Digital Commons Network^™

Social Justice, Pedagogy And Multiliteracies: Developing Communities Of Practice For Teacher Education, Wendy Cumming-Potvin

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Celebrating and responding equitably to diversity have become increasingly essential for teachers’ work in the new millennium, which is characterized by shifting local and global communities. Aiming to broaden conceptions of teacher education within a predominantly ‘back to basics’ literacy environment, this article draws on selected results from a qualitative study underpinned by the metaphor of communities of practice (Wenger, 1998; Wenger et al., 2002). Conducted in Western Australia, the project involved a small group of pre-service teachers using a pedagogy of ‘Multiliteracies’ (The New London Group, 2000) in face-to-face and on-line settings to construct understandings about literacy learning and …

Automatic Detection Of Child Pornography, Glen Thompson

Australian Digital Forensics Conference

Before the introduction of the internet, the availability of child pornography was reported as on the decline (Jenkins 2001). Since its emergence, however, the internet has made child pornography a much more accessible and available means of trafficking across borders (Biegel 2001; Jenkins 2001; Wells, Finkelhor et al. 2007). The internet as it is at present is made up of a vast array of protocols and networks where traffickers can anonymously share large volumes of illegal material amongst each other from locations with relaxed or non-existent laws that prohibit the possession or trafficking of illegal material. Likewise the internet is …

Learning By Doing: Preservice Teachers As Reading Tutors, Suzanne Dawkins, Marie-Eve Ritz, William Louden

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Whilst early childhood educators are well aware of the importance of meeting the needs of individual children when teaching ‘struggling readers’, finding the time for frequent one-on-one support is difficult. Studies have established that with a well developed and structured tutoring programme, as well as high quality training and supervision, volunteers can be used to provide tutoring in a one-on-one early intervention reading programme. The current study suggests that there is an opportunity for preservice teachers to gain valuable information to increase their knowledge of the reading process, while providing effective support to schools as trained tutors. The small-scale exploratory …

Transformational Learners: Transformational Teachers, Marguerite Jones

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Transformational learning, according to Mezirow (1981), involves transforming taken-for-granted frames of reference into more discriminating, flexible ‘habits of mind’. In teacher education, transformative learning impacts on the development of students’ action theories, self-efficacy and professional attributes. Although considered imperative to reflective practice, not all students take a transformative, ‘double-loop’ approach to learning; reflexive and adaptive learning are also identifiable. This paper discusses the integration of the three learning approaches in the conceptualisation of LEARnT Theory (Jones, 2008), whereby Learning evolves as: Efficacy informs Actions, and Reflection impacts Theory building. LEARnT integrates reflexive, adaptive and transformative approaches. In Reflexive approaches, learning …

Exploring Greek Teachers’ Beliefs Using Metaphors, Kasoutas Michael, Malamitsa Katerina

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

When teachers describe their roles through metaphors, they also construct specific personal meanings about teaching. Despite the frequency with which teachers and teaching are treated metaphorically there has been no previous systematic attempt to explore them in Greece. Our paper seeks to fill this void by examining the various metaphors used by teachers to describe the experience of teaching and suggests how and to what extent the understanding of the metaphors can be useful in exploring teachers’ beliefs and how they may contribute to teacher education programs. A questionnaire was devised to a sample of 156 in-service teachers which focused …

Examining The Teacher Efficacy And Achievement Goals As Predictors Of Turkish Student Teachers’ Conceptions About Teaching And Learning, Altay Eren

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Based on the fact that the relationships among student teachers’ efficacy beliefs, achievement goals, and conceptions about teaching and learning has remained to be investigated to date, this study aimed to examine student teachers’ efficacy beliefs and achievement goals as predictors of their conceptions about teaching and learning. Results of the present study showed that student teachers’ conceptions about teaching and learning are significantly predicted by their efficacy beliefs and achievement goals. Results also demonstrated that the effects of student teachers’ efficacy beliefs and motivational beliefs on their conceptions about teaching and learning vary as a function of the fields …

