title: Digital learning objects: A need for educational leadership

authors: Falloon, Garry

subjects: educational technology

abstract: Despite increasing interest in technology-assisted education, technology-based instructional design still lacks support from a reliable body of empirical research. This dearth of reliable information hampers its integration into mainstream school systems. In fact, many teachers remain resistant to using technology in the classroom. In order to overcome teacher resistance to technology in the classroom, we have sought to follow a process described by Friesen to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the educational use of digital learning objects (DLOs) from the teachers' point of view.
This article explores the opportunities and challenges inherent in using digital learning objects and reports on the impact of DLO use at both the classroom and school levels. By providing research that links students' use of DLOs with the development of key competencies, we hope to sharpen teachers' visions of how DLOs can help them achieve their educational goals, and to encourage DLO uptake for educational purposes. Finally, we envision a DLO that can assist school principals in the facilitation of educational leadership and help transform teachers' attitudes toward technology-based teaching.

text: Digital learning objects: A need for educational leadership Despite increasing interest in technology-assisted education, technology-based instructional design still lacks support from a reliable body of empirical research. This dearth of reliable information hampers its integration into mainstream school systems. In fact, many teachers remain resistant to using technology in the classroom. In order to overcome teacher resistance to technology in the classroom, we have sought to follow a process described by Friesen to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the educational use of digital learning objects (DLOs) from the teachers' point of view.
This article explores the opportunities and challenges inherent in using digital learning objects and reports on the impact of DLO use at both the classroom and school levels. By providing research that links students' use of DLOs with the development of key competencies, we hope to sharpen teachers' visions of how DLOs can help them achieve their educational goals, and to encourage DLO uptake for educational purposes. Finally, we envision a DLO that can assist school principals in the facilitation of educational leadership and help transform teachers' attitudes toward technology-based teaching.

year: 2009

title: Morphology and geochemistry of glauconite from the Te Kuiti Group, South Auckland region, New Zealand

authors: Compton, Martyn Stephen

abstract: The late Eocene - Oligocene Te Kuiti Group comprises calcareous mudstone, calcareous sandstone and skeletal or sandy limestone formed in marginal marine to fully marine shelf settings. Glauconite is ubiquitous in all sedimentary units in low concentration (5-10%), but at unconformities or near formation boundaries can attain concentrations > 75%.
Binocular microscope studies show· the following morphological form abundances: ovoidal(40-55%) > fragmentary(20-40%) > lobate(5-15%) > casts (0-5%) with trace quantities of tabular, capsule, and vermicular grains. The abundance of ovoidal and fragmentary glauconite suggests the glauconite is dominantly allogenic. Only the highly fragile cast and lobate grains are considered reliable indicators of authigenic glauconite.
Because distinction of morphological types using the binocular microscope is subjective, an alternative classification based on measured variables using image analysis was attempted. Seven measurements (area, formfactor, convexicity, length, fractal, aspect, and fibre) were made for each grain image. Seven glauconite morphological types were investigated: capsule, cauliflower, fragmentary, lobate, ovoidal, tabular, and vermicular. Measurement data were analysed using canonical variate analysis. The calculated discriminating vectors were then used to distinguish the seven morpological forms. Using two canonical variates 81.5% of the variability within the database was accounted for.
X-ray diffraction studies shows a predominance of poorly crystalline glauconite. Many difficulties were encountered when applying previous literature techniques for calculating the expandable content of glauconite. An alternative technique based on the relationship between %K₂0 and % expandables is favoured for the calculation of % expandables. A relationship between host sediment lithology and glauconite expandable content was found; siltstone = 20-32%. expandables in the glauconite, sandstone = 8-15% expandables in the glauconite.
Major element data were obtained with the electron microprobe for 327 individual glauconite grain centres of 70 samples from 45 sites and 7 formations in the Te Kuiti. Group. The. chemical data were analysed using canonical variate analysis and the seven formations were clearly distinguished. Because only a small glauconite sample size is required (4-5 grains) the technique has potential for determining the stratigraphic correlation of drill core samples and small hand specimens of Te Kuiti Group material containing glauconite.
The range composition of Te Kuiti Group glauconite calculated from EMP major element data using the "Clayform" program is:
(Si ₃.₄₀₋₃.₆₈ Al ₀.₃₂₋₀.₆₀) (Al ₀.₀₈₋₀.₄₁ Fe ₁.₀₀³⁺₋₁.₃₆ Fe ₀.₁₉²⁺₋₀.₂₆ Mg ₀.₄₀₋₀.₆₀) (Ca ₀.₀₂₋₀.₁₆ Na ₀.₀₀₋₀.₀₄ K₀.₄₉₋₀.₆₇) O₁₀(OH₂)
The Te Kuiti Group passes stratigraphically upward from terrigenous and mixed terrigenous-skeletal carbonate deposits to very pure limestones. Early post-depositional diagenetic processes probably released Mg from the carbonate lattice of accumulating skeletal grains. Some of the released Mg was incorporated into the glauconite lattice as evidenced by the increase in Mg content of glauconite stratigraphically upward, parallel with the increased carbonate content of the rocks.
Major and trace element data were obtained using X-ray fluorescence for 29 bulk glauconite concentrates from 21 sites and 5 formations. Notably there were anomalous Mg, Pb and Ni concentrations in glauconite from the Otorohanga - Waitomo -Te Kuiti area. This suggests the area existed as a small semi-enclosed embayment, with a significantly higher terrigenous input compared with adjacent depocentres.
A strong correlation between the La/Ce ratio of glauconite and paleontological and oxygen isotope-derived sea-water temperatures suggests glauconite La/Ce ratio may be a useful paleotemperature indicator. The data collected in this study show no single previously suggested process adequately decribes the development of glauconite. Rather, glauconite should be considered polygenetic.

