title: Teachers’ perceptions of the impact of a one-year in-service teacher education programme in the Solomon Islands

authors: Edwards, Richard

subjects: teacher development

abstract: The recent development of a one-year campus-based teacher education programme in the Solomon Islands was intended as a step towards improving access to teacher development opportunities for local teachers wanting to upgrade their skills and qualifications. A group of ten teachers from the second cohort of this programme was interviewed individually to explore their perceptions of the impact that their involvement in the programme had on their teaching and on their lives as teachers. A thematic analysis indicated that the teachers perceived some important benefits in the areas of classroom practice, school leadership and management, and teacher professional skills. It also identified a number of challenges that the teachers felt made it difficult to implement what they had learnt, including a lack of resources, the nature of the local classroom, and the responses of their colleagues. In highlighting specific issues in this context, this research contributes to the sparse literature on teacher development in the Solomon Islands and in the wider Pacific.

text: Teachers’ perceptions of the impact of a one-year in-service teacher education programme in the Solomon Islands The recent development of a one-year campus-based teacher education programme in the Solomon Islands was intended as a step towards improving access to teacher development opportunities for local teachers wanting to upgrade their skills and qualifications. A group of ten teachers from the second cohort of this programme was interviewed individually to explore their perceptions of the impact that their involvement in the programme had on their teaching and on their lives as teachers. A thematic analysis indicated that the teachers perceived some important benefits in the areas of classroom practice, school leadership and management, and teacher professional skills. It also identified a number of challenges that the teachers felt made it difficult to implement what they had learnt, including a lack of resources, the nature of the local classroom, and the responses of their colleagues. In highlighting specific issues in this context, this research contributes to the sparse literature on teacher development in the Solomon Islands and in the wider Pacific.

year: 2016

title: Assessing vulnerability of New Zealand lakes to loss of conservation value from invasive fish impacts

authors: Collier, Kevin J.

subjects: lake

abstract: 1. Predictions of invasion risk for seven non-indigenous fish species, ecological impact scores for individual species, and lake conservation rankings were linked to develop Invasion Risk Impact (IRI) and Lake Vulnerability (LV) indices that help identify New Zealand lakes most at risk of loss of conservation value from potential multi-species invasions.
2. Species-specific IRI scores (the product of predicted invasion risk and species impact) highlighted Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) and the brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), as the species most likely to spread and cause ecological harm in lakes. For 3431 lakes >1 ha throughout New Zealand, total IRI tended to be highest for lowland riverine and dune lakes most of which are already colonized by multiple invasive fish species.
3. The LV index indicated that lakes most at risk of loss of conservation value from invasive fish impacts were predominantly (i) in the northern half of the North Island where several uncommon lake types occur, and (ii) along the west coast of the South Island where conservation value is often greater, largely because of low catchment modification.
4. The IRI and LV indices can be used to assist with setting priorities for surveillance monitoring, advocacy, and response planning targeted at preventing the establishment of invasive fish in moderate-to-high value lakes most susceptible to ecological impacts. Both indices can be adapted to accommodate alternative impact and conservation scoring systems, providing a flexible tool for local- and national-scale assessments of lake vulnerability to fish invasion impacts.

text: Assessing vulnerability of New Zealand lakes to loss of conservation value from invasive fish impacts 1. Predictions of invasion risk for seven non-indigenous fish species, ecological impact scores for individual species, and lake conservation rankings were linked to develop Invasion Risk Impact (IRI) and Lake Vulnerability (LV) indices that help identify New Zealand lakes most at risk of loss of conservation value from potential multi-species invasions.
2. Species-specific IRI scores (the product of predicted invasion risk and species impact) highlighted Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) and the brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), as the species most likely to spread and cause ecological harm in lakes. For 3431 lakes >1 ha throughout New Zealand, total IRI tended to be highest for lowland riverine and dune lakes most of which are already colonized by multiple invasive fish species.
3. The LV index indicated that lakes most at risk of loss of conservation value from invasive fish impacts were predominantly (i) in the northern half of the North Island where several uncommon lake types occur, and (ii) along the west coast of the South Island where conservation value is often greater, largely because of low catchment modification.
4. The IRI and LV indices can be used to assist with setting priorities for surveillance monitoring, advocacy, and response planning targeted at preventing the establishment of invasive fish in moderate-to-high value lakes most susceptible to ecological impacts. Both indices can be adapted to accommodate alternative impact and conservation scoring systems, providing a flexible tool for local- and national-scale assessments of lake vulnerability to fish invasion impacts.

year: 2016

title: Cultural tattoos: meanings, descriptors, and attributions

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori

abstract: Body piercing and tattoo/ta moko were initially seen to be practiced by sailors,
criminals, specific cultural groups (e.g., Māori), or sub-cultural groups (e.g., bikers,
gang members, adolescents). In recent times, these practices have become part of
mainstream popular culture, and are enjoyed by a wide range of people. In this
study, we set out to explore patterns of body modifying behaviour engaged in, or
commented on, by a sample of university students. We invited undergraduate
psychology students from two courses to complete an ‘online’ questionnaire.
Students logged on to a web site, were presented with an information sheet, and
invited to respond. In this paper, we present the reasons why people in this sample
decided to obtain a tattoo and the meanings they ascribe to their modifications. We
will also consider the observations that people make of those who have culturally
inspired tattoos.

text: Cultural tattoos: meanings, descriptors, and attributions Body piercing and tattoo/ta moko were initially seen to be practiced by sailors,
criminals, specific cultural groups (e.g., Māori), or sub-cultural groups (e.g., bikers,
gang members, adolescents). In recent times, these practices have become part of
mainstream popular culture, and are enjoyed by a wide range of people. In this
study, we set out to explore patterns of body modifying behaviour engaged in, or
commented on, by a sample of university students. We invited undergraduate
psychology students from two courses to complete an ‘online’ questionnaire.
Students logged on to a web site, were presented with an information sheet, and
invited to respond. In this paper, we present the reasons why people in this sample
decided to obtain a tattoo and the meanings they ascribe to their modifications. We
will also consider the observations that people make of those who have culturally
inspired tattoos.

year: 2003