Digital Commons Network^™

Alienation From School Among Aboriginal Students, Jan Gray, Quentin Beresford

Research outputs pre 2011

It is difficult to overstate the depth of the educational disadvantage which continues to be experienced by Aboriginal young people in the Swan District. While encouraging signs can be found in the genuinely positive attitudes towards school among many of the Aboriginal students who are regular attenders, it is still the case that considerable differences in educational outcomes between Aborigines and non-Aborigines remain.

For example:

• Only one of the students interviewed was found to be undertaking a full Tertiary Entrance Examination course in the district during the Year 2000.

• Few students (especially boys) remain at school to study …

Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health At The End Of The 20th Century, Neil Thomson (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

The papers were presented originally at the 1999 Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). Reflecting the importance that the RACP attaches to the issue, Indigenous health was a major theme of the ASM. Six sessions over two days were devoted to various aspects of Indigenous health - the general policy context, lessons from the experiences of Indigenous peoples internationally, consideration of specific health services initiatives, and detailed examination of individual health topics...

On The Evolution Of Probability-Weighting Function And Its Impact On Gambling, Steven Li, Yun Hsing Cheung

Research outputs pre 2011

It is well known that individuals treat losses and gains differently and there exists non-linearity in probability. The asymmetry between gains and losses is highlighted by the reflection effect. The non-linearity in probability is described by the curvature of the probability-weighting function. This paper studies the evolution of the probability-weighting function. It is assumed that the probability weighting for an individual follows a mean-reverting stochastic process. The Monte Carlo simulation technique is employed to study the evolution of the weighting function. The evolution of the probability- weighting function implies that an individual does not treat gains or losses consistently over …

M-Garch Hedge Ratios And Hedging Effectiveness In Australian Futures Markets [Working Paper], Wenling Yang

Research outputs pre 2011

This study estimates optimal hedge ratios using various econometric models. Applying daily AOIs and SPI futures on the Australian market, optimal hedge ratios are calculated from the OLS regression model, the bivariate vector autoregressive model (BVAR), the error-correction model (ECM) and the multivariate diagonal Vec GARCH Model. The hedging effectiveness is measured in terms of ex-post and ex-ante risk-return tradeoff at various forecasting horizons. It is generally found that the GARCH time varying hedge ratios provide the greatest portfolio risk reduction, particularly for longer hedging horizons, but they do not generate the highest portfolio return.

Supporting Students With Learning Difficulties In A School Of The Air, Judith Rivalland, Mary Rohl, Pru Smith, Centre For Inclusive Schooling Learning Difficulties Team, Department Of Education

Research outputs pre 2011

This project was funded by Edith Cowan University and the Centre for Inclusive Schooling (Department of Education, formerly Education Department of Western Australia) as an Institute for the Service Professions Collaborative Grant. It was carried out in order to examine the following questions:

• What are the ways in which identification, assessment and teaching processes make provision for students with learning difficulties who are enrolled in a School of the Air?

• In what ways do Support Officers Learning Difficulties support these children, their home tutors and their teachers?

Perceptions Of Their Teachers By Aboriginal Students, John Godfrey, Gary Partington, Kaye Richer, Mort Harslett

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

Hiding Behind Nakedness On The Nude Beach, Lelia Rosalind Green

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper draws upon a series of experiences between 1980-85, when I identified as a naturist during my summer holidays in Europe, and in a visit to Wreck Beach in Vancouver (where I felt very much at home). At the time, I was aware that nude beaches were much less threatening to me as a large woman than are conventional 'textile' beaches. This paper draws upon those experiences to theorise why this might be the case, and why I have been absent from beach culture for much of the past decade.

