title: Activity theory: A framework for analysing intercultural academic activity

authors: Barnard, Roger

subjects: Activity Theory

abstract: This article suggests that Activity Theory (AT) can be applied as a holistic framework to analyse the complex sociocultural issues that arise when academics wish to engage in collaborative activity across institutional and cultural boundaries. Attention will initially focus on how Activity Theory, first formulated in the 1930s by Leont’ev (1978), and subsequently developed into a second generation by Engeström (1987), can help to analyse and illuminate the inherent complexity within any one community of practice. A more elaborate model of AT (Engeström, 2001) is currently being developed and applied to analyse and illuminate collaborative activity across institutional boundaries, so as to transform discourse communities into speech communities of practice through expansive learning. It is suggested that this ‘third generation’ model can be further refined to analyse specific contact zones, within and between activity systems, as a precursor to undertaking collaborative activity. It is suggested that, when discourse communities deriving from different culturally diverse traditions seek to work together, such an a priori analysis would enable potential areas for miscommunication and misconstrual to be identified and possibly resolved before collaborative activity actually commences.

text: Activity theory: A framework for analysing intercultural academic activity This article suggests that Activity Theory (AT) can be applied as a holistic framework to analyse the complex sociocultural issues that arise when academics wish to engage in collaborative activity across institutional and cultural boundaries. Attention will initially focus on how Activity Theory, first formulated in the 1930s by Leont’ev (1978), and subsequently developed into a second generation by Engeström (1987), can help to analyse and illuminate the inherent complexity within any one community of practice. A more elaborate model of AT (Engeström, 2001) is currently being developed and applied to analyse and illuminate collaborative activity across institutional boundaries, so as to transform discourse communities into speech communities of practice through expansive learning. It is suggested that this ‘third generation’ model can be further refined to analyse specific contact zones, within and between activity systems, as a precursor to undertaking collaborative activity. It is suggested that, when discourse communities deriving from different culturally diverse traditions seek to work together, such an a priori analysis would enable potential areas for miscommunication and misconstrual to be identified and possibly resolved before collaborative activity actually commences.

year: 2010

title: The Waikato range imager

authors: Cree, Michael J.

subjects: range imaging

abstract: We are developing a high precision simultaneous full-field acquisition range imager. This device measures range with sub millimetre precision in range simultaneously over a full-field view of the scene. Laser diodes are used to illuminate the scene with amplitude modulation with a frequency of 10MHz up to 100 MHz. The received light is interrupted by a high speed shutter operating in a heterodyne configuration thus producing a low-frequency signal which is sampled with a digital camera. By detecting the phase of the signal at each pixel the range to the scene is determined. We show 3D reconstructions of some viewed objects to demonstrate the capabilities of the ranger.

text: The Waikato range imager We are developing a high precision simultaneous full-field acquisition range imager. This device measures range with sub millimetre precision in range simultaneously over a full-field view of the scene. Laser diodes are used to illuminate the scene with amplitude modulation with a frequency of 10MHz up to 100 MHz. The received light is interrupted by a high speed shutter operating in a heterodyne configuration thus producing a low-frequency signal which is sampled with a digital camera. By detecting the phase of the signal at each pixel the range to the scene is determined. We show 3D reconstructions of some viewed objects to demonstrate the capabilities of the ranger.

year: 2006

title: National Maori and Pacific psychologies symposium: Claiming spaces

authors: Levy, Michelle Patricia

subjects: Maori

abstract: In 2002 the Maori and Psychology Research Unit made a valuable contribution to the  teaching and practice of psychology in Aotearoa via the two day Maori Graduates of Psychology Symposium: Making a Difference. Mid-way through 2006, our collective memories of the hard work in 2002  diminished, so much so that we once again considered hosting a similar event. Building on the foundations laid in 2002, the theme of the 2007 symposium was "Claiming Spaces", with our focus expanding to include peoples of the Pacific. This theme reflected that the time had come for Maori and Pacific Psychologies to move from the margins and claim legitimate space within psychology. It recognized that here in Aotearoa we have the potential to be pioneers in the development of psychologies relevant and applicable to Maori and Pacific peoples, and to better understand what science, culture and practice means when indigenous and cultural world views are prioritised. It was an inclusive theme, with the programme comprising presentations led by Maori and Pacific psychologists, graduates of psychology and psychology students. These presentations reflected on and made connections to the theme of "Claiming Spaces".

text: National Maori and Pacific psychologies symposium: Claiming spaces In 2002 the Maori and Psychology Research Unit made a valuable contribution to the  teaching and practice of psychology in Aotearoa via the two day Maori Graduates of Psychology Symposium: Making a Difference. Mid-way through 2006, our collective memories of the hard work in 2002  diminished, so much so that we once again considered hosting a similar event. Building on the foundations laid in 2002, the theme of the 2007 symposium was "Claiming Spaces", with our focus expanding to include peoples of the Pacific. This theme reflected that the time had come for Maori and Pacific Psychologies to move from the margins and claim legitimate space within psychology. It recognized that here in Aotearoa we have the potential to be pioneers in the development of psychologies relevant and applicable to Maori and Pacific peoples, and to better understand what science, culture and practice means when indigenous and cultural world views are prioritised. It was an inclusive theme, with the programme comprising presentations led by Maori and Pacific psychologists, graduates of psychology and psychology students. These presentations reflected on and made connections to the theme of "Claiming Spaces".

year: 2008