title: Continuance theory and teacher education

authors: Wright, Noeline

subjects: continuance theory

abstract: Continuance theory is usually related to the regular use of technology in the business/industry area. It attempts to explain why people either continue to use specific technologies in their work, or not. Essentially, it links to the perceived value to individuals‟ ability to work effectively, however that is understood in their workplace. In the profession of education, particularly schools and teacher education, the perceived value of continued use is not about individuals and their work, but about individuals‟ work with groups of students and what happens to learning when these digital technologies are used. Continued use is contingent on their students‟ positive responses to these technologies supporting learning. I examine, in the light of continuance theory, what happens when student teachers in an initial secondary teacher education programme report on including digital technologies on practicum. This includes reporting on the effect students‟ responses have on their subsequent attitudes and practices regarding digital technologies in learning contexts.

text: Continuance theory and teacher education Continuance theory is usually related to the regular use of technology in the business/industry area. It attempts to explain why people either continue to use specific technologies in their work, or not. Essentially, it links to the perceived value to individuals‟ ability to work effectively, however that is understood in their workplace. In the profession of education, particularly schools and teacher education, the perceived value of continued use is not about individuals and their work, but about individuals‟ work with groups of students and what happens to learning when these digital technologies are used. Continued use is contingent on their students‟ positive responses to these technologies supporting learning. I examine, in the light of continuance theory, what happens when student teachers in an initial secondary teacher education programme report on including digital technologies on practicum. This includes reporting on the effect students‟ responses have on their subsequent attitudes and practices regarding digital technologies in learning contexts.

year: 2012

title: Making positive use of the fibrillation of lyocell fibres in composite materials

authors: Graupner, Nina

abstract: The present study investigates the influence of surface fibrillation of lyocell fibres on the adhesion and resulting properties of short fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and polylactide (PLA) composites. Fibrillation was shown to reduce the tensile strength and elongation at break of the fibres, while not affecting Young's modulus. It was demonstrated that fibrillation improved adhesion significantly compared to non-fibrillated (untreated) fibres, and the critical fibre length determined by microbond tests was reduced. Despite the reduced tensile strength of the fibrillated lyocell fibres, the tensile strength of the composites was increased by a factor of 1.15 for PP and 1.62 for PLA compared to composites produced with untreated fibres. The Young's modulus of the composites was increased using fibrillated fibres by a factor of 1.41 for PP and 1.20 for PLA. The impact strength was also improved by using fibrillated fibres by a factor of 1.38 for PP-based and 1.23 for PLA-based composites. Surface fibrillation of lyocell offers interesting application possibilities, particularly for short fibre-reinforced materials, as the higher specific fibre surface reduces the critical fibre length of lyocell, leading to improved stress transfer from the matrix to the fibre. These fibres seem particularly promising to enhance the mechanical properties of short-fibre reinforced composites for 3D printing applications.

text: Making positive use of the fibrillation of lyocell fibres in composite materials The present study investigates the influence of surface fibrillation of lyocell fibres on the adhesion and resulting properties of short fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and polylactide (PLA) composites. Fibrillation was shown to reduce the tensile strength and elongation at break of the fibres, while not affecting Young's modulus. It was demonstrated that fibrillation improved adhesion significantly compared to non-fibrillated (untreated) fibres, and the critical fibre length determined by microbond tests was reduced. Despite the reduced tensile strength of the fibrillated lyocell fibres, the tensile strength of the composites was increased by a factor of 1.15 for PP and 1.62 for PLA compared to composites produced with untreated fibres. The Young's modulus of the composites was increased using fibrillated fibres by a factor of 1.41 for PP and 1.20 for PLA. The impact strength was also improved by using fibrillated fibres by a factor of 1.38 for PP-based and 1.23 for PLA-based composites. Surface fibrillation of lyocell offers interesting application possibilities, particularly for short fibre-reinforced materials, as the higher specific fibre surface reduces the critical fibre length of lyocell, leading to improved stress transfer from the matrix to the fibre. These fibres seem particularly promising to enhance the mechanical properties of short-fibre reinforced composites for 3D printing applications.

year: 2023-07-01

title: Whānau mentoring, Māori youth and crime

authors: Joseph, Robert

abstract: This article will discuss how the whänau was the traditional institution for teaching and nurturing children through (among other things) effective mentoring, and how children were taught tikanga, or the ‘right way’ to think, speak, act and become. Traditional leadership development, whänau dysfunction and whänau renewal are also discussed, followed by my conclusions. This article will not be discussing the place of colonisation, high unemployment, lower education rates and other socio-economic disparities among Mäori that play a part in the causes and perpetuation of Mäori youth and crime. A discussion on the Treaty of Waitangi, indigenous rights, and Mäori development is also omitted although the importance of each of these areas is acknowledged. As the theme of this issue of Childrenz Issues is ‘seeking pathways beyond colonisation’, the focus of this article is on Mäori dealing appropriately with the problems of Mäori youth and crime through effective mentoring within the institution of the whänau.

text: Whānau mentoring, Māori youth and crime This article will discuss how the whänau was the traditional institution for teaching and nurturing children through (among other things) effective mentoring, and how children were taught tikanga, or the ‘right way’ to think, speak, act and become. Traditional leadership development, whänau dysfunction and whänau renewal are also discussed, followed by my conclusions. This article will not be discussing the place of colonisation, high unemployment, lower education rates and other socio-economic disparities among Mäori that play a part in the causes and perpetuation of Mäori youth and crime. A discussion on the Treaty of Waitangi, indigenous rights, and Mäori development is also omitted although the importance of each of these areas is acknowledged. As the theme of this issue of Childrenz Issues is ‘seeking pathways beyond colonisation’, the focus of this article is on Mäori dealing appropriately with the problems of Mäori youth and crime through effective mentoring within the institution of the whänau.

year: 2007-01