found between soil types, where Horotiu silt loam had significantly greater TC and TN (e.g. for 0 – 10 cm; Horotiu: TC = 4.02 %, TN = 0.42 %; Bruntwood TC = 3.52 %, TN = 0.36 %). There were also significant differences in aggregate stability, MP, and BD between soil types, where the Horotiu silt loam had higher aggregate stability (0.82 mm, MWD), MP (14 %) and lower BD   (0.96 t m-3) and Olsen P (82.9 μg g-1) than the Bruntwood silt loam (Aggregate stability = 0.73 mm, MP = 12 %, BD = 1.05 t m-3, Olsen P = 105.5 g g-1). Where there were interactions between cultivation intensity and soil type, significant differences were detected in aggregate stability and penetration resistance, where the Horotiu silt loam under NT had higher aggregate stability (1.07 mm, MWD) and penetration resistance (2.00 MPa) than all other combinations. Conversely, the Bruntwood silt loam under FC had the lowest aggregate stability (0.55 mm, MWD) and penetration resistance (1.63 MPa). 

Many of the soil quality values in the study area fell below or exceeded target ranges set for cropping systems, regardless of cultivation treatment or soil type. This is due to the intensive nature of cropping systems, use of heavy machinery, removal during harvest, and poorly defined target ranges. This study highlights how differences in inherent soil properties between two soil types within the same soil order can greatly influence soil quality. Previous data showed cultivation intensity did not significantly influence maize yield at this stage in the trial.  This research therefore suggests NT systems result in higher SOM content and greater aggregate stability and therefore may be a more suitable cultivation system for continuous maize cropping without decreasing productivity or profitability.

year: 2020

title: Contextualising social enterprise in New Zealand

authors: Grant, Suzanne Lisa Parker

subjects: business enterprise

abstract: Purpose – Social enterprise in New Zealand is still in its infancy, with no recognised framework to inform knowledge of current or future developments. In this exploratory paper, the aim is to consider four influences which are shaping the development of social enterprise in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach – A critical-appreciative lens utilising Habermas' concepts of the lifeworld and system informs the consideration of these influences.

Findings – Four distinct cultural and historical influences are proposed as contributing to the scope and “flavour” of social enterprise developing in New Zealand: socio-cultural norms, e.g. “Kiwi ingenuity”; the neoliberal reforms initiated by successive governments during the 1980s; Crown settlements in relation to breaches of the principles of 1840 Treaty of Waitangi; New Zealanders' as international citizens.

Originality/value – The paper shows how feedback and dialogue across the sectors, at local, national and international levels, is now required to determine how other scholars, practitioners and policy makers perceive this proposed initial framework.

text: Contextualising social enterprise in New Zealand Purpose – Social enterprise in New Zealand is still in its infancy, with no recognised framework to inform knowledge of current or future developments. In this exploratory paper, the aim is to consider four influences which are shaping the development of social enterprise in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach – A critical-appreciative lens utilising Habermas' concepts of the lifeworld and system informs the consideration of these influences.

Findings – Four distinct cultural and historical influences are proposed as contributing to the scope and “flavour” of social enterprise developing in New Zealand: socio-cultural norms, e.g. “Kiwi ingenuity”; the neoliberal reforms initiated by successive governments during the 1980s; Crown settlements in relation to breaches of the principles of 1840 Treaty of Waitangi; New Zealanders' as international citizens.

Originality/value – The paper shows how feedback and dialogue across the sectors, at local, national and international levels, is now required to determine how other scholars, practitioners and policy makers perceive this proposed initial framework.

year: 2008