title: Students’ perceptions towards technology (PATT): A professional development tool for technology teachers.

authors: Chikasanda, Vanwyk Khobidi Mbubzi

subjects: PATT

abstract: In the context of the design and implementation of professional development for technology teachers, a PATT instrument was administered to students in an attempt to develop an understanding of their dispositions toward technology, and so inform, through professional development, technology teachersʼ implementation of technology in Malawi.
The PATT questionnaire was completed by 358 form 3 (year 11) students (191 males and 167 females) from three secondary schools who gave informed consent. The questionnaire was categorised into three parts: the attributes of the students, an attitudinal scale and a concept scale. All data were analysed using SPSS and only descriptive statistics were used during discussions with teachers in each of the schools.
Using the PATT survey results during the professional development program helped the teachers to recognise technology as a very broad learning area as shown by a cross range of concepts covered in the PATT instrument. It also helped the teachers to understand studentsʼ views about technology and the need to develop appropriate technology programmes and pedagogy for both boys and girls to reinforce their confidence. The teachers all considered discussing PATT results as insightful since the studentsʼ views highlighted the need for developing learning materials, tools and pedagogical approaches that take into consideration the studentsʼ own world and knowledge of technology.

text: Students’ perceptions towards technology (PATT): A professional development tool for technology teachers. In the context of the design and implementation of professional development for technology teachers, a PATT instrument was administered to students in an attempt to develop an understanding of their dispositions toward technology, and so inform, through professional development, technology teachersʼ implementation of technology in Malawi.
The PATT questionnaire was completed by 358 form 3 (year 11) students (191 males and 167 females) from three secondary schools who gave informed consent. The questionnaire was categorised into three parts: the attributes of the students, an attitudinal scale and a concept scale. All data were analysed using SPSS and only descriptive statistics were used during discussions with teachers in each of the schools.
Using the PATT survey results during the professional development program helped the teachers to recognise technology as a very broad learning area as shown by a cross range of concepts covered in the PATT instrument. It also helped the teachers to understand studentsʼ views about technology and the need to develop appropriate technology programmes and pedagogy for both boys and girls to reinforce their confidence. The teachers all considered discussing PATT results as insightful since the studentsʼ views highlighted the need for developing learning materials, tools and pedagogical approaches that take into consideration the studentsʼ own world and knowledge of technology.

year: 2011

title: Farmland Acquisition and Household Livelihoods in Hanoi's Peri-Urban Areas

authors: Tran, Quang Tuyen

subjects: Farmland acquisition, household livelihoods, Hanoi's peri-urban areas

abstract: While farmland loss (due to urbanisation and industrialisation) causes job losses for a huge number of farmers and threatens food security, it can bring about a wide range of new job opportunities for local people through which they can change their livelihoods and improve their welfare. The literature in Vietnam and some other countries reveals that although there has been much discussion about the mixed impacts of farmland loss on rural household livelihoods, none of these impacts has been quantified thus far. This thesis is the first study to use econometric methods for quantifying the various impacts of farmland loss on households' livelihood strategies and outcomes.
Using survey data from 477 randomly sampled households in 6 communes in a peri-urban district of Hanoi, several regression models were used to examine how and to what extent farmland loss has affected rural household livelihoods in Vietnam. Specifically, three key relationships were considered and tested: (i) the relationship between farmland loss and household livelihood strategies; (ii) the relationship between farmland loss and household livelihood outcomes (income and consumption expenditure); and (iii) the relationship between farmland loss and household income shares by source.
It was found that farmland loss has a positive impact on the choice of non-farm work-based strategies, notably the informal wage work-based strategy. Given the impact of farmland loss, households' income shares actually diversified into non-farm sources, especially informal wage income. Interestingly, the results indicate that farmland loss, coupled with compensation, has no negative impact on livelihood outcomes (neither income nor consumption expenditure per capita). Possibly this can be explained by the fact that a number of households used part of their compensation money for smoothing consumption. In addition, income earned from jobs outside of farming might compensate for or even exceed the loss of farm income due to the loss of farmland. This suggests that farmland loss can have an indirect positive effect on livelihood outcomes (through its positive effect on non-farm participation). 
This thesis makes several key contributions. Firstly, with a combination of an adapted analytical framework and appropriate econometric models, this study provides a proper approach for studies of the relationship between farmland loss and rural household livelihoods. Secondly, it provides the first econometric evidence for the links between farmland loss and household livelihood strategies and outcomes. Finally, based on the empirical results, this study proposes valuable policy recommendations for mitigating negative impacts of farmland loss on rural households and helping them achieve better livelihood outcomes.

