Description:
This article describes Indigenous Australian languages as having a history of pejoration dating from colonial times, which has masked the richness and complexity of mother tongues (and more recently developed kriols) of large numbers of Indigenous Australians.The paper rejects deficit theory representations of these languages as being inferior to imported dialects of English and explains how language issues embedded in teaching practices have served to restrict Indigenous Australian access to cultural capital most valued in modern socio-economic systems.We go on to describe ways in which alternative perspectives where acknowledgment of rich,complex and challenging features of Indigenous Australian languages may be used by educators as empowering resources for teacher education and teaching in schools. Our paper stresses the urgency of establishing frameworks for language success within which to develop other successful learning outcomes of Indigenous Australians.
Description:
This article describes Indigenous Australian languages as having a history of pejoration dating from colonial times, which has masked the richness and complexity of mother tongues (and more recently developed kriols) of large numbers of Indigenous Australians.The paper rejects deficit theory representations of these languages as being inferior to imported dialects of English and explains how language issues embedded in teaching practices have served to restrict Indigenous Australian access to cultural capital most valued in modern socio-economic systems.We go on to describe ways in which alternative perspectives where acknowledgment of rich,complex and challenging features of Indigenous Australian languages may be used by educators as empowering resources for teacher education and teaching in schools. Our paper stresses the urgency of establishing frameworks for language success within which to develop other successful learning outcomes of Indigenous Australians.
Description:
This paper focuses on the registration of supervisors as a crucial element in constructs and practices of postgraduate studies in Australian universities. It examines two processes in a number of Australian universities postgraduate divisions' practices in compilation of postgraduate supervisor registers-how people get onto the register, and how people get off it. It takes issue with the reliance on custom and tradition as a dominant practice of registration and/or deregistration for supervision of postgraduate research studies. It suggests a model of supervisor registration and deregistration as intentional and systematic intervention, based on literature deriving from research in postgraduate supervision which acknowledges the problematic natures of relationships between teaching, learning and knowledge production. In doing so, it examines issues of discursive practice and the problematic nature of power differentials in supervisor/supervisee relationships and the possibilities presented by both registration and deregistration for such relationships.
Description:
This paper focuses on the registration of supervisors as a crucial element in constructs and practices of postgraduate studies in Australian universities. It examines two processes in a number of Australian universities postgraduate divisions' practices in compilation of postgraduate supervisor registers-how people get onto the register, and how people get off it. It takes issue with the reliance on custom and tradition as a dominant practice of registration and/or deregistration for supervision of postgraduate research studies. It suggests a model of supervisor registration and deregistration as intentional and systematic intervention, based on literature deriving from research in postgraduate supervision which acknowledges the problematic natures of relationships between teaching, learning and knowledge production. In doing so, it examines issues of discursive practice and the problematic nature of power differentials in supervisor/supervisee relationships and the possibilities presented by both registration and deregistration for such relationships.
Description:
This paper explores features of secondary school English as Second Language textbooks in use in China. It examines a number of textbooks in relation to surface and deep learning approaches,particularly as these relate to western constructs of Chinese learners.
Description:
This paper explores features of secondary school English as Second Language textbooks in use in China. It examines a number of textbooks in relation to surface and deep learning approaches,particularly as these relate to western constructs of Chinese learners.
Description:
This study will provide us with the tools to better communicate the unique attributes of learning that underpin the success we observe. It will enrich the discussion to include not only the charming insights of students and teachers, but also an intellectually rigorous framework for appreciating the innovation in learning outcomes." -- Foreword by Tim Sullivan : Deputy CEO and Museums director Sovereign Hill, page viii.
Description:
This study will provide us with the tools to better communicate the unique attributes of learning that underpin the success we observe. It will enrich the discussion to include not only the charming insights of students and teachers, but also an intellectually rigorous framework for appreciating the innovation in learning outcomes." -- Foreword by Tim Sullivan : Deputy CEO and Museums director Sovereign Hill, page viii.
Description:
The chronotope is suggested as going beyond the didactic to embrace the artistic and cultural in children's responses to their reading and writing. The essentially solipsistic concerns of young children and young adults in schools may be engaged using the suggestive possibilities of the chronotope as an organising feature of teaching reading and writing in a number of genres and production of text types, affording new ways of approaching reading and writing in classrooms. The chronotope opens up spaces for literary and pedagogical responses that takes teachers and students beyond the traditional and conventional referents of characterisation, plot, theme, setting, style, and so on. While this paper's focus is on literature designed for Australian children and young adults, the concepts may be applied more generally in relation to literature from within other cultures as well.
