title: Fa’afatāmanu talafeagai mo lesona fa’asaienisi: O le tu’ualalo mo a’oga a faia’oga saienisi fa’aōliōli. A culturally appropriate formative assessment in science lessons: Implications for initial science teacher education.

authors: Lee-Hang, Desmond Mene

subjects: culturally appropriate

abstract: This study set out to find the views of Samoan teachers on formative assessment and to document any cultural aspects of the fa’aSamoa (or Samoan culture) that could hinder the use of formative assessment in science classrooms. In addition, the research was also an opportunity for professional development of teachers on doing formative assessment. The culturally constructed le-tautala or pupil silence in the classrooms that was mentioned by teachers seemed to hinder formative interactions in classrooms. Written worksheets from this study seemed to be culturally appropriate for doing formative assessment because it provided a way to overcome le-tautala, since the worksheets solicited responses from all pupils. At the same time these written formative assessment worksheets have the potential to enhance Samoan pupils learning of science concepts because of the opportunity provided for feedback and feedforward.

text: Fa’afatāmanu talafeagai mo lesona fa’asaienisi: O le tu’ualalo mo a’oga a faia’oga saienisi fa’aōliōli. A culturally appropriate formative assessment in science lessons: Implications for initial science teacher education. This study set out to find the views of Samoan teachers on formative assessment and to document any cultural aspects of the fa’aSamoa (or Samoan culture) that could hinder the use of formative assessment in science classrooms. In addition, the research was also an opportunity for professional development of teachers on doing formative assessment. The culturally constructed le-tautala or pupil silence in the classrooms that was mentioned by teachers seemed to hinder formative interactions in classrooms. Written worksheets from this study seemed to be culturally appropriate for doing formative assessment because it provided a way to overcome le-tautala, since the worksheets solicited responses from all pupils. At the same time these written formative assessment worksheets have the potential to enhance Samoan pupils learning of science concepts because of the opportunity provided for feedback and feedforward.

year: 2011

title: Depression in autobiographical sports writing: A backstage pass into the dark locker room

authors: Shepherd, Caleb

subjects: Depression

abstract: Autobiographical sports writing (ASW) enables authors to provide the general public an insight into their world as an elite athlete. Access to the lives of these athletes is otherwise left to sports media and journalism, which can often skew material for the right headline. This autobiographical insight also allows athletes the opportunity to discuss their battles with depression and mental health without the scrutiny of media and without the risks of giving their competitors an edge. It is important for all autobiographical writers to establish a connection with the reader and recognise that by entering into the field of ASW they are also entering into an unwritten contract that implies their story is truthful. This requires a level of vulnerability and bravery from the writer, particularly with a topic such as depression. The resulting ASW grants the audience a backstage pass into their often dark and confronting ‘locker rooms’. 

This thesis will examine and critically analyse three primary texts from this field: Graeme Obree’s Flying Scotsman, Andre Agassi’s Open and Amanda Beard’s In The Water They Can’t See You Cry. I will undertake a literature-focused consideration of the methods each author uses to craft their narrative. These texts represent individual stories which are unique and set them apart from the vast majority of sports writing. Each author uses specific literary techniques to craft their narratives; which include a combination of first-person narration, present tense, outward expression of internal voice and careful selection of opening scenes. 

This is a creative practice thesis and the critical analysis will be followed by an extract from my own memoir in the same field, The Other Games. The creative component is thematically linked to the critical analysis, examining my personal life as an Olympic rowing coxswain and detailing some of my periodic battles with depression. This section will also incorporate and display some of the literary techniques that bring my chosen texts to life, in particular a carefully selected opening scene and an outward expression of internal voice through italics.

text: Depression in autobiographical sports writing: A backstage pass into the dark locker room Autobiographical sports writing (ASW) enables authors to provide the general public an insight into their world as an elite athlete. Access to the lives of these athletes is otherwise left to sports media and journalism, which can often skew material for the right headline. This autobiographical insight also allows athletes the opportunity to discuss their battles with depression and mental health without the scrutiny of media and without the risks of giving their competitors an edge. It is important for all autobiographical writers to establish a connection with the reader and recognise that by entering into the field of ASW they are also entering into an unwritten contract that implies their story is truthful. This requires a level of vulnerability and bravery from the writer, particularly with a topic such as depression. The resulting ASW grants the audience a backstage pass into their often dark and confronting ‘locker rooms’. 

