title: Is there a lack of science resources and specialists for kaiako at Kura reo o Waikato?

authors: Hopkins, Aareka

subjects: Kura kaupapa

abstract: The New Zealand debates on culture and science education for Maaori are grounded in the concern for the under-achievement of tauira in science. In 1995, a lack of subject experts, specialists and resources to implement the Ministry of Education’s science curriculum was identified. I investigated the concept of a mobile science laboratory to provide subject experts, specialists and resources to Kura Reo o Tainui as a way of improving and enhancing tauira literacy and engagement in puutaiao. This study used a semi-structured survey to elicit the whakaaro and perceptions of kaiako puutaiao from four Wharekura, three Kura Kaupapa Maaori, and three Rumaki Total Immersion classes in Waikato-Tainui, using registered participants in the inaugural Kura Reo o Tainui Waananga in 2008 to select survey participants.

text: Is there a lack of science resources and specialists for kaiako at Kura reo o Waikato? The New Zealand debates on culture and science education for Maaori are grounded in the concern for the under-achievement of tauira in science. In 1995, a lack of subject experts, specialists and resources to implement the Ministry of Education’s science curriculum was identified. I investigated the concept of a mobile science laboratory to provide subject experts, specialists and resources to Kura Reo o Tainui as a way of improving and enhancing tauira literacy and engagement in puutaiao. This study used a semi-structured survey to elicit the whakaaro and perceptions of kaiako puutaiao from four Wharekura, three Kura Kaupapa Maaori, and three Rumaki Total Immersion classes in Waikato-Tainui, using registered participants in the inaugural Kura Reo o Tainui Waananga in 2008 to select survey participants.

year: 2010-08

title: Exploring synergies between Māori pedagogy and communicative language teaching

authors: Nock, Sophie

subjects: Māori language

abstract: The primary aim of this paper is to explore potential synergies between Māori pedagogy and what is known as 'communicative language teaching'. A brief outline of some changes and developments in approaches to language teaching and learning over the last few decades is followed by a summary of some of the main characteristics of communicative language teaching (CLT) and of different approaches to the conceptualization of Māori pedagogy. Some of the primary characteristics of communicative language teaching are then explored in the context of Māori pedagogy and it is argued that there are some important synergies between the two.

text: Exploring synergies between Māori pedagogy and communicative language teaching The primary aim of this paper is to explore potential synergies between Māori pedagogy and what is known as 'communicative language teaching'. A brief outline of some changes and developments in approaches to language teaching and learning over the last few decades is followed by a summary of some of the main characteristics of communicative language teaching (CLT) and of different approaches to the conceptualization of Māori pedagogy. Some of the primary characteristics of communicative language teaching are then explored in the context of Māori pedagogy and it is argued that there are some important synergies between the two.

year: 2008-11-30

title: Linear theory of fast reconnection at an X-type neutral point

authors: Craig, Ian J.D.

abstract: A linear theory is developed for the dissipation of the free magnetic energy in small disturbances imposed on the potential field of an X-type neutral point. An eigenmode analysis, using cylindrical coordinates centered on the neutral point, extends the work of Craig & McClymont (1991) to include non-azimuthally symmetric perturbations on the flux function. We demonstrate that all physically significant disturbances, both reconnective and nonreconnective, decay resistively on a "fast" time scale ∼|ln η|, where η is the nondimensional resistivity. Thus resistive diffusion is remarkably effective as a dissipation mechanism for all classes of perturbation not only those modes which induce changes in the field topology. The fundamental reason for the fast dissipation is the focusing of wave energy onto the neutral point by the gradient in Alfvén speed. This occurs for all types of disturbances launched from the outer boundary, but reconnective modes propagate purely radially while nonreconnective modes correspond to waves with an azimuthal motion and a smaller wave speed in the radial direction. Dissipation of reconnective disturbances takes place in a diffusion region of diameter ≈η1/2 around the neutral point, on a time scale ∝ |ln η|2, but nonreconnective perturbations decay before penetrating to the neutral point, because of the increased path lengths due to their azimuthal motion. These modes release their energy in an annulus of radius ≈[(m3/ 4k)η]1/2, where m and k are azimuthal and radial wavenumbers: because of their longer transit time, nonreconnective waves decay on a |ln η|3 time scale. We conclude by discussing the significance of the linear theory within the general context of steady state and dynamic reconnection studies. It is pointed out that, dynamically, disturbances can be expected to focus explosively in the vicinity of the neutral point. This suggests the formation of a "flux pile-up" current layer in which the bulk of the magnetic energy is released as heat rather than kinetic energy of mass motion.

text: Linear theory of fast reconnection at an X-type neutral point A linear theory is developed for the dissipation of the free magnetic energy in small disturbances imposed on the potential field of an X-type neutral point. An eigenmode analysis, using cylindrical coordinates centered on the neutral point, extends the work of Craig & McClymont (1991) to include non-azimuthally symmetric perturbations on the flux function. We demonstrate that all physically significant disturbances, both reconnective and nonreconnective, decay resistively on a "fast" time scale ∼|ln η|, where η is the nondimensional resistivity. Thus resistive diffusion is remarkably effective as a dissipation mechanism for all classes of perturbation not only those modes which induce changes in the field topology. The fundamental reason for the fast dissipation is the focusing of wave energy onto the neutral point by the gradient in Alfvén speed. This occurs for all types of disturbances launched from the outer boundary, but reconnective modes propagate purely radially while nonreconnective modes correspond to waves with an azimuthal motion and a smaller wave speed in the radial direction. Dissipation of reconnective disturbances takes place in a diffusion region of diameter ≈η1/2 around the neutral point, on a time scale ∝ |ln η|2, but nonreconnective perturbations decay before penetrating to the neutral point, because of the increased path lengths due to their azimuthal motion. These modes release their energy in an annulus of radius ≈[(m3/ 4k)η]1/2, where m and k are azimuthal and radial wavenumbers: because of their longer transit time, nonreconnective waves decay on a |ln η|3 time scale. We conclude by discussing the significance of the linear theory within the general context of steady state and dynamic reconnection studies. It is pointed out that, dynamically, disturbances can be expected to focus explosively in the vicinity of the neutral point. This suggests the formation of a "flux pile-up" current layer in which the bulk of the magnetic energy is released as heat rather than kinetic energy of mass motion.

year: 1993