title: Students' perceptions of a selected aspect of a computer mediated academic writing program: An activity theory analysis

authors: Brine, John

subjects: activity theory

abstract: The use of activity theory is considered in the evaluation of a web based academic writing course in a New Zealand university. Activity theory is an aspect of sociocultural theory and provides a model for the understanding of goal directed social activity. Like other recent developments in applied linguistics, research and evaluation in second language writing has been influenced by sociocultural theory, because it emphasises the social, rather than the individual, context of writing. The primary purpose in carrying out this study was to illuminate the use of activity theory as a formative evaluation technique for the improvement of large academic writing courses supported through the web conferencing features of a course management system, Web Crossing. Data were in the form of international student responses to prompts made in online diaries on a weekly basis throughout the course. An activity theory orientation guided the design of the prompts and the analysis of the data. Activity analysis allowed the researchers to appreciate the tensions and difficulties for students in managing the group processes that the web mediated instruction afforded or constrained. The study also suggests that the set of guiding questions derived from Jonassen and Rohrer-Murphy (1999) may be useful for future evaluations and research.

text: Students' perceptions of a selected aspect of a computer mediated academic writing program: An activity theory analysis The use of activity theory is considered in the evaluation of a web based academic writing course in a New Zealand university. Activity theory is an aspect of sociocultural theory and provides a model for the understanding of goal directed social activity. Like other recent developments in applied linguistics, research and evaluation in second language writing has been influenced by sociocultural theory, because it emphasises the social, rather than the individual, context of writing. The primary purpose in carrying out this study was to illuminate the use of activity theory as a formative evaluation technique for the improvement of large academic writing courses supported through the web conferencing features of a course management system, Web Crossing. Data were in the form of international student responses to prompts made in online diaries on a weekly basis throughout the course. An activity theory orientation guided the design of the prompts and the analysis of the data. Activity analysis allowed the researchers to appreciate the tensions and difficulties for students in managing the group processes that the web mediated instruction afforded or constrained. The study also suggests that the set of guiding questions derived from Jonassen and Rohrer-Murphy (1999) may be useful for future evaluations and research.

year: 2006

title: Adding omega-3 fatty acids to a protein-based supplement during pre-season training results in reduced muscle soreness and the better maintenance of explosive power in professional Rugby Union players

authors: Black, Katherine Elizabeth

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could reduce muscle soreness and maintain muscle function following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. The aim of this applied field study was to investigate the effectiveness of consuming a protein-based supplement containing 1546 mg of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (551 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 551 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) twice daily (FO) compared to a protein-based placebo (P) on muscle soreness, countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and psychological well-being in 20 professional Rugby Union players during 5 weeks of pre-season training. Players completed a 5-point-Likert soreness scale with 5 indicating “no soreness” and a questionnaire assessing fatigue, sleep, stress and mood each morning of training, plus they performed CMJ tests once or twice per week. Data were analysed using magnitude-based inferential statistics and are presented as percent beneficial/trivial/harmful. On day 35, there was a likely (% beneficial/trivial/harmful: 94/5/1) moderate (0.75, standardized mean difference (SMD)) beneficial effect of FO vs. P on the change in lower body muscle soreness compared with day 0 (FO: −3.8 ± 21.7%; P: −19.4 ± 11.2%). There was a likely (92/7/0) moderate (SMD: 0.60) beneficial effect of FO vs. P on CMJ performance (change from baseline to day 35, FO: +4.6 ± 5.9%; P: −3.4 ± 8.6%). From day 20, a moderate beneficial effect of FO on fatigue was observed. In terms of practical relevance, the moderate beneficial effect of adding fish oil to a protein-based supplement on muscle soreness translated into the better maintenance of explosive power in elite Rugby Union players during pre-season training.