Description:
The chronotope is suggested as going beyond the didactic to embrace the artistic and cultural in children's responses to their reading and writing. The essentially solipsistic concerns of young children and young adults in schools may be engaged using the suggestive possibilities of the chronotope as an organising feature of teaching reading and writing in a number of genres and production of text types, affording new ways of approaching reading and writing in classrooms. The chronotope opens up spaces for literary and pedagogical responses that takes teachers and students beyond the traditional and conventional referents of characterisation, plot, theme, setting, style, and so on. While this paper's focus is on literature designed for Australian children and young adults, the concepts may be applied more generally in relation to literature from within other cultures as well.
Description:
In this paper we explore ways in which adults engage children's and young adult books in primary and secondary schools in relation to Bakhtin's (1981) posited chronotope. We base our discussion on an analysis of experienced practising teachers' own engagement with books that are offered to children and young adults as part of teachers' didactic activities in developing literacy skills and literature appreciation in classrooms, drawing on the concept of the chronotope as going beyond the didactic to embrace the artistic and cultural in children's responses to their reading and writing. The suggestive possibilities of the chronotope as an organising feature of teaching reading and writing in a number of genres and production of text types, affords new ways of approaching reading by teachers, at the same time as it invites these teachers to examine their own responses to the literature that they engage in the process. The concept of the chronotope opens up spaces for literary and pedagogical responses that derive from children's own experience of their world, but we argue that teacher responses that are restricted by their own views of the world may inhibit a full exploration by children of the possibilities that the books that they encounter as didactically bound and culturally limiting.
Description:
In this paper we explore ways in which adults engage children's and young adult books in primary and secondary schools in relation to Bakhtin's (1981) posited chronotope. We base our discussion on an analysis of experienced practising teachers' own engagement with books that are offered to children and young adults as part of teachers' didactic activities in developing literacy skills and literature appreciation in classrooms, drawing on the concept of the chronotope as going beyond the didactic to embrace the artistic and cultural in children's responses to their reading and writing. The suggestive possibilities of the chronotope as an organising feature of teaching reading and writing in a number of genres and production of text types, affords new ways of approaching reading by teachers, at the same time as it invites these teachers to examine their own responses to the literature that they engage in the process. The concept of the chronotope opens up spaces for literary and pedagogical responses that derive from children's own experience of their world, but we argue that teacher responses that are restricted by their own views of the world may inhibit a full exploration by children of the possibilities that the books that they encounter as didactically bound and culturally limiting.
Description:
This paper investigates undergraduates' innovative reflection-as a scripted and performed comedy routine in their School Revue-on their introduction as pre-service teachers (PSTs) to the discourses of Information Technologies (ITs) in teaching in schools. It is a small case study that we present here, mondful of the lack of generalisability that this presents, but we feel that it does lend itself to a close examination of a wide array of issues, experiences and outcomes in this small group that wrote and implemented the sketch in the Revue. Given the primacy of the role of language in any educational undertaking, it is perhaps not surprising that the focus of this sketch is on language, particularly as it is received by students, in that group of novice IT for Education students.
Description:
This paper investigates undergraduates' innovative reflection-as a scripted and performed comedy routine in their School Revue-on their introduction as pre-service teachers (PSTs) to the discourses of Information Technologies (ITs) in teaching in schools. It is a small case study that we present here, mondful of the lack of generalisability that this presents, but we feel that it does lend itself to a close examination of a wide array of issues, experiences and outcomes in this small group that wrote and implemented the sketch in the Revue. Given the primacy of the role of language in any educational undertaking, it is perhaps not surprising that the focus of this sketch is on language, particularly as it is received by students, in that group of novice IT for Education students.
Description:
Regardless of the literacy competencies that are basic to the mechanics of reading, there is a much larger and richer view of reading that goes well beyond such competencies. There are whole worlds of literature to explore as well, and it can be a most satisfying experience for adults and children as they explore them together. The 21st Century has emerged from a long tradition of culturally satisfying and spiritually delighting engagement with the language arts that are embodied in literature, and not just literacy. This paper explores some of those things from our more ancient pasts, and examines their relevance for adults, particularly parents and teachers, and children in the present age in the area of literature. In doing so, it goes beyond concepts of literacy, exploring notions of literature.
