title: Distributed Operating Systems on Wireless Sensor Networks

authors: Hunkin, Paul Wade

subjects: Wireless Sensor Networks

abstract: This thesis proposes the use of traditional distributed operating system and distributed systems techniques that are adapted and applied to the wireless sensor network domain. These techniques are applied to the creation of a wireless sensor network operating system that allows complex applications to be created without special programmer knowledge of sensor network programming or architecture. The resulting system is capable of executing a high level user application written in conventional single-system-image form, without the user being aware of the mesh architecture or underlying sensor node hardware.

A wireless sensor network is a collection of battery-powered embedded systems that communicate over low-bandwidth radio. Because of their limited hardware, niche deployments and use of embedded processors, programming techniques for wireless sensor network nodes are generally relatively esoteric compared to most software programming tasks. This can be relatively complex for programmers not familiar with the wireless sensor network domain. A naive approach to writing a wireless sensor network application may well result in considerably reduced battery life due to inefficient use of the limited power resources, requiring an expensive and time-consuming replacement or patching process. 

As a result of this complexity, traditional wireless sensor network applications are written as simply as possible. The majority of these applications simply move passive data readings back across a mesh to a more powerful server. While this is a sufficiently effective approach in some situations, for other sensor network deployments involving large amounts of complex data it is more efficient for the sensor network application to process at least some of the data inside the mesh, saving on unnecessary data transmissions. However in the real world, the complexity of writing such an application in many cases precludes this from being created. An operating system that provides power-efficient distributed processing while presenting a more standard unified single system image to the application developer would provide new possibilities for sensor network application developers in terms of creating dynamic and complex sensor network applications. 

This thesis covers the design decisions, development process and evaluation of the Hydra distributed wireless sensor network operating system, an operating system that provides these services. The system is evaluated in the form of a scenario for monitoring intruders over a large area using accelerometer monitoring -- during this scenario, power efficiency is gained due to the intelligent Hydra operating system services, as the resulting accelerometer data is not moved across potentially multi-hop network links. Application code complexity is also reduced due to the higher-level single system image programming environment.

text: Distributed Operating Systems on Wireless Sensor Networks This thesis proposes the use of traditional distributed operating system and distributed systems techniques that are adapted and applied to the wireless sensor network domain. These techniques are applied to the creation of a wireless sensor network operating system that allows complex applications to be created without special programmer knowledge of sensor network programming or architecture. The resulting system is capable of executing a high level user application written in conventional single-system-image form, without the user being aware of the mesh architecture or underlying sensor node hardware.

A wireless sensor network is a collection of battery-powered embedded systems that communicate over low-bandwidth radio. Because of their limited hardware, niche deployments and use of embedded processors, programming techniques for wireless sensor network nodes are generally relatively esoteric compared to most software programming tasks. This can be relatively complex for programmers not familiar with the wireless sensor network domain. A naive approach to writing a wireless sensor network application may well result in considerably reduced battery life due to inefficient use of the limited power resources, requiring an expensive and time-consuming replacement or patching process. 

As a result of this complexity, traditional wireless sensor network applications are written as simply as possible. The majority of these applications simply move passive data readings back across a mesh to a more powerful server. While this is a sufficiently effective approach in some situations, for other sensor network deployments involving large amounts of complex data it is more efficient for the sensor network application to process at least some of the data inside the mesh, saving on unnecessary data transmissions. However in the real world, the complexity of writing such an application in many cases precludes this from being created. An operating system that provides power-efficient distributed processing while presenting a more standard unified single system image to the application developer would provide new possibilities for sensor network application developers in terms of creating dynamic and complex sensor network applications. 

This thesis covers the design decisions, development process and evaluation of the Hydra distributed wireless sensor network operating system, an operating system that provides these services. The system is evaluated in the form of a scenario for monitoring intruders over a large area using accelerometer monitoring -- during this scenario, power efficiency is gained due to the intelligent Hydra operating system services, as the resulting accelerometer data is not moved across potentially multi-hop network links. Application code complexity is also reduced due to the higher-level single system image programming environment.

year: 2017

title: Gifted and talented education in New Zealand schools: A decade later

authors: Bicknell, Brenda

subjects: Gifted education

abstract: In 2004, the Ministry of Education released research investigating identification of and provisions for gifted and talented students in New Zealand Schools (Riley, Bevan-Brown, Bicknell, Carroll-Lind, & Kearney, 2004). This was landmark research: the first national study of gifted and talented education funded by the Ministry and released alongside a range of initiatives for students and those who identify and educate them in the schooling sector. The research comprised a comprehensive review of the literature, a national survey of schools, and ten case studies of best practice, with an aim of creating “a roadmap for future research and initiatives” (2004, p. 36).