Seeking Best Practice In Online Learning: Flexible Learning Toolboxes In The Australian Vet Sector, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper describes The Flexible Learning Toolboxes Project , a component of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework for the National Vocational Education and Training System 2000-2004 (AFL Framework). The AFL Framework is designed to support the accelerated take-up of flexible learning modes and position Australian VET as a world leader in applying new technologies to vocational education products and services. A Toolbox is a set of learning resources designed for web based delivwww.ascilite.orgs customisation and reuse in the National Training Framework, which forms the basis of qualifications and accreditation in the Australian VET sector. The paper describes aspects of the …

Do Uk Stock Prices Deviate From Fundementals?, David E. Allen, Y Wenling

Research outputs pre 2011

This article examines the deviation of the UK market index from market fundamentals implied by the simple dividend discount model and identifies other components that also affect price movements. The components are classified as permanent, temporary, excess stock returns and non-fundamental innovations in terms of a multivariate moving average model [Lee 1998]. We find that time varying discounted rates play an active role in explaining price deviations.

The State Of Science In Australian Secondary Schools, Mark W. Hackling, Denis Goodrum, Leonie Rennie

Research outputs pre 2011

Presents research which sets out to establish two pictures: one of the ideal regarding the teaching and learning of science, the other of the reality of what is actually happening in Australian schools. Identifies issues and implications for science teachers and the profession.

Developing Generic Tools For Use In Flexible Learning: A Preliminary Progress Report, Ron Oliver, Barry Harper, Shirley Agostinho

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper presents a description of the Australian University Teaching Committee (AUTC) funded project titled: "Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Their Role in Flexible Learning" that aims to provide opportunities for university teachers to create high quality flexible learning experiences for students. This is to be accomplished by the development of a range of software tools and templates based on previously successful ICT-based learning projects in a form that will enable teachers in other settings and subject areas to create similar learning environments for their students. The project is a two-year endeavor and began in November 2000. The purpose …

Supporting Beginning Teachers: A Web-Based Collegial Enterprise, Janice Herrington, Anthony Herrington, Arshad Omari, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper describes the design, development and evaluation of a website designed to ameliorate many of the problems encountered by beginning teachers. The site allows new teachers, and preservice teachers on school practice, to communicate with each other through a discussion board, and provides access to a range of resources including lesson plans, videos of exemplary teaching, annotated lists of useful websites and frequently asked questions. Such access may help to lessen the feelings of isolation and lack of support felt by many beginning teachers, and provide a link between the practical realities and constraints of the classroom and the …

Promoting Self-Regulated Learning In An On-Line Environment, Mark Mcmahon, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

Self-Regulation has long been seen as a desirable but difficult to achieve instructional aim. This is particularly true of on-line learning, where users have limited instructional support and where attrition rates tend to be greater than in face-to-face teaching. This paper examines the nature of self-regulation, identifying affective and cognitive skills which make for self-regulated learners. The broad psychological states of metacognition and self-concept are identified as well as the motivational and cognitive processes that underpin them. The volitional, learning, and regulatory strategies which learners use are delineated. These are placed within the context of online learning. Aspects which characterise …

Application Of Shunting Inhibitory Artificial Neural Networks To Medical Diagnosis, Ganesh Arulampalam, Abdesselam Bouzerdoum

Research outputs pre 2011

Shunting inhibitory artificial neural networks (SIANNs) are biologically inspired networks in which the neurons interact among each other via a nonlinear mechanism called shunting inhibition. Since they are high-order networks, SIANNs are capable of producing complex, nonlinear decision boundaries. In this article, feedforward SIANNs are applied to several medical diagnosis problems and the results are compared with those obtained using multilayer perceptrons (MLPs). First, the structure of feedforward SIANNs is presented. Then, these networks are applied to some standard medical classification problems, namely the Pima Indians diabetes and Wisconsin breast cancer classification problems. The SIANN performance compares favourably with that …

Does Emotional Intelligence Affect Successful Teamwork?, Joseph Luca, Pina Tarricone

Research outputs pre 2011

There is a growing emphasis in tertiary education that students should develop professional skills as part of their education. Skills such as problem solving, communication, collaboration, interpersonal skills, social skills and time management are actively being targeted by prospective employers as essential requirements for employability especially in team environments. Of these, employment authorities consistently mention collaboration and teamwork as being a critical skill, essential in almost all working environments. How then can students successfully practice teamwork skills in tertiary institutions in order to develop these skills? In this study, a group of final year multimedia students were investigated while completing …

Quality In Online Delivery: What Does It Mean For Assessment In E-Learning Environments?, Catherine E Mcloughlin, Joseph Luca