Description:
Regardless of the literacy competencies that are basic to the mechanics of reading, there is a much larger and richer view of reading that goes well beyond such competencies. There are whole worlds of literature to explore as well, and it can be a most satisfying experience for adults and children as they explore them together. The 21st Century has emerged from a long tradition of culturally satisfying and spiritually delighting engagement with the language arts that are embodied in literature, and not just literacy. This paper explores some of those things from our more ancient pasts, and examines their relevance for adults, particularly parents and teachers, and children in the present age in the area of literature. In doing so, it goes beyond concepts of literacy, exploring notions of literature.
Description:
In this paper we examine variations in Honours programs in Australian universities and the consequences that this has for students who wish to undertake higher degrees by research after their undergraduate programs have been successfully completed. Our review of universities' Honours programs across rural, regional, and urban Australia has indicated that there is a degree of variation that is localised as far as each university is concerned, and that there is a lack of consistency in various universities' application of policies or procedures in the implementation of their Honours programs. We conclude by calling for greater consistency across universities in Australia in the awarding of Honours, certainly, but also suggesting that a review needs to be undertaken as part of national, systematic and orchestrated project.
Description:
In this paper we examine variations in Honours programs in Australian universities and the consequences that this has for students who wish to undertake higher degrees by research after their undergraduate programs have been successfully completed. Our review of universities' Honours programs across rural, regional, and urban Australia has indicated that there is a degree of variation that is localised as far as each university is concerned, and that there is a lack of consistency in various universities' application of policies or procedures in the implementation of their Honours programs. We conclude by calling for greater consistency across universities in Australia in the awarding of Honours, certainly, but also suggesting that a review needs to be undertaken as part of national, systematic and orchestrated project.
Description:
The aim of this study is to examine the influence of environmental satisfaction, job satisfaction, and Big Five personality traits on subjective well-being. Data were collected from white-collar workers across four Chinese cities in 2009. All the research variables were measured with multi-item instruments with good psychometric properties. The research found that environmental satisfaction, job satisfaction, conscientiousness and extraversion have a positive effect on subjective well-being. In addition, individuals married, managers and working in state sector were found to be happier in their lives than individuals who are single, in non-managerial position and in private sector. However, the research found no relationship between neuroticism, agreeableness and subjective well-being. The finding of a positive relationship between environmental satisfaction and subjective well-being suggests that by pursuing a balance between economic development and environmental protection, urban residents' SWB could be enhanced.
Description:
The aim of this study is to examine the influence of environmental satisfaction, job satisfaction, and Big Five personality traits on subjective well-being. Data were collected from white-collar workers across four Chinese cities in 2009. All the research variables were measured with multi-item instruments with good psychometric properties. The research found that environmental satisfaction, job satisfaction, conscientiousness and extraversion have a positive effect on subjective well-being. In addition, individuals married, managers and working in state sector were found to be happier in their lives than individuals who are single, in non-managerial position and in private sector. However, the research found no relationship between neuroticism, agreeableness and subjective well-being. The finding of a positive relationship between environmental satisfaction and subjective well-being suggests that by pursuing a balance between economic development and environmental protection, urban residents' SWB could be enhanced.
An effective simulated annealing refined replica exchange Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for the infectious disease model of H1N1 influenza pandemic
Description:
This paper is concerned with a computational algorithm for fitting a deterministic MSEIRS (immune-susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered-susceptible) epidemic model for the transmission of influenza (H1N1) to mortality data. The model-fitting is carried out using a simulated annealing refined replica exchange Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. The effectiveness of the algorithm is illustrated using the triple wave data from five English towns collected during the 1918 ~ 1919 influenza pandemic. Numerical results show that the replica exchange (refined by simulated annealing) sampling technique is superior to other existing sampling techniques such as the Gibbs sampling technique, the Metropolis-Hastings sampling technique, the Multiple-try Metropolis technique for the Markov chain Monte Carlo computation. The algorithm presented in this paper has great promise to be used for carrying out some numerical computations of the current complex 2009 ∼ 2010 influenza pandemic.
Description:
This paper is concerned with a computational algorithm for fitting a deterministic MSEIRS (immune-susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered-susceptible) epidemic model for the transmission of influenza (H1N1) to mortality data. The model-fitting is carried out using a simulated annealing refined replica exchange Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. The effectiveness of the algorithm is illustrated using the triple wave data from five English towns collected during the 1918 ~ 1919 influenza pandemic. Numerical results show that the replica exchange (refined by simulated annealing) sampling technique is superior to other existing sampling techniques such as the Gibbs sampling technique, the Metropolis-Hastings sampling technique, the Multiple-try Metropolis technique for the Markov chain Monte Carlo computation. The algorithm presented in this paper has great promise to be used for carrying out some numerical computations of the current complex 2009 ∼ 2010 influenza pandemic.