Enhancing Students' Attitude Towards Nigerian Senior Secondary School Physics Through The Use Of Cooperative, Competitive And Individualistic Learning Strategies, Akinyemi Olufunminiyi Akinbobola

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The study was conducted to find out the attitude of students towards the use of cooperative, competitive and individualistic learning strategies in Nigerian senior secondary school physics. The design selected for this study was quasi-experimental. A total of 140 students took part in the study and they were selected by a random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire titled Students’ Attitude Towards Physics Questionnaire (SATPQ) on 4-point scale was used to collect the data. The Students’ Attitude Towards Physics Questionnaire (SATPQ) was validated and trial-tested to establish reliability using Cronbach Alpha. The instrument had a coefficient of internal consistency of 0.86. …

In-Service Teacher Training In Japan And Turkey: A Comparative Analysis Of Institutions And Practices, Mustafa Bayrakcı

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The purpose of this study is to compare policies and practices relating to teacher in-service training in Japan and Turkey. On the basis of the findings of the study, suggestions are made about in-service training activities in Turkey. The research was carried using qualitative research methods. In-service training activities in the two education systems were investigated through visits to the educational institutions and semi-structured interviews. The study indicates that the most important problems facing in-service training activities in Turkey are a lack of professional staff, no collaborative partnerships between teachers, no provision for feedback and no systematic in-service training model.

Why Educators Should Bring An End To Pedagogy, R. Scott Webster

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

As Australia is moving towards a national curriculum there are also activities to nationalise teacher education. This involves various departments of state and federal governments, third-party bodies funded by government such as the Curriculum Corporation and Teaching Australia, and non-government organisations such as the Business Council of Australia. These agencies are producing models and principles which aim on establishing standards of best practice for how they want teachers to teach. Within all of this activity the term ‘pedagogy’ is often employed to represent aspects of these best practices. Examples include ‘productive pedagogies’, ‘new pedagogies’, ‘pedagogical content knowledge’ and ‘pedagogical strategies’. …

Terror Attacks: Understanding Social Risk Views Between Singaporean Lay And Security Practitioners, Yam Hong Loo, David J. Brooks

Australian Security and Intelligence Conference

This study investigated the psychometric risk perception between lay people and security practitioners towards terrorist attack against Singaporean educational institutions. Being located in Southeast Asia, Singapore is not immune to terrorist attacks from rebels found in the region. To promote fear and chaos, terrorists have begun to attack private and neutral institutions in order to promote their cause. Mosques, hospitals and other such institutions are no longer immune from terrorist attacks. The psychometric risk paradigm offers a basis for examining empirical views towards potential terrorist attack against such institutions. Survey data in comparing terrorist attack against Singapore’s educational institutions with …

Australian Covert Bullying Prevalence Study, Donna Cross, Therese Shaw, Lydia Hearn, Melanie Epstein, Helen Monks, Leanne Lester, Laura Thomas

Research outputs pre 2011

The safety of members of the school community is essential to enhance the academic, social development and well being of young people. In line with the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child, the National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF) is regarded as.a highly innovative, collaborative effort on behalf of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments to foster the development and implementation of a series of whole-of-school initiatives to produce an integrated national policy for the prevention and early intervention of bullying and other aggressive and violent behaviours.

Yet despite the impact of the NSSF in terms of reducing …

Defeating Biometric Fingerprint Systems: An Applied Testing Methodology, David J. Brooks

Australian Security and Intelligence Conference

Biometric access control systems are becoming more common and may be considered high-security, due to their ability to identify and validate that the person is who they purport to be. Therefore, such biometric systems are often installed into critical infrastructure facilities as a means to gain high security protection. To date, there has been considerable research into the effectiveness of biometric devices to recognise valid users and reject invalid users, and to develop standards for interoperability. However, biometric systems are vulnerable to many categories of attack and there has been restricted research into such defeat vulnerabilities.