text: Farmland Acquisition and Household Livelihoods in Hanoi's Peri-Urban Areas While farmland loss (due to urbanisation and industrialisation) causes job losses for a huge number of farmers and threatens food security, it can bring about a wide range of new job opportunities for local people through which they can change their livelihoods and improve their welfare. The literature in Vietnam and some other countries reveals that although there has been much discussion about the mixed impacts of farmland loss on rural household livelihoods, none of these impacts has been quantified thus far. This thesis is the first study to use econometric methods for quantifying the various impacts of farmland loss on households' livelihood strategies and outcomes.
Using survey data from 477 randomly sampled households in 6 communes in a peri-urban district of Hanoi, several regression models were used to examine how and to what extent farmland loss has affected rural household livelihoods in Vietnam. Specifically, three key relationships were considered and tested: (i) the relationship between farmland loss and household livelihood strategies; (ii) the relationship between farmland loss and household livelihood outcomes (income and consumption expenditure); and (iii) the relationship between farmland loss and household income shares by source.
It was found that farmland loss has a positive impact on the choice of non-farm work-based strategies, notably the informal wage work-based strategy. Given the impact of farmland loss, households' income shares actually diversified into non-farm sources, especially informal wage income. Interestingly, the results indicate that farmland loss, coupled with compensation, has no negative impact on livelihood outcomes (neither income nor consumption expenditure per capita). Possibly this can be explained by the fact that a number of households used part of their compensation money for smoothing consumption. In addition, income earned from jobs outside of farming might compensate for or even exceed the loss of farm income due to the loss of farmland. This suggests that farmland loss can have an indirect positive effect on livelihood outcomes (through its positive effect on non-farm participation). 
This thesis makes several key contributions. Firstly, with a combination of an adapted analytical framework and appropriate econometric models, this study provides a proper approach for studies of the relationship between farmland loss and rural household livelihoods. Secondly, it provides the first econometric evidence for the links between farmland loss and household livelihood strategies and outcomes. Finally, based on the empirical results, this study proposes valuable policy recommendations for mitigating negative impacts of farmland loss on rural households and helping them achieve better livelihood outcomes.

year: 2013

title: Whakaoranga taiao, whakaoranga tangata: The restorative, healing, and decolonising potential of environmental restoration

authors: Moore, Robert

abstract: This thesis explores the ways in which Māori who are involved in environmental restoration are able to use their experiences to reconnect with Te Ao Māori. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three Māori who have been involved in environmental restoration in and around Kirikiriroa. These research participants were also able to speak to what they have observed in other restoration projects at their respective marae and comment broadly about this work as it is taking place across Aotearoa. It became clear through this research that the impacts of history and colonisation are still felt heavily by Māori in the environmental space today. For Māori involved in environmental restoration, this is a place where they are able to learn and share knowledge and reconnect with their Māoritanga. Environmental restoration can help restore wairua relationships with the whenua and strengthen Maori wellbeing through strengthening relationships with the whenua. Engaging in environmental restoration supports decolonisation as, for the aforementioned outcomes of doing so, being in these spaces supports the affirmation of an Indigenous identity.

text: Whakaoranga taiao, whakaoranga tangata: The restorative, healing, and decolonising potential of environmental restoration This thesis explores the ways in which Māori who are involved in environmental restoration are able to use their experiences to reconnect with Te Ao Māori. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three Māori who have been involved in environmental restoration in and around Kirikiriroa. These research participants were also able to speak to what they have observed in other restoration projects at their respective marae and comment broadly about this work as it is taking place across Aotearoa. It became clear through this research that the impacts of history and colonisation are still felt heavily by Māori in the environmental space today. For Māori involved in environmental restoration, this is a place where they are able to learn and share knowledge and reconnect with their Māoritanga. Environmental restoration can help restore wairua relationships with the whenua and strengthen Maori wellbeing through strengthening relationships with the whenua. Engaging in environmental restoration supports decolonisation as, for the aforementioned outcomes of doing so, being in these spaces supports the affirmation of an Indigenous identity.

year: 2022