title: Early childhood student teachers’ beliefs about the role of the teacher and how young children learn

authors: Mitchell, Jill Winifred

abstract: The purpose of this research was, firstly, to explore early childhood student teachers’ beliefs about the role of the teacher and how young children learn. Secondly, it was to examine formative influences on participants’ beliefs and, thirdly, to ascertain any changes or modifications over a three-year period. Seventeen students completed five questionnaires and of these seven, who were the case study students, were interviewed and observed on teaching practice. Stories were written with each of these seven participants and their case studies prepared. Data were coded, analysed and grouped into themes. Changes or modifications to beliefs were charted for group and individual data for all 17 students. The results indicated that the beliefs student teachers’ construct are powerfully informed by experiences prior to the teacher education programme and that the family is perceived as particularly influential.
Beliefs were dynamic; they developed and changed over a three-year period. Some of these beliefs were reflected in practice. To demonstrate the dynamic nature of beliefs, a taxonomy was developed to explain the status of the different beliefs held by students. It is argued that it is simplistic to speak of student beliefs as though they all have the same degree of tenacity, power and influence over how a student teacher thinks and acts. Implications for teacher education and further research were discussed.

text: Early childhood student teachers’ beliefs about the role of the teacher and how young children learn The purpose of this research was, firstly, to explore early childhood student teachers’ beliefs about the role of the teacher and how young children learn. Secondly, it was to examine formative influences on participants’ beliefs and, thirdly, to ascertain any changes or modifications over a three-year period. Seventeen students completed five questionnaires and of these seven, who were the case study students, were interviewed and observed on teaching practice. Stories were written with each of these seven participants and their case studies prepared. Data were coded, analysed and grouped into themes. Changes or modifications to beliefs were charted for group and individual data for all 17 students. The results indicated that the beliefs student teachers’ construct are powerfully informed by experiences prior to the teacher education programme and that the family is perceived as particularly influential.
Beliefs were dynamic; they developed and changed over a three-year period. Some of these beliefs were reflected in practice. To demonstrate the dynamic nature of beliefs, a taxonomy was developed to explain the status of the different beliefs held by students. It is argued that it is simplistic to speak of student beliefs as though they all have the same degree of tenacity, power and influence over how a student teacher thinks and acts. Implications for teacher education and further research were discussed.

year: 2001

title: Reproductive competition in the context of a superorganism

authors: Carta, Epernay

abstract: Population density is a fundamental ecological factor that shapes the intensity of competition within a species. Increased density often intensifies competition for resources and mates, driving the evolution of diverse adaptive responses in behaviour, morphology and physiology. A key area where density-mediated competition manifests is in sperm competition. This occurs when sperm from multiple males compete to fertilise the ova of a female. Species facing intense competition exhibit a range of adaptations, including adjustments in sperm production, ejaculate characteristics, and mating strategies. Elevated population density is a major factor that can exacerbate sperm competition, further amplifying these evolutionary pressures. Within this context, this thesis investigates the effects of apiary density on reproductive strategies and drone physiology in the honey bee (Apis mellifera), a highly social insect that exhibits a complex interplay between individual and colony- level responses. Apiary density, characterised by the number of colonies within a defined area, was manipulated across three treatments: low (8 colonies), medium (60-68 colonies), and high (120 colonies). Drone brood production and comb allocation (both drone and worker) were measured monthly to assess colony-level investment in reproduction versus worker production. Total sperm count and the proportion of viable sperm were assessed in drones collected from each density treatment to evaluate sperm competition dynamics. Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) levels, a biomarker of cellular stress, were quantified in drones from each treatment using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Colonies in high-density apiaries exhibited significantly increased drone brood production and higher total sperm counts compared to those in low-density apiaries. However, worker comb production was significantly reduced in high-density apiaries, suggesting a trade-off between resource allocation towards reproduction and colony maintenance. Sperm viability varied across densities and seasons, with low-density treatments having a higher proportion of viable sperm in early summer and medium-density treatments showing higher viability in late summer. This suggests that while high-density may favour increased sperm quantity, lower densities might facilitate greater investment in sperm quality. Apiary density significantly predicted HSP70 concentration in drones, with drones from high-density apiaries displaying significantly elevated levels, indicating increased physiological stress. These findings suggest that colonies in high-density environments experience intensified sperm competition, responding by increasing drone and sperm production. However, the observed variation in sperm viability and reduced worker comb production implies that this augmented reproductive investment may compromise overall colony function. The elevated HSP70 levels further corroborate that drones in high-density apiaries are subjected to greater physiological stress. Crucially, this study provides a unique perspective by demonstrating that apiary density, a factor often controlled in beekeeping, acts as a significant driver of reproductive strategies and physiological stress at both the colony and individual drone level within a superorganism. This highlights the profound impact of a managed environmental parameter on the evolutionary dynamics of a highly social species, offering critical insights for sustainable apicultural practices.