Research outputs pre 2011

While a great deal has been written on the advantages and benefits of online teaching, and research continues to proliferate, many practitioners are seeking guidelines that can be applied to the design of assessment in online environments. The last decade has seen the convergence of traditional distance education with on-campus modes of delivery and work-based training signalling new models of flexible delivery. In addition, demand driven education accentuates the learner’s role and needs while the teacher has become a manager, mediator and motivator of student learning. Issues raised by national and international bodies and quality assurance agencies now seem to …

An E-Learning Solution To Creating Work-Related Skills And Competencies For The Knowledge-Based Economy, Catherine Mcloughlin, Joseph Luca

Research outputs pre 2011

This case study presents a description of Web-based tertiary unit of study developed in collaboration with employer, industry and university stakeholders with a view to fostering skills in interactive multimedia and project management. The course utilised a range of learning approaches, including peer teaching and integrated assessment in which participants provided feedback to colleagues. The paper also discusses how electronic communications and Apple-based technologies can be used effectively to create environments for professional learning. The intention is to describe the design of the learning environment, the curriculum approach adopted, the types of learning activities and assessment tasks that were designed …

Fostering Higher Order Thinking Through Online Tasks, Joseph Luca, Catherine E Mcloughlin

Research outputs pre 2011

Increasingly higher education institutions are being asked to be more pro-active in delivering instruction through on-line facilities, while at the same time being more effective in fostering higher order thinking skills for students. This action research case study considered the effects of tertiary students working in teams to collaboratively solve ill-defined problems in an on-line environment. The framework adopted for analysis of higher order thinking investigated types of talk that were indicative of reasoning processes. Results indicated that the students' capacity to display higher order thinking increased as a result of the students collaborating and communicating through the custom built …

Improving Assessment: Rubrics In A Tertiary Multimedia Course, Barnard Clarkson, Joseph Luca

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper explains how alternative assessment methods were implemented in a first-year tertiary course on web design. The aim was to make assessment clearer for the students to understand, and more focussed, using a rubric—a detailed, criterion-referenced marking guide. The results of a post-course evaluation of this action research showed that students strongly appreciated the use of this type of assessment. Our conclusion is that the rubric approach improves student satisfaction and can save lecturers time when marking.

Knowledge-Based Genetic Algorithm For Layer Assignment, Maolin Tang, Kamran Eshraghian, Daryoush Habibi

Research outputs pre 2011

Layer assignment is an important post-layout optimization technique in very large scale integrated circuit (VLSI) layout automation. It re-assigns wire segments in a routing solution to appropriate layers to achieve certain optimization objectives. The paper focuses on investigating the layer assignment problem with application to via minimization, which is known to be NP-complete. A knowledge based genetic algorithm for the layer assignment problem is proposed, with the aim of utilizing domain specific knowledge to speed up the process of evolution and to improve the quality of solutions. Experimental results show that this knowledge based genetic algorithm can consistently produce the …

Mutual Fund Company Mergers And Their Impact On Investment Flows, David Allen, Jerry Parwada

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

Wetland Vegetation Monitoring, 2000/2001 (Salinity Action Plan), B. Franke, R. Gurner, R. Froend

Research outputs pre 2011

This report represents the vegetation component of a project designed to provide ongoing monitoring of wetland salinity and biological resources in wetlands of the agricultural zone of south-west Western Australia. Maintenance of wetland biological diversity in the agricultural zone is one of the major objectives of the Salinity Action Plan. Due to their low position in the landscape, wetlands are the habitat most affected by salinisation.

Qualitative Research Interviews: Identifying Problems In Technique, Gary Partington

Research outputs pre 2011

Interviews that are conducted for qualitative research rely for their quality on the nature of the interactions with the interviewees. In this article, some of the factors that contribute to quality interactions are discussed in relation to a research project based on interviews conducted by a team of researchers. Issues covered include the importance of empathy and rapport, listening and questioning, restatement, clarification and persistence. Researchers should be aware of the powerful influence of these factors on the responses of interviewees. They should take steps to ensure quality data is obtained by using appropriate interview techniques and suitable interviewers.