Description:
In recent years large-scale global optimization (GO) problems have drawn considerable attention. These problems have many applications, in particular in data mining and biochemistry. Numerical methods for GO are often very time consuming and could not be applied for high-dimensional non-convex and / or non-smooth optimization problems. The thesis explores reasons why we need to develop and study new algorithms for solving large-scale GO problems .... The thesis presents several derivative-free hybrid methods for large scale GO problems. These methods do not guarantee the calculation of a global solution; however, results of numerical experiments presented in this thesis demonstrate that they, as a rule, calculate a solution which is a global one or close to it. Their applications to data mining problems and the protein folding problem are demonstrated.
Description:
In recent years large-scale global optimization (GO) problems have drawn considerable attention. These problems have many applications, in particular in data mining and biochemistry. Numerical methods for GO are often very time consuming and could not be applied for high-dimensional non-convex and / or non-smooth optimization problems. The thesis explores reasons why we need to develop and study new algorithms for solving large-scale GO problems .... The thesis presents several derivative-free hybrid methods for large scale GO problems. These methods do not guarantee the calculation of a global solution; however, results of numerical experiments presented in this thesis demonstrate that they, as a rule, calculate a solution which is a global one or close to it. Their applications to data mining problems and the protein folding problem are demonstrated.
Description:
Background: Prion diseases are fatal and infectious neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and animals. Rabbits are one of the few mammalian species reported to be resistant to infection from prion diseases isolated from other species (I. Vorberg et al., Journal of Virology 77 (3) (2003) 2003-2009). Thus the study of rabbit prion protein structure to obtain insight into the immunity of rabbits to prion diseases is very important. Findings: The paper is a straight forward molecular dynamics simulation study of wild-type rabbit prion protein (monomer cellular form) which apparently resists the formation of the scrapie form. The comparison analyses with human and mouse prion proteins done so far show that the rabbit prion protein has a stable structure. The main point is that the enhanced stability of the C-terminal ordered region especially helix 2 through the D177-R163 salt-bridge formation renders the rabbit prion protein stable. The salt bridge D201-R155 linking helixes 3 and 1 also contributes to the structural stability of rabbit prion protein. The hydrogen bond H186-R155 partially contributes to the structural stability of rabbit prion protein. Conclusions: Rabbit prion protein was found to own the structural stability, the salt bridges D177-R163, D201-R155 greatly contribute and the hydrogen bond H186-R155 partially contributes to this structural stability. The comparison of the structural stability of prion proteins from the three species rabbit, human and mouse showed that the human and mouse prion protein structures were not affected by the removing these two salt bridges. Dima et al. (Biophysical Journal 83 (2002) 1268-1280 and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101 (2004) 15335-15340) also confirmed this point and pointed out that "correlated mutations that reduce the frustration in the second half of helix 2 in mammalian prion proteins could inhibit the formation of PrPSc".
Description:
Background: Prion diseases are fatal and infectious neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and animals. Rabbits are one of the few mammalian species reported to be resistant to infection from prion diseases isolated from other species (I. Vorberg et al., Journal of Virology 77 (3) (2003) 2003-2009). Thus the study of rabbit prion protein structure to obtain insight into the immunity of rabbits to prion diseases is very important. Findings: The paper is a straight forward molecular dynamics simulation study of wild-type rabbit prion protein (monomer cellular form) which apparently resists the formation of the scrapie form. The comparison analyses with human and mouse prion proteins done so far show that the rabbit prion protein has a stable structure. The main point is that the enhanced stability of the C-terminal ordered region especially helix 2 through the D177-R163 salt-bridge formation renders the rabbit prion protein stable. The salt bridge D201-R155 linking helixes 3 and 1 also contributes to the structural stability of rabbit prion protein. The hydrogen bond H186-R155 partially contributes to the structural stability of rabbit prion protein. Conclusions: Rabbit prion protein was found to own the structural stability, the salt bridges D177-R163, D201-R155 greatly contribute and the hydrogen bond H186-R155 partially contributes to this structural stability. The comparison of the structural stability of prion proteins from the three species rabbit, human and mouse showed that the human and mouse prion protein structures were not affected by the removing these two salt bridges. Dima et al. (Biophysical Journal 83 (2002) 1268-1280 and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101 (2004) 15335-15340) also confirmed this point and pointed out that "correlated mutations that reduce the frustration in the second half of helix 2 in mammalian prion proteins could inhibit the formation of PrPSc".