This thesis will examine and critically analyse three primary texts from this field: Graeme Obree’s Flying Scotsman, Andre Agassi’s Open and Amanda Beard’s In The Water They Can’t See You Cry. I will undertake a literature-focused consideration of the methods each author uses to craft their narrative. These texts represent individual stories which are unique and set them apart from the vast majority of sports writing. Each author uses specific literary techniques to craft their narratives; which include a combination of first-person narration, present tense, outward expression of internal voice and careful selection of opening scenes. 

This is a creative practice thesis and the critical analysis will be followed by an extract from my own memoir in the same field, The Other Games. The creative component is thematically linked to the critical analysis, examining my personal life as an Olympic rowing coxswain and detailing some of my periodic battles with depression. This section will also incorporate and display some of the literary techniques that bring my chosen texts to life, in particular a carefully selected opening scene and an outward expression of internal voice through italics.

year: 2020

title: The Impact of Colonisation on the Maori community: An exploration of the attitudes and perspectives held by Maori in relation to the active reclamation of Maori sovereignty/tino rangatiratanga.

authors: Baty, Tina Amy

subjects: Maori

abstract: Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei
Seek the treasure you value most dearly: If you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain
The purpose of my research was twofold. I first sort to explore the attitudes and perspectives held by Māori in relation to the active reclamation of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga. I further wanted to know how Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga could lead to the improvement of Māori health.
My research collected information pertinent to these two inquiries from current literature and from interviews I conducted with five Māori individuals from different iwi, hapu groups. All whom were actively engaged with the Māori community in some form. My research data found that colonisalism has and continues to negatively impact the Māori community. This negative impact manifests in a variety of behaviours that effect Māori health and leads to poor outcomes for Māori. Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga was thought of as the solution to overcome and neutralise the negative effects of colonialism experienced by Māori. Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga was found to be related with Māori idenity and instrumental in all things pertinent to the Māori communities.
My research found that Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga can be identified as existing on a philosophical level, governance-structural level, and on a day-to-day basis. This research found that the reclamation of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga is a process that is currently in motion. Finally, the exercising of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga in relation to Māori health provides a well-established argument that it can produce positive health benefits to the Māori community, because it is responsive to Māori and better meets the needs of our Māori community simply because it is a Māori way of being, doing and knowing.

text: The Impact of Colonisation on the Maori community: An exploration of the attitudes and perspectives held by Maori in relation to the active reclamation of Maori sovereignty/tino rangatiratanga. Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei
Seek the treasure you value most dearly: If you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain
The purpose of my research was twofold. I first sort to explore the attitudes and perspectives held by Māori in relation to the active reclamation of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga. I further wanted to know how Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga could lead to the improvement of Māori health.
My research collected information pertinent to these two inquiries from current literature and from interviews I conducted with five Māori individuals from different iwi, hapu groups. All whom were actively engaged with the Māori community in some form. My research data found that colonisalism has and continues to negatively impact the Māori community. This negative impact manifests in a variety of behaviours that effect Māori health and leads to poor outcomes for Māori. Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga was thought of as the solution to overcome and neutralise the negative effects of colonialism experienced by Māori. Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga was found to be related with Māori idenity and instrumental in all things pertinent to the Māori communities.
My research found that Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga can be identified as existing on a philosophical level, governance-structural level, and on a day-to-day basis. This research found that the reclamation of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga is a process that is currently in motion. Finally, the exercising of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga in relation to Māori health provides a well-established argument that it can produce positive health benefits to the Māori community, because it is responsive to Māori and better meets the needs of our Māori community simply because it is a Māori way of being, doing and knowing.

year: 2018