This article presents an …

Information Overload: Cctv, Your Networks, Communities And Crime, Vandra Harris, Crispin Harris

Australian Security and Intelligence Conference

Electronic surveillance continues to play a central but often unobserved role in contemporary Western societies and attempts to police them. This paper focuses on closed circuit television (CCTV) footage and its technological implications, particularly relating infrastructure and data storage and integrity. While CCTV might appear attractive in augmenting law enforcement systems, the authors argue that the debate on use of CCTV in crime prevention remains incomplete without an effective understanding of the diverse costs. This discussion reveals startling ICT resource needs and associated costs, together with very specific technological capacity. These contribute significantly to the costs of such systems, reinforcing …

Professional Intelligence Judgement Artistry: Some Early Observations, Jeff Corkill

Australian Security and Intelligence Conference

Intelligence analysis is critical national security and law enforcement function dependant on the intellectual capacity of individual analysts. The practice of intelligence is undertaken in an extremely complex environment often under a veil of secrecy, and where uncertain and deceptive information represents the norm. In order to develop as a profession appropriate constructs with which to explore and explain how analysts process intelligence, make decisions and reach judgements are needed. An improved understanding will offer opportunities to develop appropriate training and professional development for intelligence analysts. This paper introduces the construct of Professional Intelligence Judgement Artistry together with some very …

Consensual Security Risk Assessment: Overcoming Bias, Conflicting Interests And Parochialism, Benjamin Beard, David J. Brooks

Australian Security and Intelligence Conference

In a risk assessment process, insular methods of data collection and analysis may lead to an inaccurate risk assessment as stakeholders hold individual biases, conflicting interests and parochial approaches to certain risks. The article considered these issues and tested a consensual risk assessment approach that can overcome many of these issues. A staged risk assessment process was applied within an entertainment complex in the Security, and Food and Beverage Departments. Eight supervisors from the two departments participated in the study, with each participants individually interviewed on their view of predefined risks followed by the same risks discussed within a facilitated …

A Literature Review And Analysis Of Prison Offences And Punishments In England And Wales In 2007 By Gender, Catharine Phillips

Theses : Honours

It is commonly agreed by scholars, members of the criminal justice system and the general public that court imposed sentences at times differ depending on the gender of the offender. However, there has been little empirical research conducted in regards to gender differences related to offending and discipline within prisons. The few published studies have reported contradictory results. Prison discipline is an essential part of upholding the good order and security of prisons along with maintaining the safety of prison staff, visitors, prisoners and the general public. The proposed research will identify any discrepancies between the punishments handed to male …

Hope (Health Of Prisoner Evaluation): Pilot Study Of Prisoner Physical Health And Psychological Wellbeing, Sharan Kraemer, Natalie Gately, Jenny Kessell

Research outputs pre 2011

Prisons offer a unique opportunity to make positive interventions not only in relation to health issues but also to address the social determinants of ill health. Even with the limited knowledge we have had in regard to the health of WA's prisoners it is apparent that prisons concentrate patients with significantly greater levels of morbidity than most other environments. It is also apparent that this concentration of morbidity parallels deficits in housing, nutrition, employment, education and family structure and is multiplied dramatically by the blight of mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse. Western Australia is unequalled in the Western …

Young Women's Perspectives On Tanning In Solariums: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study, Michelle Louise Russell

Theses : Honours

Despite Australia's general public awareness regarding the dangers of UVR exposure, young women continue to tan in solariums. This study utilised a qualitative approach with eight in-depth interviews to explore young women's perspectives on tanning in solariums. The 'core category' or storyline underlying participants' responses was 'being in control'. Three core themes emerged from the data: 'positive reinforcers', which related to attractions and motivations to tan, 'possessing knowledge' which concerned the different types of knowledge which participants held, and 'change' which represented participants' outcomes from external pressures. It was found that body image concerns and reinforcing rewards were motivators to …

Effects Of Ancient And Modern, Avoidant And Approach Stimuli On Visual Search Task Reaction Times, Sanja Bojic

