title: The use of Learning Stories as assessment in primary schools

authors: King, Amanda Jane

subjects: Learning Stories

abstract: New Zealand primary school teachers have shown interest in implementing learning through play programmes, and alongside this developing teaching pedagogy teachers are seeking an assessment method that appropriately aligns with the holistic nature of play.  Learning Stories, commonly used in New Zealand Early Childhood Education settings (Mitchell, 2008), are formative assessment documents used to assess observed learning during play.  Some primary school teachers with learning through play programmes have also started using Learning Stories to assess learning and progress of students.
Using a Sociocultural lens, this qualitative research explored how teachers from three New Zealand primary schools are using Learning Stories assessment.  Undertaken as an appreciative inquiry, this research, grounded in an interpretivist paradigm, used a multiple case study approach, collecting evidence through semi-structured interviews and gathering relevant documentation to investigate how the participant teachers from three case study primary schools were using Learning Stories.  
The research provides an insight into the participants’ views about the use of Learning Stories in their primary school settings.  There is little existing research about the use of Learning Stories in primary schools and this research provides interested educators with some of the benefits for using Learning Stories in a primary school context.  Key findings within this research indicate that Learning Stories are an effective way to assess both dispositional and academic progress, for highlighting learner strengths, and providing a framework to assess progress over time.

text: The use of Learning Stories as assessment in primary schools New Zealand primary school teachers have shown interest in implementing learning through play programmes, and alongside this developing teaching pedagogy teachers are seeking an assessment method that appropriately aligns with the holistic nature of play.  Learning Stories, commonly used in New Zealand Early Childhood Education settings (Mitchell, 2008), are formative assessment documents used to assess observed learning during play.  Some primary school teachers with learning through play programmes have also started using Learning Stories to assess learning and progress of students.
Using a Sociocultural lens, this qualitative research explored how teachers from three New Zealand primary schools are using Learning Stories assessment.  Undertaken as an appreciative inquiry, this research, grounded in an interpretivist paradigm, used a multiple case study approach, collecting evidence through semi-structured interviews and gathering relevant documentation to investigate how the participant teachers from three case study primary schools were using Learning Stories.  
The research provides an insight into the participants’ views about the use of Learning Stories in their primary school settings.  There is little existing research about the use of Learning Stories in primary schools and this research provides interested educators with some of the benefits for using Learning Stories in a primary school context.  Key findings within this research indicate that Learning Stories are an effective way to assess both dispositional and academic progress, for highlighting learner strengths, and providing a framework to assess progress over time.

year: 2021

title: The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Structure and Properties of Hemp/PLA Composites

authors: Jayaraman, Jeevan

subjects: PLA

abstract: This project focuses on bio-derived composites made from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and hemp as well as the influence of PLA crystallinity on material properties. 
It is known that crystallinity can occur as spherulites within a polymer matrix bulk and as transcrystallinity on fibre surfaces in thermoplastic matrix composites. In addition, thermal history is known to influence the degree of crystallinity of polymer materials. The aim of this project was to study the effect of heat treatment or  annealing  on crystallinity and the influence of this on properties of hemp/PLA composites. 
	Composites were observed to become more opaque during heat treatment and increased crystallinity after heat treatment was seen using optical microscopy. XRD and DSC results showed that crystallinity was much higher for composites than PLA, supporting the fibre acting as a nucleating agent. There was no apparent change to tensile strength with increased heat treatment for PLA, however, for composite samples, increased heat treatment led to a small reduction in average tensile strength. Although there was no discernable trend for change of fracture toughness with increased crystallinity for PLA, it decreased for composite materials. It appears that the increased crystallinity present in the composite in combination with increased stress concentration due to the presence of fibres is reducing composite toughness as well as leading to premature failure in tensile tests due to PLA brittleness explaining lower strengths for composites. DMTA suggests that increase in crystallinity contributes to thermal stability of the composite.

text: The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Structure and Properties of Hemp/PLA Composites This project focuses on bio-derived composites made from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and hemp as well as the influence of PLA crystallinity on material properties. 
It is known that crystallinity can occur as spherulites within a polymer matrix bulk and as transcrystallinity on fibre surfaces in thermoplastic matrix composites. In addition, thermal history is known to influence the degree of crystallinity of polymer materials. The aim of this project was to study the effect of heat treatment or  annealing  on crystallinity and the influence of this on properties of hemp/PLA composites. 
	Composites were observed to become more opaque during heat treatment and increased crystallinity after heat treatment was seen using optical microscopy. XRD and DSC results showed that crystallinity was much higher for composites than PLA, supporting the fibre acting as a nucleating agent. There was no apparent change to tensile strength with increased heat treatment for PLA, however, for composite samples, increased heat treatment led to a small reduction in average tensile strength. Although there was no discernable trend for change of fracture toughness with increased crystallinity for PLA, it decreased for composite materials. It appears that the increased crystallinity present in the composite in combination with increased stress concentration due to the presence of fibres is reducing composite toughness as well as leading to premature failure in tensile tests due to PLA brittleness explaining lower strengths for composites. DMTA suggests that increase in crystallinity contributes to thermal stability of the composite.

year: 2010

title: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Te Rau Puawai support team and staff perspectives

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori students

abstract: To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
The Te Rau Puawai support team were identified as an important source of support
for bursars particularly the support provided by the coordinator and administrator.
This report documents the perspectives of four members of the telephone support
team (including the coordinator), and individual interviews held with the coordinator
and the administrator in addressing the objectives of the evaluation.

text: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Te Rau Puawai support team and staff perspectives To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
The Te Rau Puawai support team were identified as an important source of support
for bursars particularly the support provided by the coordinator and administrator.
This report documents the perspectives of four members of the telephone support
team (including the coordinator), and individual interviews held with the coordinator
and the administrator in addressing the objectives of the evaluation.

year: 2002-05-01