title: Inflated proficiency self-assessment and its potential impact on language teaching: A Taiwan-based study involving teachers of English in elementary school settings

authors: Wang, Wei Pei

subjects: Taiwan

abstract: The article presents a study conducted on Taiwanese elementary school teachers teaching English language. As mentioned, teachers have less proficiency than their counterparts in Europe and even in Japan, they believe they are much more proficient than they actually are. The study concluded that the approach to use the target language at all times might lead to some negative consequences rather than the positive ones.

text: Inflated proficiency self-assessment and its potential impact on language teaching: A Taiwan-based study involving teachers of English in elementary school settings The article presents a study conducted on Taiwanese elementary school teachers teaching English language. As mentioned, teachers have less proficiency than their counterparts in Europe and even in Japan, they believe they are much more proficient than they actually are. The study concluded that the approach to use the target language at all times might lead to some negative consequences rather than the positive ones.

year: 2010-09

title: Drying curves and apparent diffusivity of New Zealand chestnut variety ‘1015’

authors: Biju Cletus, Anila

subjects: chestnuts

abstract: New Zealand chestnuts grow relatively large by comparison with Asian or American varieties and have the potential to be a lucrative crop. However they are susceptible to fungal rots and need to be dried at relatively low temperatures in order to prevent significant spoilage. Drying curves for New Zealand chestnut variety ‘1015’ were obtained at 30 °C, which was the maximum drying temperature that did not cause significant quality degradation. Two distinct falling-rate drying periods were observed: an initial period during which a relatively high drying rate decreased rapidly, followed by a period of lower drying rates which decreased only gradually. The first period most likely corresponded to the time required for the surface region to reach moisture equilibrium, since it was clearly affected by external factors such as air movement and the absence or presence of moisture barrier(s). The second period represented the diffusion-controlled process, and was largely unaffected by external factors. The mean apparent diffusivity of whole chestnuts at 30 °C was 5.1 × 10⁻¹¹ m² s⁻¹.

text: Drying curves and apparent diffusivity of New Zealand chestnut variety ‘1015’ New Zealand chestnuts grow relatively large by comparison with Asian or American varieties and have the potential to be a lucrative crop. However they are susceptible to fungal rots and need to be dried at relatively low temperatures in order to prevent significant spoilage. Drying curves for New Zealand chestnut variety ‘1015’ were obtained at 30 °C, which was the maximum drying temperature that did not cause significant quality degradation. Two distinct falling-rate drying periods were observed: an initial period during which a relatively high drying rate decreased rapidly, followed by a period of lower drying rates which decreased only gradually. The first period most likely corresponded to the time required for the surface region to reach moisture equilibrium, since it was clearly affected by external factors such as air movement and the absence or presence of moisture barrier(s). The second period represented the diffusion-controlled process, and was largely unaffected by external factors. The mean apparent diffusivity of whole chestnuts at 30 °C was 5.1 × 10⁻¹¹ m² s⁻¹.

year: 2008

title: Maori sustainable development in the 21st Century: The importance of Maori values, strategic planning and information systems

authors: Harmsworth, Garth

subjects: Development studies

abstract: The term ‘sustainable development’ has been widely used since the latter part of the 20th century. The concept implies economic and social development, economic growth, and environmental responsibility in order to sustain improved standards of living based on economic growth, to achieve some form of social equity, and to manage the environment in a sustainable way. Sustainable development should generally be at a rate that allows future generations to meet their needs without causing degradation of the natural environment, and should avoid economic or social decay. The concept has been debated and criticised by many as being ambiguous, untenable, and difficult to achieve, and frequently labelled part of global capitalism. But the concept provides a challenge to all of us, on how to balance economic, social, and cultural goals, while at the same time safeguarding and responsibly managing the environment for future generations. Attempts by indigenous peoples internationally to achieve sustainable development have been based on holistic approaches and frameworks that seek to balance economic, social, cultural and environmental objectives, and these provide effective models for viable sustainable development approaches. Māori Sustainable Development in Aotearoa-New Zealand is a term often used to describe a pathway to Māori autonomy, self-determination, the building of human and social capacity, as part of a strategic direction to capitalise on opportunities in the 21st century. This paper outlines research undertaken between 1998 and 2002 and funded by the Foundation for Research, Science, and Technology (FRST) in the programme “Māori Sustainable Development in Te Puku o Te Ika”, contract UOWX0005, simply referred to as the MSD programme. It focuses on the importance of determining Māori values, a vision, strategic planning and development of information systems as a holistic framework and process method to achieve Māori sustainable development.

text: Maori sustainable development in the 21st Century: The importance of Maori values, strategic planning and information systems The term ‘sustainable development’ has been widely used since the latter part of the 20th century. The concept implies economic and social development, economic growth, and environmental responsibility in order to sustain improved standards of living based on economic growth, to achieve some form of social equity, and to manage the environment in a sustainable way. Sustainable development should generally be at a rate that allows future generations to meet their needs without causing degradation of the natural environment, and should avoid economic or social decay. The concept has been debated and criticised by many as being ambiguous, untenable, and difficult to achieve, and frequently labelled part of global capitalism. But the concept provides a challenge to all of us, on how to balance economic, social, and cultural goals, while at the same time safeguarding and responsibly managing the environment for future generations. Attempts by indigenous peoples internationally to achieve sustainable development have been based on holistic approaches and frameworks that seek to balance economic, social, cultural and environmental objectives, and these provide effective models for viable sustainable development approaches. Māori Sustainable Development in Aotearoa-New Zealand is a term often used to describe a pathway to Māori autonomy, self-determination, the building of human and social capacity, as part of a strategic direction to capitalise on opportunities in the 21st century. This paper outlines research undertaken between 1998 and 2002 and funded by the Foundation for Research, Science, and Technology (FRST) in the programme “Māori Sustainable Development in Te Puku o Te Ika”, contract UOWX0005, simply referred to as the MSD programme. It focuses on the importance of determining Māori values, a vision, strategic planning and development of information systems as a holistic framework and process method to achieve Māori sustainable development.

year: 2002