text: Gifted and talented education in New Zealand schools: A decade later In 2004, the Ministry of Education released research investigating identification of and provisions for gifted and talented students in New Zealand Schools (Riley, Bevan-Brown, Bicknell, Carroll-Lind, & Kearney, 2004). This was landmark research: the first national study of gifted and talented education funded by the Ministry and released alongside a range of initiatives for students and those who identify and educate them in the schooling sector. The research comprised a comprehensive review of the literature, a national survey of schools, and ten case studies of best practice, with an aim of creating “a roadmap for future research and initiatives” (2004, p. 36).

year: 2013

title: Ngā Hua a Tāne Rore: The Benefits of Kapa Haka.

authors: Pihama, Leonie

abstract: This report presentsthe findings of scoping research that is focused on developing a research agenda that will enable a greater understanding of the value and contribution of kapa haka to Aotearoa New Zealand society, and which explores the multiple ways in which we may view the value and contribution of kapa haka within cultural, social and economic contexts.
• There was a unanimous and resounding view that kapa haka does indeed make a valuable contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand society, but that its value is not fully understood or acknowledged within Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The most important components of kapa haka are its intrinsic link to culture and Māori identity, and the essential element of whanaungatanga, the importance of people and connectedness.
• Kapa haka has a dynamic role as a vehicle for the revitalisation and retention of te reo, tikanga, ritual processes and histories.
• It is perceived as a gateway into the culture for Māori who are disengaged from their marae/hapū/iwi, as well as as a safe, inclusive activity through which all New Zealanders can engage with Māori culture.
• Kapa haka is seen as a medium for fostering a richer, more cohesive and inclusive society in Aotearoa New Zealand. As such, it makes a major contribution to building and strengthening New Zealand’s nationhood.
• Kapa haka makes a significant contribution to New Zealand’s national identity and how we are represented and viewed internationally. It provides an effective platform for creating meaningful connections with other nations and peoples.
• Māori culture/kapa haka is increasingly utilised to add value to many forums, both formal and informal, within the public and government sectors. This was seen by some to reflect a more embracing attitude toward Māori cultural protocols as a normal part of New Zealand’s social fabric.
• Kapa haka is not, however, being given the status or respect it deserves as a cultural icon. Because its significance is not well understood by non-Māori, particularly at the level of government, it is often treated in a tokenistic way.
• A major component of kapa haka is its power to effect wellbeing, and to positively transform the lives of individuals and communities. A strength of the movement towards increased health and fitness within kapa haka is that it is achieved collectively.
• An important social benefit of kapa haka is that it provides a positive, disciplined, strength-based environment for rangatahi.
• Kapa haka is having a powerful, transformative impact on social outcomes through the BMPA (Māori performing arts degree), which enables people involved in kapa haka who would otherwise never have considered tertiary education as an option, to embark on that journey and exceed their
own expectations.
• An overall feeling of optimism about the future of kapa haka was tempered by the conviction that there was much more potential to be explored within the realm of kapa haka, particularly in terms of its social benefits.
• The myriad benefits of kapa haka within school environments, including improved learning outcomes, were clearly attested to. However, some barriers to realising those improved outcomes were also identified.
• Some participants were very sure ofthe economic value of kapa haka to Aotearoa. Whilemost of them were less able to articulate specific economic outcomes, they nonetheless had a definite sense of the link between the cultural, social and economic, and that that was ofsignificant value.
• The immense value of ‘culture-to-culture’ relationships was identified, with Maōri culture, including kapa haka, playing a significant role in laying the foundations for lasting trade relationships with other nations, and other cultures.
• Two significant and largely unacknowledged areas of economic contribution were identified: the ‘silent’ economy generated by kapa haka activities; and the extensive ‘productivity’ activity around voluntary workers involved in kapa haka.
• There was an overall view that the economic potential of kapa haka is underestimated and needs to be explored more fully, including the potential for engagement with New Zealand’s private sector.
• A recurrent theme that emerged around the value of kapa haka was to do with how we should go about measuring the value of culture, knowledge and art, and how ‘value’ itselfshould be defined and measured.
• Economic challenges were identified, especially in terms of financial hardship for those involved in kapa haka at the competitive level. It was also noted, however, that kapa haka communities are naturally adept and endlessly resourceful at generating funds.
• The issue of sustainability was raised by some participants who were concerned that kapa haka should be supported at every level into the future, and not just at the high-end competitive level.
• Of fundamental importance was that the growth and development of kapa haka should take place within the context of the acceptance and embracing of Māori culture as an integral component of New Zealand identity and nationhood.

