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The Position Of Physical Education Within The Primary School Curriculum: Perceptions, Attitudes And Realities, Sandra Catherine Daley

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The aim of this research was to determine the value that primary school teachers, parents and children place on Physical Education; and teachers’ and parents’ perception of the role of Physical Education in a child’s overall physical and mental development. Conducted at two primary schools in the Australian Capital Territory Australia, this research collected data from teachers and parents using focus groups and questionnaires, to gain a greater understanding of how Physical Education is being taught; barriers to teaching this area of the curriculum; parent’s knowledge and expectations of their school’s Physical Education program; and parent’s knowledge of the contribution …

Intake Of Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (N-3 Lcpufa) Among Australian Children (2-16 Years): In Depth Nutrient And Food Analysis, Setyaningrum Rahmawaty

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

An accurate dietary assessment of n-3 LCPUFA intake is necessary to monitor the possibility of the emergence of nutrition issues related to the consumption of these fats. In Australia, however, limited information is available on dietary assessment of EPA, DPA and DHA intake in the population of children.

The central aim of this thesis is to assess current intakes of EPA, DPA and DHA, and options that may potentially be used to modify intake of these fatty acids in Australian children’s diet.

The research designs used in this thesis are as follows: (1) Secondary analysis of n-3 LCPUFA intakes of …

Transition Of Children With Disabilities Into Early Childhood Education And Care Centres, Jane Warren

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Australia’s first national quality framework for early childhood was introduced in January 2012 to provide a consistent approach to high quality early childhood education and care across Australia. Despite the expansion of such services, the percentage of children with disabilities accessing early childhood education and care centres is significantly lower than the percentage of children without disabilities. Transition into early childhood education and care centres can lay the foundation for the success of inclusion in formal school settings. While there have been studies on transition into school, transition into early childhood education and care centres - that is, non-compulsory education …

Identification Of Design Principles For Effective Internet-Based Education To Support Young People Living With Diabetes, Richard Thomas Sprod

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Internet-based communication technologies and participatory software tools have created new opportunities for teaching and learning. Research determining the principles required for effective application of these innovations for children and adolescents is limited. This study focused on determining the principles required for effective and appropriate use Internet-based communication technologies for the education and support of young people living with diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is a life threatening disease, thus education aimed at developing competent self-management behaviours is vital in order to avoid serious complications (Court, Cameron, Berg-Kelly, & Swift, 2009; DCCT, 1993). Existing diabetes education models are often limited, yet there …

Relationships Between Actual Competence, Perceived Physical Competence, Social Support, Enjoyment And Objectively Measured Physical Activity Among Children And Adolescents, Angelee-Jane Boyd

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

According to Competence Motivation Theory (Harter, 1978; Weiss 2000), children are more likely to participate in behaviours such as physical activity if their experiences are enjoyable, with enjoyment coming from several sources. These include actual competence (how good they are at the behaviour), social support (for the behaviour from significant others) and perceived physical competence (how good they think they are at the behaviour). Constructs within this theory have been tested among children using sports participation as a proxy measure of physical activity (Ulrich, 1987). However, more accurate methods of measuring physical activity that can provide objective data for this …

Adults’ And Children’S Consideration Of Better And Worse Possible Worlds: The Impact On Mood And Preparedness, Rebecca Zuchetti

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Counterfactual thinking refers to our everyday thoughts of ‘what if’ and ‘if only’ when we consider an outcome and ponder over how it could have been better (upward counterfactuals) or worse (downward counterfactuals). Extensive research has investigated the nature and consequences of such thinking in the adult population. However, uncertainty is present in the functionalist account of counterfactual thinking as to how the consideration of both better and worse alternatives impacts one’s affective and preparatory feelings. The consequences arising from counterfactual thinking in the event of positive outcomes also requires clarification, as does the role of downward counterfactual generation. Further, …