title: Misconceptions arising from the Infinite Solenoid Magnetic Field Formula

authors: Wilson, Marcus T.

abstract: Many high school and first-year university courses include discussion of the magnetic effect of currents. Frequently discussed textbook examples include long, straight wires, circular current loops, and solenoids, partly because these examples are tractable mathematically. The solenoid naturally leads to discussion on magnetic materials since it is readily demonstrated that a paramagnetic core significantly boosts the strength of an electromagnet. However, magnetic effects of solid and even liquid materials are subtle and confusing¹ and the mathematics is not straightforward. This leads to confusion amongst students (and their teachers), which, when taken to more advanced study, leads to significant misconceptions about the nature of magnetic properties and fields. These misconceptions can become problematic when practical (rather than stereotyped) magnetic design and analysis is required such as for transformers,² magnetic recording materials, geomagnetic sensors,³ or biological stimulators4 to name a few. In this article, I highlight examples of this confusion, in particular the failure in realistic situations of the well-quoted formula for an infinite solenoid with a paramagnetic core, and the physical interpretation of the relative permeability of a material, µr.

text: Misconceptions arising from the Infinite Solenoid Magnetic Field Formula Many high school and first-year university courses include discussion of the magnetic effect of currents. Frequently discussed textbook examples include long, straight wires, circular current loops, and solenoids, partly because these examples are tractable mathematically. The solenoid naturally leads to discussion on magnetic materials since it is readily demonstrated that a paramagnetic core significantly boosts the strength of an electromagnet. However, magnetic effects of solid and even liquid materials are subtle and confusing¹ and the mathematics is not straightforward. This leads to confusion amongst students (and their teachers), which, when taken to more advanced study, leads to significant misconceptions about the nature of magnetic properties and fields. These misconceptions can become problematic when practical (rather than stereotyped) magnetic design and analysis is required such as for transformers,² magnetic recording materials, geomagnetic sensors,³ or biological stimulators4 to name a few. In this article, I highlight examples of this confusion, in particular the failure in realistic situations of the well-quoted formula for an infinite solenoid with a paramagnetic core, and the physical interpretation of the relative permeability of a material, µr.

year: 2021

title: Leadership Activities and Behaviours that Enable Classroom Teachers

authors: Al-Abbas, Abdullah Adlan

subjects: Leadership Behaviours

abstract: Leadership has a well researched and significant influence on the quality of school organisation and student learning. Much of the research has centred on educational leadership theory and the opinions and perspectives of serving principals. In Saudi Arabia there is little research that considers the leadership needs of schools from teacher perspectives. This project investigates the most influential and important leadership behaviours and activities displayed by principals that enable and support classroom teachers. The research is undertaken from the perspective of classroom teachers to ascertain their views regarding these enabling behaviours. It explores ways in which various leadership behaviours could influence the quality of classroom teaching and learning, and support the work of classroom teachers. The report includes a literature review that contributes to building a local literature base for Saudi Arabia, focusing on quality school leadership.

text: Leadership Activities and Behaviours that Enable Classroom Teachers Leadership has a well researched and significant influence on the quality of school organisation and student learning. Much of the research has centred on educational leadership theory and the opinions and perspectives of serving principals. In Saudi Arabia there is little research that considers the leadership needs of schools from teacher perspectives. This project investigates the most influential and important leadership behaviours and activities displayed by principals that enable and support classroom teachers. The research is undertaken from the perspective of classroom teachers to ascertain their views regarding these enabling behaviours. It explores ways in which various leadership behaviours could influence the quality of classroom teaching and learning, and support the work of classroom teachers. The report includes a literature review that contributes to building a local literature base for Saudi Arabia, focusing on quality school leadership.

year: 2010

title: Toi tu te whenua, toi tu te tangata: A holistic Māori approach to flood management in Pawarenga

