title: Successful transition from Early Childhood Education to Innovative Learning Environments: The experience of transition to school from the perspectives of key stakeholders

authors: Wakeman, Christina-Anne

subjects: Education

abstract: The New Zealand education system has gone through a substantial paradigm shift, moving away from single cell classrooms and towards Innovative Learning Environments. This has presented challenges in the transition to school process as the two contexts are very different in terms of both physical space and the underpinning pedagogies.
This thesis presents the findings from a research project that examined the perspectives of learners, their parents/caregivers, primary teachers and early childhood teachers in what they feel to be a successful transition to school from Early Childhood Centres to Innovative Learning Environments. The findings contribute to the development of a transition to school programme.
This research project was a case study, with the data gathered through a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data was collected through the use of questionnaires sent to 10 parents of learners who had recently transitioned into the ILE context. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with three early childhood teachers, four primary teachers and from within three focus groups held with 10 learners. This data was analysed to identify key themes from the perspectives of these participants.
This study indicates that there are many factors that need to be taken into account when transitioning a child from ECE to ILE. These include: Developing a sense of belonging within the ILE context, the role of reciprocal relationships, the transition of the parents/caregivers within the transition to school process, school readiness and cross sector development between ECE and primary. Further, this study is in a position to inform transition to school programmes from Early Childhood Education to Innovative Learning Environments.

text: Successful transition from Early Childhood Education to Innovative Learning Environments: The experience of transition to school from the perspectives of key stakeholders The New Zealand education system has gone through a substantial paradigm shift, moving away from single cell classrooms and towards Innovative Learning Environments. This has presented challenges in the transition to school process as the two contexts are very different in terms of both physical space and the underpinning pedagogies.
This thesis presents the findings from a research project that examined the perspectives of learners, their parents/caregivers, primary teachers and early childhood teachers in what they feel to be a successful transition to school from Early Childhood Centres to Innovative Learning Environments. The findings contribute to the development of a transition to school programme.
This research project was a case study, with the data gathered through a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data was collected through the use of questionnaires sent to 10 parents of learners who had recently transitioned into the ILE context. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with three early childhood teachers, four primary teachers and from within three focus groups held with 10 learners. This data was analysed to identify key themes from the perspectives of these participants.
This study indicates that there are many factors that need to be taken into account when transitioning a child from ECE to ILE. These include: Developing a sense of belonging within the ILE context, the role of reciprocal relationships, the transition of the parents/caregivers within the transition to school process, school readiness and cross sector development between ECE and primary. Further, this study is in a position to inform transition to school programmes from Early Childhood Education to Innovative Learning Environments.

year: 2019

title: Perceptions of the Hamilton New Zealand casino upon local residents

authors: Lockyer, Tim

subjects: casinos

abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to provide an understanding of the influence of a casino on local inhabitants.
Design/methodology/approach – The research reports on the findings of a longitudinal study conducted over a period of eight years which consisted of three identical surveys of local Hamilton residents to determine perceptions regarding having a casino in town. It was felt that the longitudinal approach could bring richness and new dimension to a quantitative research.
Findings – The study found that over the eight-year period there were very few changes in the perceptions of local Hamilton residents, both those who had been to the casino and those who had not been to the casino. It was of particular interest to note the gender difference between males and females regarding positive and negative aspects of the casino.
Research limitations/implications – The study reinforces the differences in perception of local people between those who have and have not visited the casino. This indicates that promotional activities to those who have not visited the casino may be beneficial to the overall community views and thus overall perception of casinos.
Originality/value – The paper provides industry with an understanding of the perceptions of local resident attitudes toward casinos over an extended period of time.

text: Perceptions of the Hamilton New Zealand casino upon local residents Purpose – This paper aims to provide an understanding of the influence of a casino on local inhabitants.
Design/methodology/approach – The research reports on the findings of a longitudinal study conducted over a period of eight years which consisted of three identical surveys of local Hamilton residents to determine perceptions regarding having a casino in town. It was felt that the longitudinal approach could bring richness and new dimension to a quantitative research.
Findings – The study found that over the eight-year period there were very few changes in the perceptions of local Hamilton residents, both those who had been to the casino and those who had not been to the casino. It was of particular interest to note the gender difference between males and females regarding positive and negative aspects of the casino.
Research limitations/implications – The study reinforces the differences in perception of local people between those who have and have not visited the casino. This indicates that promotional activities to those who have not visited the casino may be beneficial to the overall community views and thus overall perception of casinos.
Originality/value – The paper provides industry with an understanding of the perceptions of local resident attitudes toward casinos over an extended period of time.

year: 2012

title: Research and development absorptive capacity: a Māori perspective

authors: Ruckstuhl, Katharina

subjects: computer science

abstract: This paper presents a view of research and development absorptive capacity from a Māori perspective. The assessment is part of a case study of a longitudinal programme – Science for Technological Innovation: Kia kotahi mai – Te Ao Putaiao me te Ao Hanagarau that aims to increase Aotearoa New Zealand’s capacity to use sci-tech for economic benefit. The paper finds that while Aotearoa New Zealand’s macro policy and meso institutional levels have become more responsive to Māori research and development demands, at the micro level of the individual or the firm there are still constraints given the small numbers of Māori in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In response to this, a novel model of Māori sci-tech capacity is under development that considers not only research and development technical capacities, but also the human and relational capacities required to accelerate absorptive capacity to respond to Māori social and economic aspirations.

text: Research and development absorptive capacity: a Māori perspective This paper presents a view of research and development absorptive capacity from a Māori perspective. The assessment is part of a case study of a longitudinal programme – Science for Technological Innovation: Kia kotahi mai – Te Ao Putaiao me te Ao Hanagarau that aims to increase Aotearoa New Zealand’s capacity to use sci-tech for economic benefit. The paper finds that while Aotearoa New Zealand’s macro policy and meso institutional levels have become more responsive to Māori research and development demands, at the micro level of the individual or the firm there are still constraints given the small numbers of Māori in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In response to this, a novel model of Māori sci-tech capacity is under development that considers not only research and development technical capacities, but also the human and relational capacities required to accelerate absorptive capacity to respond to Māori social and economic aspirations.

year: 2019