title: Learner Modelling for Individualised Reading in a Second Language

authors: Walmsley, Michael R.W.

abstract: Extensive reading is an effective language learning technique that involves fast reading of large quantities of easy and interesting second language (L2) text. However, graded readers used by beginner learners are expensive and often dull. The alternative is text written for native speakers (authentic text), which is generally too difficult for beginners. The aim of this research is to overcome this problem by developing a computer-assisted approach that enables learners of all abilities to perform effective extensive reading using freely-available text on the web.
This thesis describes the research, development and evaluation of a complex software system called FERN that combines learner modelling and iCALL with narrow reading of electronic text. The system incorporates four key components: (1) automatic glossing of difficult words in texts, (2) individualised search engine for locating interesting texts of appropriate difficulty, (3) supplementary exercises for introducing key vocabulary and reviewing difficult words and (4) reliably monitoring reading and reporting progress. FERN was optimised for English speakers learning Spanish, but is easily adapted for learners of others languages.
The suitability of the FERN system was evaluated through corpus analysis, machine translation analysis and a year-long study with second year university Spanish class. The machine translation analysis combined with the classroom study demonstrated that the word and phrase error rate generated in FERN is low enough to validate the use of machine translation to automatically generate glosses, but is high enough that a translation dictionary is required as a backup. The classroom study demonstrated that when aided by glosses students can read at over 100 words per minute if they know 95% of the words, whereas compared to the 98% word knowledge required for effective unaided extensive reading. A corpus analysis demonstrated that beginner learners of Spanish can do effective narrow reading of news articles using FERN after learning only 200–300 high-frequency word families, in addition to familiarity with English-Spanish cognates and proper nouns.
FERN also reliably monitors reading speeds and word counts, and provides motivating progress reports, which enable teachers to set concrete reading goals that dramatically increase the quantity that students read, as demonstrated in the user study.

text: Learner Modelling for Individualised Reading in a Second Language Extensive reading is an effective language learning technique that involves fast reading of large quantities of easy and interesting second language (L2) text. However, graded readers used by beginner learners are expensive and often dull. The alternative is text written for native speakers (authentic text), which is generally too difficult for beginners. The aim of this research is to overcome this problem by developing a computer-assisted approach that enables learners of all abilities to perform effective extensive reading using freely-available text on the web.
This thesis describes the research, development and evaluation of a complex software system called FERN that combines learner modelling and iCALL with narrow reading of electronic text. The system incorporates four key components: (1) automatic glossing of difficult words in texts, (2) individualised search engine for locating interesting texts of appropriate difficulty, (3) supplementary exercises for introducing key vocabulary and reviewing difficult words and (4) reliably monitoring reading and reporting progress. FERN was optimised for English speakers learning Spanish, but is easily adapted for learners of others languages.
The suitability of the FERN system was evaluated through corpus analysis, machine translation analysis and a year-long study with second year university Spanish class. The machine translation analysis combined with the classroom study demonstrated that the word and phrase error rate generated in FERN is low enough to validate the use of machine translation to automatically generate glosses, but is high enough that a translation dictionary is required as a backup. The classroom study demonstrated that when aided by glosses students can read at over 100 words per minute if they know 95% of the words, whereas compared to the 98% word knowledge required for effective unaided extensive reading. A corpus analysis demonstrated that beginner learners of Spanish can do effective narrow reading of news articles using FERN after learning only 200–300 high-frequency word families, in addition to familiarity with English-Spanish cognates and proper nouns.
FERN also reliably monitors reading speeds and word counts, and provides motivating progress reports, which enable teachers to set concrete reading goals that dramatically increase the quantity that students read, as demonstrated in the user study.

year: 2015

title: Wave dissipation by flexible vegetation

authors: Riffe, Kassi C.

subjects: wave

abstract: Dissipation of waves propagating through natural salt marsh vegetation was about half the dissipation expected for rigid vegetation. This low dissipation was predicted by a theoretical model that accounts for bending of vegetation by wave motions. A transect of 3 pulse-coherent Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers recorded water velocity and pressure (at 8 Hz) within the dense (650 stems/m²) canopy of semi-flexible single-stem vegetation (Schoenoplectus americanus). Most wave energy (56 - 81%) was dissipated within 19 m of the marsh edge. Two dissipation models, the first assuming rigid vegetation, and the second simulating wave-forced vegetation motion using the theory for bending of linearly-elastic beams, were tested. After choosing optimal drag coefficients, both models yielded a good fit to the observed dissipation (skill score = 0.95 - 0.99). However, fitted drag coefficients for the rigid model (0.58 - 0.78) were below the range (0.98 - 2.2) expected for the observed Reynolds numbers (13 - 450) and canopy densities (accounting for interactions between stem wakes), whereas drag coefficients for the flexible model (0.97 - 1.6) were nearer the expected range, indicating that prediction of wave dissipation was improved by simulating vegetation motion.

