title: Breaking down barriers in building teacher competence

authors: Bruce Ferguson, Pip

subjects: action research

abstract: Teachers may well be made, not born, and appointments to academic positions are often made without regard to the appointee’s prior experience or competence in teaching. In most New Zealand universities, compulsory teaching development is not required. Furthermore, enrolment in opportunities to help teachers to develop further, frequently do not attract high numbers. How can those of us who work in staff development work effectively with resistant staff? How can we ensure that what we offer has optimal value in diverse areas? This paper reflects on an action research process currently under way in a New Zealand university, which seeks to investigate the usefulness of current and new staff development initiatives and to maximise benefits to staff. The work was presented at the recent ALARA conference and reflections from this presentation are interspersed with accounts of the work. I have used italics to highlight the ‘process’ parts of the work as it was presented at ALARA.

text: Breaking down barriers in building teacher competence Teachers may well be made, not born, and appointments to academic positions are often made without regard to the appointee’s prior experience or competence in teaching. In most New Zealand universities, compulsory teaching development is not required. Furthermore, enrolment in opportunities to help teachers to develop further, frequently do not attract high numbers. How can those of us who work in staff development work effectively with resistant staff? How can we ensure that what we offer has optimal value in diverse areas? This paper reflects on an action research process currently under way in a New Zealand university, which seeks to investigate the usefulness of current and new staff development initiatives and to maximise benefits to staff. The work was presented at the recent ALARA conference and reflections from this presentation are interspersed with accounts of the work. I have used italics to highlight the ‘process’ parts of the work as it was presented at ALARA.

year: 2012

title: Assessment of Standing Herbage Dry Matter Using A Range Imaging Sytem

authors: Benseman, Mark

subjects: Herbage

abstract: It has been known for a long time that a device that could quickly and accurately ascertain dry matter content would be very useful to pastoral farmers. Despite many years of various products being developed there is still a lack of consistent and accurate measurements available. We present a proof of concept using a time of flight  imaging system to measure standing herbage dry matter. Scenes of herbage were captured using the SoftKinitec DS325 range imaging camera. Each scene included range and intensity images as well as colour images. Simple statistical analysis of the images was carried out and related to dry matter content. Twenty data points were gathered in late autumn growing conditions. The best correlation achieved was 0.9 with a standard deviation of 337 kgDM/ha. This was achieved used a multivariate linear regression. The predictors used were average depth, and standard deviations of both depth and intensity frames. The worst correlation achieved using a multivariate linear regression was 0.89 with a standard deviation of 365 kgDM/ha.  Thirteen data points were also gathered during severe drought conditions. The same statistical analysis resulted in a best fit of 0.52 and a standard deviation of 533 kgDM/ha. Range cameras show promise when compared to currently available methods of dry matter measurement.

text: Assessment of Standing Herbage Dry Matter Using A Range Imaging Sytem It has been known for a long time that a device that could quickly and accurately ascertain dry matter content would be very useful to pastoral farmers. Despite many years of various products being developed there is still a lack of consistent and accurate measurements available. We present a proof of concept using a time of flight  imaging system to measure standing herbage dry matter. Scenes of herbage were captured using the SoftKinitec DS325 range imaging camera. Each scene included range and intensity images as well as colour images. Simple statistical analysis of the images was carried out and related to dry matter content. Twenty data points were gathered in late autumn growing conditions. The best correlation achieved was 0.9 with a standard deviation of 337 kgDM/ha. This was achieved used a multivariate linear regression. The predictors used were average depth, and standard deviations of both depth and intensity frames. The worst correlation achieved using a multivariate linear regression was 0.89 with a standard deviation of 365 kgDM/ha.  Thirteen data points were also gathered during severe drought conditions. The same statistical analysis resulted in a best fit of 0.52 and a standard deviation of 533 kgDM/ha. Range cameras show promise when compared to currently available methods of dry matter measurement.

year: 2013

title: Ngā kanohi hou – identifying and exploring the issues: Experiences of an intern

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

subjects: Maori

abstract: The current paper reflects upon the discovery of an intern from the post graduate diploma in community psychology programme (PGDipPsych (Com). The PGDipPsych (Com) is currently facilitated through the University of Waikato School of Arts and Social Sciences, Psychology Department. This journey of discovery is presented from the perspective of a Māori student who is employed in a mainstream public health organisation. The perspective of a person who is new to the workforce, and the “real world,” who views the surrounding environment with a pair of fresh eyes.

This paper highlights the importance of the internship period as it supports the student who moves from a structured environment with a strong emphasis on theory, towards a competitive, semi structured environment that is driven by deadlines, budgets and contracts.

Factors identified are the demands of Māori communities on Māori health researchers, supportive versus competitive environments, the benefits and drawbacks of being based in a mainstream health organisation, and the future direction of Māori health research. It is hoped that the current paper will encourage further discussion about the future direction of a diploma programme such as the PGDipPsychCom for Māori graduates of a New Zealand tertiary institution.

text: Ngā kanohi hou – identifying and exploring the issues: Experiences of an intern The current paper reflects upon the discovery of an intern from the post graduate diploma in community psychology programme (PGDipPsych (Com). The PGDipPsych (Com) is currently facilitated through the University of Waikato School of Arts and Social Sciences, Psychology Department. This journey of discovery is presented from the perspective of a Māori student who is employed in a mainstream public health organisation. The perspective of a person who is new to the workforce, and the “real world,” who views the surrounding environment with a pair of fresh eyes.

This paper highlights the importance of the internship period as it supports the student who moves from a structured environment with a strong emphasis on theory, towards a competitive, semi structured environment that is driven by deadlines, budgets and contracts.

Factors identified are the demands of Māori communities on Māori health researchers, supportive versus competitive environments, the benefits and drawbacks of being based in a mainstream health organisation, and the future direction of Māori health research. It is hoped that the current paper will encourage further discussion about the future direction of a diploma programme such as the PGDipPsychCom for Māori graduates of a New Zealand tertiary institution.

year: 1999