Treating Internet Users As 'Audiences': Suggesting Some Research Directions, Lelia Rosalind Green

Research outputs pre 2011

Within the last decade the Internet 'has emerged out of nowhere' (Barr 2000, back cover) to monopolise much of the domestic time, intellectual interest, and financial resources that had previously been lavished upon film, television, and (specialist console) game consumption. So far, research on the Internet appears to be following a similar evolutionary pattern to research on broadcast media-displacement studies (what have people 'given up' to make time for the Internet?), effects studies (is it addictive, bad, bankrupting, and why?), ratings data, and response to moral panics (Internet gambling and pornography). Arguably, applied research involving Internet partidpants treats users as …

Skewness Is The Name Of The Game, Y. H. Cheung

Research outputs pre 2011

Theoretical models of risk taking attempt to explain why risk-averse individuals participate in unfair gambles. This paper evaluates the two explanations as to why rational individuals would accept gambles with negative expected returns. It is found that it is skewness, not the mean or the variance of the prize distribution that attracts risk-averse gamblers. However, evidence shows that there seems to be an optimal trade-off between operators’ sales revenues and skewness of the pay-off; a point that designer of gambling games needs to heed to.

Juvenile Sex Offenders In Western Australia: Offence History, Treatment And Recidivism, Alfred Allan, Maria M. Allan, Katalin Kraszlan

Research outputs pre 2011

The aim of this research project was to provide a general description of different groups of juvenile sex offenders in Western Australia (WA), and to describe their offence histories and re-offending. It also aimed to compare the juvenile sex offenders with all juvenile offenders in WA. The last aim was to identify variables, which could discriminate between juveniles who are convicted of later sex offences, and those who are not. The sample consisted of 334 juvenile sex offenders convicted in the WA Children’s Court (Court) from January 1990 until the end of June 1998. To achieve this, the research team …

Assuring The Quality Of Online Learning In Australian Higher Education, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper discusses the major issues confronting the successful adoption and sustained use of online learning in higher education within the Australian context. The paper argues that four main issues which universities must deal with to achieve maximum potential from online learning technologies are: the establishment of cost-effective practices; the achievement and maintenance of quality in online learning delivery; ensuring access and equity in the delivery of programs; and establishing practices which can enable online learning to be sustained and to grow as a mainstream activity in university teaching and learning. While these issues are suggested as discrete entities, it …

Investigating Processes Of Social Knowledge Construction In Online Environments, Catherine Mcloughlin, Joseph Luca

Research outputs pre 2011

On-line forums provide opportunity and potential for collaborative work, dialogue and study that can increase the flexibility of learning while motivating participants. By enabling teacher-learner and learner-learner interaction online systems can support the essential elements of a learning conversation by providing scope for discussion, dialogue and interaction. It is argued that this medium presents a socio-cognitive educational domain, unique in its potential for dialogue, participation and collaboration and a departure from face-to-face didactic paradigms of learning. Often, the types of verbal interactions and the means by which new knowledge is created on-line are not well understood. The paper provides frameworks …

Illustrated Topical Dictionary Of The Western Desert Language : Based On The Ngaanyatjarra Dialect, Wilf Douglas

Research outputs pre 2011

The dictionary is based on the Ngaanyatjarra dialect of the Western Desert Language. It was designed originally to bridge the gap between my description of the grammar of the Western Desert Language (Oceanic Linguistic Monographs, No 4 Revised 1964) and the anticipated comprehensive dictionary which has been submitted by Misses A Glass and D Hackett for publication in Alice Springs this year. Some spelling alterations have been made in this edition to be consistent with those in the Glass and Hackett work.

Teaching And Learning Online: A Beginner's Guide To E-Learning And E-Teaching In Higher Education, Ron Oliver, Jan Herrington

Research outputs pre 2011

The move to online learning has a huge groundswell of approval and support across all sectors of education and it is likely that this level of interest which has been growing steadily will continue to grow even further in the immediate future. There are a number of clear reasons that can be seen to sit behind the popularity of this form of technology-based education. Some of the more common factors and influences driving the uptake of online delivery include:

• Flexibility: In many institutions, administrators are seeing advantage in the flexibility that online learning settings create for course delivery. The …