text: Morphology and geochemistry of glauconite from the Te Kuiti Group, South Auckland region, New Zealand The late Eocene - Oligocene Te Kuiti Group comprises calcareous mudstone, calcareous sandstone and skeletal or sandy limestone formed in marginal marine to fully marine shelf settings. Glauconite is ubiquitous in all sedimentary units in low concentration (5-10%), but at unconformities or near formation boundaries can attain concentrations > 75%.
Binocular microscope studies show· the following morphological form abundances: ovoidal(40-55%) > fragmentary(20-40%) > lobate(5-15%) > casts (0-5%) with trace quantities of tabular, capsule, and vermicular grains. The abundance of ovoidal and fragmentary glauconite suggests the glauconite is dominantly allogenic. Only the highly fragile cast and lobate grains are considered reliable indicators of authigenic glauconite.
Because distinction of morphological types using the binocular microscope is subjective, an alternative classification based on measured variables using image analysis was attempted. Seven measurements (area, formfactor, convexicity, length, fractal, aspect, and fibre) were made for each grain image. Seven glauconite morphological types were investigated: capsule, cauliflower, fragmentary, lobate, ovoidal, tabular, and vermicular. Measurement data were analysed using canonical variate analysis. The calculated discriminating vectors were then used to distinguish the seven morpological forms. Using two canonical variates 81.5% of the variability within the database was accounted for.
X-ray diffraction studies shows a predominance of poorly crystalline glauconite. Many difficulties were encountered when applying previous literature techniques for calculating the expandable content of glauconite. An alternative technique based on the relationship between %K₂0 and % expandables is favoured for the calculation of % expandables. A relationship between host sediment lithology and glauconite expandable content was found; siltstone = 20-32%. expandables in the glauconite, sandstone = 8-15% expandables in the glauconite.
Major element data were obtained with the electron microprobe for 327 individual glauconite grain centres of 70 samples from 45 sites and 7 formations in the Te Kuiti. Group. The. chemical data were analysed using canonical variate analysis and the seven formations were clearly distinguished. Because only a small glauconite sample size is required (4-5 grains) the technique has potential for determining the stratigraphic correlation of drill core samples and small hand specimens of Te Kuiti Group material containing glauconite.
The range composition of Te Kuiti Group glauconite calculated from EMP major element data using the "Clayform" program is:
(Si ₃.₄₀₋₃.₆₈ Al ₀.₃₂₋₀.₆₀) (Al ₀.₀₈₋₀.₄₁ Fe ₁.₀₀³⁺₋₁.₃₆ Fe ₀.₁₉²⁺₋₀.₂₆ Mg ₀.₄₀₋₀.₆₀) (Ca ₀.₀₂₋₀.₁₆ Na ₀.₀₀₋₀.₀₄ K₀.₄₉₋₀.₆₇) O₁₀(OH₂)
The Te Kuiti Group passes stratigraphically upward from terrigenous and mixed terrigenous-skeletal carbonate deposits to very pure limestones. Early post-depositional diagenetic processes probably released Mg from the carbonate lattice of accumulating skeletal grains. Some of the released Mg was incorporated into the glauconite lattice as evidenced by the increase in Mg content of glauconite stratigraphically upward, parallel with the increased carbonate content of the rocks.
Major and trace element data were obtained using X-ray fluorescence for 29 bulk glauconite concentrates from 21 sites and 5 formations. Notably there were anomalous Mg, Pb and Ni concentrations in glauconite from the Otorohanga - Waitomo -Te Kuiti area. This suggests the area existed as a small semi-enclosed embayment, with a significantly higher terrigenous input compared with adjacent depocentres.
A strong correlation between the La/Ce ratio of glauconite and paleontological and oxygen isotope-derived sea-water temperatures suggests glauconite La/Ce ratio may be a useful paleotemperature indicator. The data collected in this study show no single previously suggested process adequately decribes the development of glauconite. Rather, glauconite should be considered polygenetic.

year: 1989

title: Maori & Psychology Research Unit annual report 2009

authors: Rua, Mohi

subjects: Maori and Psychology Research Unit

abstract: Annual report of the Maori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU) 2009. The unit was established in August of 1997. The unit is designed to provide a catalyst and support network for enhancing research concerning the psychological needs, aspirations, and priorities of Maori people. The MPRU is well situated to draw together skilled and experienced interdisciplinary research groups by networking and establishing working relationships with staff and students within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the University, and the wider community.

text: Maori & Psychology Research Unit annual report 2009 Annual report of the Maori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU) 2009. The unit was established in August of 1997. The unit is designed to provide a catalyst and support network for enhancing research concerning the psychological needs, aspirations, and priorities of Maori people. The MPRU is well situated to draw together skilled and experienced interdisciplinary research groups by networking and establishing working relationships with staff and students within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the University, and the wider community.

year: 2010