title: Assessment information utilisation from learning stories in New Zealand early childhood centres

authors: Fabian, Katalin

subjects: Early childhood assessment

abstract: This research provides an insight into early childhood teachers’ every day, real life experiences for current ECE assessment practices from a bottom up perspective using experienced early childhood teachers as the data source. The research investigated the ways teachers collected data for assessment purposes, the tools they used to document the information, the ways they utilised the assessment data from Learning Stories, and the challenges they were faced with during the process. The study invited participants from different types of centres from different areas of New Zealand. Five highly experienced early childhood teachers participated in the research from kindergartens and privately owned early learning centres. The study, which was grounded in a constructivist-interpretive paradigm, applied a phenomenological approach. The research utilised semi structured interviews as the main data collection method of a phenomenological research.
The findings indicated that assessment information from Learning Stories can be utilised in numerous ways. The study revealed interesting practical ideas of every day assessment practices for the profession. The research highlighted the complexity of the current assessment approach and the sophisticated nature of the Learning Story writing process. Teachers’ high level of data literacy skills, thorough understanding of data collection, documentation and data analysis processes were shown as fundamental factors in an effective assessment practice. The documentation and information sharing about children’s learning and behaviour difficulties through Learning Stories were identified as a problematic area of assessment information utilisation. Teachers’ Learning Story writing competencies and better utilisation of assessment information from Learning Stories for children with special learning needs were suggested to be avenues for further investigation in future research.

text: Assessment information utilisation from learning stories in New Zealand early childhood centres This research provides an insight into early childhood teachers’ every day, real life experiences for current ECE assessment practices from a bottom up perspective using experienced early childhood teachers as the data source. The research investigated the ways teachers collected data for assessment purposes, the tools they used to document the information, the ways they utilised the assessment data from Learning Stories, and the challenges they were faced with during the process. The study invited participants from different types of centres from different areas of New Zealand. Five highly experienced early childhood teachers participated in the research from kindergartens and privately owned early learning centres. The study, which was grounded in a constructivist-interpretive paradigm, applied a phenomenological approach. The research utilised semi structured interviews as the main data collection method of a phenomenological research.
The findings indicated that assessment information from Learning Stories can be utilised in numerous ways. The study revealed interesting practical ideas of every day assessment practices for the profession. The research highlighted the complexity of the current assessment approach and the sophisticated nature of the Learning Story writing process. Teachers’ high level of data literacy skills, thorough understanding of data collection, documentation and data analysis processes were shown as fundamental factors in an effective assessment practice. The documentation and information sharing about children’s learning and behaviour difficulties through Learning Stories were identified as a problematic area of assessment information utilisation. Teachers’ Learning Story writing competencies and better utilisation of assessment information from Learning Stories for children with special learning needs were suggested to be avenues for further investigation in future research.

year: 2021

title: Rainfall as a cause of mechanical damage to Pseudocyphellaria rufovirescens in a New Zealand temperate rainforest

authors: Budel, B.

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: Lichens, like all poikilohydric plants, have a metabolism that is dependent on external moistening from their environment. In the case of green algal lichens high humidities may be sufficient for positive net photosynthesis to occur (Lange et al. 1993a). For these plants water stress is usually taken to mean a lack of water (Kappen 1988; Rundel 1988) but it can also mean an excess of water that leads to depressed CO2 exchange because of increased diffusion resistances at high thallus water contents (Lange & Tenhunen 1981; Kershaw 1985). Rather than this being an unusual occurrence, Lange et al. (19936) found reduced CO2 exchange at thallus supra-saturation to be present over long periods in the temperate rainforest of north-eastern New Zealand.

text: Rainfall as a cause of mechanical damage to Pseudocyphellaria rufovirescens in a New Zealand temperate rainforest Lichens, like all poikilohydric plants, have a metabolism that is dependent on external moistening from their environment. In the case of green algal lichens high humidities may be sufficient for positive net photosynthesis to occur (Lange et al. 1993a). For these plants water stress is usually taken to mean a lack of water (Kappen 1988; Rundel 1988) but it can also mean an excess of water that leads to depressed CO2 exchange because of increased diffusion resistances at high thallus water contents (Lange & Tenhunen 1981; Kershaw 1985). Rather than this being an unusual occurrence, Lange et al. (19936) found reduced CO2 exchange at thallus supra-saturation to be present over long periods in the temperate rainforest of north-eastern New Zealand.

year: 1995

title: Mental health inpatient services: Improving our understanding of the needs of Maori when acutely unwell

authors: Wharewera-Mika, Julie

subjects: Maori

abstract: There are many possible explanations for the pattern of Maori overrepresentation in mental health acute services. This research project focuses on how services can optimally meet the needs of Maori to improve outcomes. This doctoral research in progress is about claiming space for Maori to have a voice in identifying factors that contribute to recovery and Whanau Ora, and offering recommendations to improve the effectiveness of existing services to better meet the needs of Maori Tangata Whaiora and Whanau.

text: Mental health inpatient services: Improving our understanding of the needs of Maori when acutely unwell There are many possible explanations for the pattern of Maori overrepresentation in mental health acute services. This research project focuses on how services can optimally meet the needs of Maori to improve outcomes. This doctoral research in progress is about claiming space for Maori to have a voice in identifying factors that contribute to recovery and Whanau Ora, and offering recommendations to improve the effectiveness of existing services to better meet the needs of Maori Tangata Whaiora and Whanau.

year: 2008