text: Wave dissipation by flexible vegetation Dissipation of waves propagating through natural salt marsh vegetation was about half the dissipation expected for rigid vegetation. This low dissipation was predicted by a theoretical model that accounts for bending of vegetation by wave motions. A transect of 3 pulse-coherent Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers recorded water velocity and pressure (at 8 Hz) within the dense (650 stems/m²) canopy of semi-flexible single-stem vegetation (Schoenoplectus americanus). Most wave energy (56 - 81%) was dissipated within 19 m of the marsh edge. Two dissipation models, the first assuming rigid vegetation, and the second simulating wave-forced vegetation motion using the theory for bending of linearly-elastic beams, were tested. After choosing optimal drag coefficients, both models yielded a good fit to the observed dissipation (skill score = 0.95 - 0.99). However, fitted drag coefficients for the rigid model (0.58 - 0.78) were below the range (0.98 - 2.2) expected for the observed Reynolds numbers (13 - 450) and canopy densities (accounting for interactions between stem wakes), whereas drag coefficients for the flexible model (0.97 - 1.6) were nearer the expected range, indicating that prediction of wave dissipation was improved by simulating vegetation motion.

year: 2011

title: Te Kotahitanga Phase 3 School Reform: The impact of a professional development programme within a large, multi-cultural, secondary school in New Zealand.

authors: Cranston, Shirley Ann

subjects: Te Kotahitanga Phase 3

abstract: This thesis examines the impact of Te Kotahitanga on leaders, teachers and Māori students within the context of a large, multi-cultural, secondary school in New Zealand. This school was one of twelve secondary schools invited to join Phase 3 of the Te Kotahitanga Research and Development Project from 2003 to 2010. This initiative aimed to work with teachers and school leaders to improve the engagement and success of Māori students. 
This thesis presents and reflects on qualitative evidence from interviews with the leaders, the Te Kotahitanga facilitation team and teachers in this school. Evidence from the Rongohia te Hau survey and teachers’ classroom walkthroughs provide further qualitative and quantitative evidence.  To observe some of the results of teachers’ work with Māori students, it then discusses Māori students’ Rongohia te Hau survey data and their NCEA results from 2004 – 2010, and post 2010 up to the reactivation of Te Kotahitanga in this school in 2013.
There are three themes that emerged from my findings. The first theme identifies leadership as a key emerging concept and the important role of Rangatira (school leaders) in bringing people together around a common vision. The spread of the programme across the school clearly emerged as the second theme, where this education reform was spread through relationships of whānautanga. Thirdly, the theme of ownership towards sustainability emerged from the findings. Ownership required working as one towards the common unity of purpose (Kotahitanga). The evidence shows that when Te Kotahitanga was fully implemented in this school and it did work during the period of this study and again when Te Kotahitanga was reactivated in 2013. However, although the school had been working on ownership towards sustainability of positive changes, sustainability did not ensue.
This thesis suggests that once a school has established a common vision that is clearly understood by all the leaders and teachers in the school, everyone has to remain committed to that vision. To be successful the moral imperative for any reform towards social justice has to be fully committed to and understood by the leaders of the school and all the teachers.  
This thesis hopes to contribute to the journey other schools might take in their commitment to raising the participation and academic achievement of Māori students.

text: Te Kotahitanga Phase 3 School Reform: The impact of a professional development programme within a large, multi-cultural, secondary school in New Zealand. This thesis examines the impact of Te Kotahitanga on leaders, teachers and Māori students within the context of a large, multi-cultural, secondary school in New Zealand. This school was one of twelve secondary schools invited to join Phase 3 of the Te Kotahitanga Research and Development Project from 2003 to 2010. This initiative aimed to work with teachers and school leaders to improve the engagement and success of Māori students. 
This thesis presents and reflects on qualitative evidence from interviews with the leaders, the Te Kotahitanga facilitation team and teachers in this school. Evidence from the Rongohia te Hau survey and teachers’ classroom walkthroughs provide further qualitative and quantitative evidence.  To observe some of the results of teachers’ work with Māori students, it then discusses Māori students’ Rongohia te Hau survey data and their NCEA results from 2004 – 2010, and post 2010 up to the reactivation of Te Kotahitanga in this school in 2013.
There are three themes that emerged from my findings. The first theme identifies leadership as a key emerging concept and the important role of Rangatira (school leaders) in bringing people together around a common vision. The spread of the programme across the school clearly emerged as the second theme, where this education reform was spread through relationships of whānautanga. Thirdly, the theme of ownership towards sustainability emerged from the findings. Ownership required working as one towards the common unity of purpose (Kotahitanga). The evidence shows that when Te Kotahitanga was fully implemented in this school and it did work during the period of this study and again when Te Kotahitanga was reactivated in 2013. However, although the school had been working on ownership towards sustainability of positive changes, sustainability did not ensue.
This thesis suggests that once a school has established a common vision that is clearly understood by all the leaders and teachers in the school, everyone has to remain committed to that vision. To be successful the moral imperative for any reform towards social justice has to be fully committed to and understood by the leaders of the school and all the teachers.  
This thesis hopes to contribute to the journey other schools might take in their commitment to raising the participation and academic achievement of Māori students.

year: 2018