text: Reproductive competition in the context of a superorganism Population density is a fundamental ecological factor that shapes the intensity of competition within a species. Increased density often intensifies competition for resources and mates, driving the evolution of diverse adaptive responses in behaviour, morphology and physiology. A key area where density-mediated competition manifests is in sperm competition. This occurs when sperm from multiple males compete to fertilise the ova of a female. Species facing intense competition exhibit a range of adaptations, including adjustments in sperm production, ejaculate characteristics, and mating strategies. Elevated population density is a major factor that can exacerbate sperm competition, further amplifying these evolutionary pressures. Within this context, this thesis investigates the effects of apiary density on reproductive strategies and drone physiology in the honey bee (Apis mellifera), a highly social insect that exhibits a complex interplay between individual and colony- level responses. Apiary density, characterised by the number of colonies within a defined area, was manipulated across three treatments: low (8 colonies), medium (60-68 colonies), and high (120 colonies). Drone brood production and comb allocation (both drone and worker) were measured monthly to assess colony-level investment in reproduction versus worker production. Total sperm count and the proportion of viable sperm were assessed in drones collected from each density treatment to evaluate sperm competition dynamics. Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) levels, a biomarker of cellular stress, were quantified in drones from each treatment using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Colonies in high-density apiaries exhibited significantly increased drone brood production and higher total sperm counts compared to those in low-density apiaries. However, worker comb production was significantly reduced in high-density apiaries, suggesting a trade-off between resource allocation towards reproduction and colony maintenance. Sperm viability varied across densities and seasons, with low-density treatments having a higher proportion of viable sperm in early summer and medium-density treatments showing higher viability in late summer. This suggests that while high-density may favour increased sperm quantity, lower densities might facilitate greater investment in sperm quality. Apiary density significantly predicted HSP70 concentration in drones, with drones from high-density apiaries displaying significantly elevated levels, indicating increased physiological stress. These findings suggest that colonies in high-density environments experience intensified sperm competition, responding by increasing drone and sperm production. However, the observed variation in sperm viability and reduced worker comb production implies that this augmented reproductive investment may compromise overall colony function. The elevated HSP70 levels further corroborate that drones in high-density apiaries are subjected to greater physiological stress. Crucially, this study provides a unique perspective by demonstrating that apiary density, a factor often controlled in beekeeping, acts as a significant driver of reproductive strategies and physiological stress at both the colony and individual drone level within a superorganism. This highlights the profound impact of a managed environmental parameter on the evolutionary dynamics of a highly social species, offering critical insights for sustainable apicultural practices.

year: 2025

title: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Academic mentor's 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.
As an integral component of the Te Rau Puawai programme and as a specialised
source of support, academic mentors were identified as an important group to receive
comment from. This report documents the evaluative exchange that occurred by way
of email questionnaire, that we had with 18 out of 46 academic mentors of Te Rau
Puawai bursars in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences responded to our
questionnaire.

text: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Academic mentor's 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.
As an integral component of the Te Rau Puawai programme and as a specialised
source of support, academic mentors were identified as an important group to receive
comment from. This report documents the evaluative exchange that occurred by way
of email questionnaire, that we had with 18 out of 46 academic mentors of Te Rau
Puawai bursars in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences responded to our
questionnaire.

year: 2002-05-01