text: Ngā Hua a Tāne Rore: The Benefits of Kapa Haka. This report presentsthe findings of scoping research that is focused on developing a research agenda that will enable a greater understanding of the value and contribution of kapa haka to Aotearoa New Zealand society, and which explores the multiple ways in which we may view the value and contribution of kapa haka within cultural, social and economic contexts.
• There was a unanimous and resounding view that kapa haka does indeed make a valuable contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand society, but that its value is not fully understood or acknowledged within Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The most important components of kapa haka are its intrinsic link to culture and Māori identity, and the essential element of whanaungatanga, the importance of people and connectedness.
• Kapa haka has a dynamic role as a vehicle for the revitalisation and retention of te reo, tikanga, ritual processes and histories.
• It is perceived as a gateway into the culture for Māori who are disengaged from their marae/hapū/iwi, as well as as a safe, inclusive activity through which all New Zealanders can engage with Māori culture.
• Kapa haka is seen as a medium for fostering a richer, more cohesive and inclusive society in Aotearoa New Zealand. As such, it makes a major contribution to building and strengthening New Zealand’s nationhood.
• Kapa haka makes a significant contribution to New Zealand’s national identity and how we are represented and viewed internationally. It provides an effective platform for creating meaningful connections with other nations and peoples.
• Māori culture/kapa haka is increasingly utilised to add value to many forums, both formal and informal, within the public and government sectors. This was seen by some to reflect a more embracing attitude toward Māori cultural protocols as a normal part of New Zealand’s social fabric.
• Kapa haka is not, however, being given the status or respect it deserves as a cultural icon. Because its significance is not well understood by non-Māori, particularly at the level of government, it is often treated in a tokenistic way.
• A major component of kapa haka is its power to effect wellbeing, and to positively transform the lives of individuals and communities. A strength of the movement towards increased health and fitness within kapa haka is that it is achieved collectively.
• An important social benefit of kapa haka is that it provides a positive, disciplined, strength-based environment for rangatahi.
• Kapa haka is having a powerful, transformative impact on social outcomes through the BMPA (Māori performing arts degree), which enables people involved in kapa haka who would otherwise never have considered tertiary education as an option, to embark on that journey and exceed their
own expectations.
• An overall feeling of optimism about the future of kapa haka was tempered by the conviction that there was much more potential to be explored within the realm of kapa haka, particularly in terms of its social benefits.
• The myriad benefits of kapa haka within school environments, including improved learning outcomes, were clearly attested to. However, some barriers to realising those improved outcomes were also identified.
• Some participants were very sure ofthe economic value of kapa haka to Aotearoa. Whilemost of them were less able to articulate specific economic outcomes, they nonetheless had a definite sense of the link between the cultural, social and economic, and that that was ofsignificant value.
• The immense value of ‘culture-to-culture’ relationships was identified, with Maōri culture, including kapa haka, playing a significant role in laying the foundations for lasting trade relationships with other nations, and other cultures.
• Two significant and largely unacknowledged areas of economic contribution were identified: the ‘silent’ economy generated by kapa haka activities; and the extensive ‘productivity’ activity around voluntary workers involved in kapa haka.
• There was an overall view that the economic potential of kapa haka is underestimated and needs to be explored more fully, including the potential for engagement with New Zealand’s private sector.
• A recurrent theme that emerged around the value of kapa haka was to do with how we should go about measuring the value of culture, knowledge and art, and how ‘value’ itselfshould be defined and measured.
• Economic challenges were identified, especially in terms of financial hardship for those involved in kapa haka at the competitive level. It was also noted, however, that kapa haka communities are naturally adept and endlessly resourceful at generating funds.
• The issue of sustainability was raised by some participants who were concerned that kapa haka should be supported at every level into the future, and not just at the high-end competitive level.
• Of fundamental importance was that the growth and development of kapa haka should take place within the context of the acceptance and embracing of Māori culture as an integral component of New Zealand identity and nationhood.

year: 2014