text: Adding omega-3 fatty acids to a protein-based supplement during pre-season training results in reduced muscle soreness and the better maintenance of explosive power in professional Rugby Union players Evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could reduce muscle soreness and maintain muscle function following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. The aim of this applied field study was to investigate the effectiveness of consuming a protein-based supplement containing 1546 mg of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (551 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 551 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) twice daily (FO) compared to a protein-based placebo (P) on muscle soreness, countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and psychological well-being in 20 professional Rugby Union players during 5 weeks of pre-season training. Players completed a 5-point-Likert soreness scale with 5 indicating “no soreness” and a questionnaire assessing fatigue, sleep, stress and mood each morning of training, plus they performed CMJ tests once or twice per week. Data were analysed using magnitude-based inferential statistics and are presented as percent beneficial/trivial/harmful. On day 35, there was a likely (% beneficial/trivial/harmful: 94/5/1) moderate (0.75, standardized mean difference (SMD)) beneficial effect of FO vs. P on the change in lower body muscle soreness compared with day 0 (FO: −3.8 ± 21.7%; P: −19.4 ± 11.2%). There was a likely (92/7/0) moderate (SMD: 0.60) beneficial effect of FO vs. P on CMJ performance (change from baseline to day 35, FO: +4.6 ± 5.9%; P: −3.4 ± 8.6%). From day 20, a moderate beneficial effect of FO on fatigue was observed. In terms of practical relevance, the moderate beneficial effect of adding fish oil to a protein-based supplement on muscle soreness translated into the better maintenance of explosive power in elite Rugby Union players during pre-season training.

year: 2018

title: Ue Waerea

authors: Tuaupiki, Jackie Whetumarama

subjects: Waerea

abstract: Mai i Mōkau ki Tāmaki, Mangatoatoa, Pare-Waikato, Pare-Hauraki, Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere, ko te whakapono, nā Tāwhaki i piki te poutama ki te tāhuhu matapu, ka riro mai i a ia ngā kete o te wānanga. E kīngia ai, ko te pūtake tērā o te mātauranga Māori. Hei tā Wiri (2001), nā te mātauranga Māori, ko te mātauranga Māori ā-waha. Nāna, ko te waiata. Nā te waiata, ko te karakia. Kei raro i te karakia, ko te takere kaupapa tēnei, ko te waerea. Ko te whāinga o tēnei tuhituhinga, he rangahau i ngā pūtake o te waerea me te āta titiro ki ngā kaupapa kei a ia me tōna kawe i roto i aua kaupapa i ngā wā o mua, ā, nō nāianei hoki. Ko te waerea te pane o ngā karakia Māori ki roto o Tainui, otirā, ki roto i ngētehi o ngā whakaritenga, ā, ka tirohia ngēnei whakaritenga e rere ai te waerea, pēnei i te tomo whare, i te tomo urupā, i te takahi whare, i te whakamānu waka me te maha o ngā mahi a te ao Māori ki roto o Tainui.

text: Ue Waerea Mai i Mōkau ki Tāmaki, Mangatoatoa, Pare-Waikato, Pare-Hauraki, Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere, ko te whakapono, nā Tāwhaki i piki te poutama ki te tāhuhu matapu, ka riro mai i a ia ngā kete o te wānanga. E kīngia ai, ko te pūtake tērā o te mātauranga Māori. Hei tā Wiri (2001), nā te mātauranga Māori, ko te mātauranga Māori ā-waha. Nāna, ko te waiata. Nā te waiata, ko te karakia. Kei raro i te karakia, ko te takere kaupapa tēnei, ko te waerea. Ko te whāinga o tēnei tuhituhinga, he rangahau i ngā pūtake o te waerea me te āta titiro ki ngā kaupapa kei a ia me tōna kawe i roto i aua kaupapa i ngā wā o mua, ā, nō nāianei hoki. Ko te waerea te pane o ngā karakia Māori ki roto o Tainui, otirā, ki roto i ngētehi o ngā whakaritenga, ā, ka tirohia ngēnei whakaritenga e rere ai te waerea, pēnei i te tomo whare, i te tomo urupā, i te takahi whare, i te whakamānu waka me te maha o ngā mahi a te ao Māori ki roto o Tainui.

year: 2011-04