authors: Proctor, Elizabeth-Mary

subjects: flood management

abstract: This thesis is a study of how tikanga Māori principles could be used in practice in the management of natural hazards and in particular flooding in a rural area, Pawarenga. The aim was to investigate and document Te Uri O Tai Hapū preferred strategies for reducing flood risk in Pawarenga and to consider opportunities to use tikanga Māori principles and values in emergency response. The identification of key concepts and principles of tikanga Māori customs and their connections to whānau and hapū of Te Uri O Tai is key to this study. I used kaupapa Māori research methodologies as a guiding framework since researching in my own community required me to manage accountability both to its members and to the university. In particular it was important to obtain permission from the community before beginning, to ensure my research processes were acceptable, and to return my findings to the community. Qualitative data was gathered from a series of hui and interviews with local community members. Data was analysed inductively and organised into thematic networks. Two major organising themes were identified: resilience and vulnerability. Participants described a broad range of strengths inherent in the community that enabled them to respond to crises such as flood events. A number of cultural, social, physical, economic and political vulnerabilities were also identified; most of these were fundamental aspects of people‘s daily lives and did not prevent them from responding positively when floods occurred, but may have limited the scope of their responses. Tikanga was not a subject that participants felt comfortable talking about, but from the descriptions of how people actually responded during floods I was able to see examples of how tikanga was used. The resilience of the Pawarenga community is taken for granted by residents. When disasters such as floods occur, their resiliencies and strengths are brought into play to ensure the safety of all in the community. Tikanga Māori is an inherent part of this resiliency, and marae structures and protocols already in place provide a vital framework for flood response. I conclude that tikanga already has enormous value in flood response, and for Māori communities is an obvious choice as a foundation for a flood emergency management strategy. Furthermore, the value of tikanga as a flood emergency management strategy should be more explicitly recognised and supported by all authorities involved in disaster response and management. It was also clear that multiple dimensions of vulnerability (physical, cultural, social, economic and political) affect the Pawarenga community, and to some extent limit their capacity to respond. In particular political processes that exclude them from participating in decision-making and planning around environmental management generally have left people feeling marginalised, since they are unable to fulfil their kaitiaki role. With civil defence emergency management policies explicitly focused around resilience, participation of Te Uri O Tai Hapū in planning for emergency management should allow for their existing resilience, which stems from the upholding of tikanga, to be recognised and strengthened. However, this will only happen if relationships with the various authorities involved in emergency and natural hazard response are fostered, full participation in decision-making and in responding to natural hazard events is facilitated, and resources are available to support the community with their endeavours.

text: Toi tu te whenua, toi tu te tangata: A holistic Māori approach to flood management in Pawarenga This thesis is a study of how tikanga Māori principles could be used in practice in the management of natural hazards and in particular flooding in a rural area, Pawarenga. The aim was to investigate and document Te Uri O Tai Hapū preferred strategies for reducing flood risk in Pawarenga and to consider opportunities to use tikanga Māori principles and values in emergency response. The identification of key concepts and principles of tikanga Māori customs and their connections to whānau and hapū of Te Uri O Tai is key to this study. I used kaupapa Māori research methodologies as a guiding framework since researching in my own community required me to manage accountability both to its members and to the university. In particular it was important to obtain permission from the community before beginning, to ensure my research processes were acceptable, and to return my findings to the community. Qualitative data was gathered from a series of hui and interviews with local community members. Data was analysed inductively and organised into thematic networks. Two major organising themes were identified: resilience and vulnerability. Participants described a broad range of strengths inherent in the community that enabled them to respond to crises such as flood events. A number of cultural, social, physical, economic and political vulnerabilities were also identified; most of these were fundamental aspects of people‘s daily lives and did not prevent them from responding positively when floods occurred, but may have limited the scope of their responses. Tikanga was not a subject that participants felt comfortable talking about, but from the descriptions of how people actually responded during floods I was able to see examples of how tikanga was used. The resilience of the Pawarenga community is taken for granted by residents. When disasters such as floods occur, their resiliencies and strengths are brought into play to ensure the safety of all in the community. Tikanga Māori is an inherent part of this resiliency, and marae structures and protocols already in place provide a vital framework for flood response. I conclude that tikanga already has enormous value in flood response, and for Māori communities is an obvious choice as a foundation for a flood emergency management strategy. Furthermore, the value of tikanga as a flood emergency management strategy should be more explicitly recognised and supported by all authorities involved in disaster response and management. It was also clear that multiple dimensions of vulnerability (physical, cultural, social, economic and political) affect the Pawarenga community, and to some extent limit their capacity to respond. In particular political processes that exclude them from participating in decision-making and planning around environmental management generally have left people feeling marginalised, since they are unable to fulfil their kaitiaki role. With civil defence emergency management policies explicitly focused around resilience, participation of Te Uri O Tai Hapū in planning for emergency management should allow for their existing resilience, which stems from the upholding of tikanga, to be recognised and strengthened. However, this will only happen if relationships with the various authorities involved in emergency and natural hazard response are fostered, full participation in decision-making and in responding to natural hazard events is facilitated, and resources are available to support the community with their endeavours.

year: 2010