Theses : Honours

The threat superiority effect refers to faster and more accurate detection of fearful stimuli. This has been explained as evidence for evolution, as ancient fearful stimuli are detected more quickly than modern fearful stimuli. The aim of this study was to investigate which of two alternate evolutionary explanations best explains the findings. Whereas Ohman and Mineka (2001) dealt only with avoidant responses, Lang suggested that stimuli may evoke either an avoidant (fearful) or approach response, associated with negative or positive valence, respectively. The experiment employed a same-different task where Age (ancient, modern), and Valence (approach, avoidant, neutral) were manipulated and …

A Narrative Analysis Of The Experiences Of Living With Hiv For Heterosexual Men, Tanya Millard

Theses : Honours

The number of heterosexual men presenting with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is steadily increasing in Australia. A paucity of literature currently exists surrounding the experience of living with HIV for heterosexual men, with most information targeted towards gay men, injecting drug users (IDUs) and women. This narrative literature review examines the body of knowledge concerning the experiences of heterosexual men living with HIV. The findings of this review indicate that for heterosexual men, HIV significantly impacts on their physical, psychological and social well being. In particular, they struggle with social and intimate relationships, negotiating disclosure, managing their stigmatised identity, and …

Balancing Multiple Roles: A Pilot Study Exploring The Complexity Of Role Balance In Working Mothers With Primary School Aged Children, Katherine Prince

Theses : Honours

For working mothers, maintaining a balance between work and parenting roles is a challenge. Each role presents its own set of physical, mental and temporal demands which frequently compete for the limited personal and environmental resources available to the mother. These competing demands can create conflict and stress, which prompts a coping response. The coping response initiated is a physiological reaction to the mother's appraisal of her situational conflict, and follows a process of appraisal. Firstly the working mother appraises the conflict itself. This is followed by the appraisal of the personal and environmental resources, constraints and demands. Finally, a …

From Dreams To Nightmares : Cross-Generational Romance In Mainstream American Cinema, Sol Stern

Theses : Honours

This thesis is concerned with the changes in cinematic depictions of romantic relationships in which there is enough age disparity that the couple could be mistaken for parent and child. These cross-generational affairs have significance within the ideology of the family unit, the heterosexual couple and the classic Hollywood ideal of romantic love. The way that these relationships have been portrayed on screen has changed drastically in mainstream American cinema from the 1950s to the 2000s, and these shifts reflect changing values and attitudes in society since all films exhibit certain ideologies. Through sampling several relevant films made between 1953 …

Social Implications Of Fearing Terrorism. A Report On Australian Responses To The Images, Anne Aly, Lelia Green

"Exploding Media Myths : Misrepresenting Australia?" - Forum

On 20 November 2008, 29 participants came together for the Exploding Media Myths: Misrepresenting Australia Forum at the University of NSW in Sydney. The Forum was designed to bring together keynote speakers, academics, policy makers, the media and community to discuss the findings of an Australian Research Council Discovery Project, Australian Responses to the Images and Discourses of Terrorism and the Other: Establishing a Metric of Fear. Over the course of the day, the participants discussed a range of themes relevant to the media and its representation of Australia and Australian values in the context of increased incidences of …

Quality Of Life Indicators: The Objective-Subjective Interrelationship That Exists Within One’S ‘Place Of Residence’ In Old Age, Jonathan Georgiou, Peter Hancock

Research outputs pre 2011

Using a largely qualitative research design, this study originally explored how a small cohort of aged clients and human service workers assessed and measured Quality of Life (QOL) amongst older people. A literature review was undertaken and interviews were conducted with participants from Community Vision Incorporated (CVI) and other key informants from separate human service agencies. The findings suggested that there was a dichotomous relationship between the perceived affects that in-home care and aged care facilities had on the QOL of older people. A number of participants suggested that in-home care and aged care facilities were disempowering and overall, impacted …

Knowledge Management In An Organisational Climate Of Uncertainty And Change: A Longitudinal Case Study Of An Australian University, Denise Gengatharen, Craig Standing, Shirlee-Ann Knight

Research outputs pre 2011

Universities are in the knowledge business and are expected to be at the forefront of knowledge management (KM). However, KM in a university is complex given the diversity of stakeholder groups. This is exacerbated in the Australian context by the changing climate of rationalisation, corporatisation and marketisation universities faced in the past decade. This paper investigates KM strategies in an Australian university to uncover barriers to knowledge-sharing among academics. Although the organisational infrastructure supports KM, many academics have not actively embraced it. One reason is that they struggle with KM for operational excellence in the increasing administrative aspects of the …

Wellbeing And Retention: A Senior Secondary Student Perspective, Jan Gray, Mark Hackling

Research outputs pre 2011

Non-completion of senior secondary schooling continues to be a matter of concern for policy makers and practitioners in Australia today. Despite the efforts of governments to improve participation and retention rates, 30% of students drop out of school before completing Year 12. Further, some students remain at school, just biding their time until graduation. Within this context, we investigate whether the wellbeing of the students is a key factor in supporting senior students in deciding to continue at school. The article reports on the first phase of a two-year study of factors impacting on quality retention and participation of 250 …

Investigating Other Leading Indicators Influencing Australian Domestic Tourism Demand, David Allen, Ghialy Choy Lee Yap

Research outputs pre 2011

In the tourism demand literature, much of the research focuses on income and price variables as demand determinants for travel. Nevertheless, the literature has neglected other possible indicators such as consumers’ perceptions of the future course of the economy, household debt and the number of hours worked in paid jobs. In fact, several studies found that these indicators could influence consumers in making decisions to travel. In this paper, we intend to examine whether there are other indicators that can influence future Australian domestic tourism demand. The research employs panel data with a total of 252 observations. For the dependent …

Insecurity By Obscurity: A Review Of Soho Router Literature From A Network Security Perspective, Patryk Szewczyk, Craig Valli

Research outputs pre 2011

Because of prevalent threats to SoHo based ADSL Routers, many more devices are compromised. Whilst an end-user may be at fault for not applying the appropriate security mechanisms to counter these threats, vendors should equally share the blame. This paper reveals that the lack of security related content and poor overall design could impact on end-users’ interpretation and willingness to implement security controls on their ADSL router. It argues that whilst the number of threats circulating the Internet is increasing, vendors are not improving their product literature.

Review Of The Misuse Of Kava Among Indigenous Australians, Belinda Urquhart, Neil Thomson

Research outputs pre 2011

Indigenous Australians experience a significant, disproportionate burden of ill-health when compared with non-Indigenous Australians. This is evidenced in the higher rates of disease and injury in the Indigenous population and their substantially lower life expectancy [1, 2]. The factors contributing to the poor health status of Indigenous Australians are extensive and complex, and reflect events involving dispossession, alienation, and segregation. Despite the multiplicity of factors responsible for the sub-standard health status of Indigenous people, substance use and abuse is one factor that has been identified as having a detrimental impact on poor health [3, 4]. A considerable body of research …

A Phase Iii Clinical Trial Of Exercise Modalities On Treatment Side-Effects In Men Receiving Therapy For Prostate Cancer, Robert Newton, Dennis Taaffe, Nigel Spry, Robert Gardiner, Gregory Levin, Bradley Wall, David Joseph, Suzanne K. Chambers, Daniel Galvao

Research outputs pre 2011

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is accompanied by a number of adverse side effects including reduced bone mass and increased risk for fracture, reduced lean mass and muscle strength, mood disturbance and increased fat mass compromising physical functioning, independence, and quality of life. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the effects of long term exercise on reversing musculoskeletal-related side effects, and cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors in men receiving androgen deprivation for their prostate cancer. Specifically, we aim to investigate the effects of a 12-month exercise program designed to load the musculoskeletal system and reduce cardiovascular and diabetes …