Rubric supported journal writing in mathematics : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Educational Studies (Mathematics), at Massey University

Using an Action Research model, this project followed the implementation of a journal writing programme in mathematics, in a grade three (year 4) class. The effect of journal writing, as a formative assessment tool upon a single teacher's approach to the teaching and assessment of mathematics in her textbook-based, whole class mathematics programme, is the focus of the study. The teacher who participated in this project looked towards the journal writing programme to assist her in making changes to her teaching and assessment practises in mathematics, in an effort to bring them in line with her performance based approach to other areas of the curriculum. Using Greenwood's (1993) criteria for mathematical thinking, rubrics were designed to make mathematical thinking a focus of her teaching and assessment in mathematics. Several changes in the teacher's approach to the teaching and assessment of mathematics were observed within the study period and continued sustained changes were realised in the longer term. In addition, aspects of her teaching and assessment practices that were not observed to change are discussed. The suggestion is made that the potential of journal writing to be used to extend and challenge the mathematical thinking of students may be partly dependent upon the depth and breadth of the mathematical knowledge of the teacher

Person to Person in Norway

While still in the midst of their study abroad experiences, students at Linfield College write reflective essays. Their essays address issues of cultural similarity and difference, compare lifestyles, mores, norms, and habits between their host countries and home, and examine changes in perceptions about their host countries and the United States. In this essay, Amber Hay describes her observations during her study abroad program at Telemark University College in Bø, Norway

Temporal Stimulus Generalization in Humans

Two experiments investigated temporal generalization in humans using a computer based task which presented red dots with a range of lines at different angles and durations. After training with a standard S+ stimulus duration, generalization testing commenced with an asymmetrical series of presentations of lines of varying angles and durations. Experiment 1 had four conditions, with a standard S+ duration being the presentation of a red dot for a fixed duration. Two of the conditions had the addition of the line tilt. In Experiment 1, 11 participants produced a peak shift effect in all four conditions. Experiment 2 was the same as Experiment 1 except that there were two conditions. Condition 2 was the same as Condition 1 except that the participants were given a verbal instruction to think of the line tilt as if hands on a clock. All 9 participants produced a peak shift effect in both conditions. In Experiment 2, the effect of categorising the stimuli and in turn changing the stimuli from a continuous dimension to discrete stimuli (one in which could be labelled) and the verbal instruction of to think of the line tilt as if hands on a clock did not have an effect on the peak shift as predicted. The results for both experiments were in accordance with predictions of adaptation level theory

Simulations of Solid-on-Solid Models of Spreading of Viscous Droplets

We have studied the dynamics of spreading of viscous non-volatile fluids on surfaces by MC simulations of SOS models. We have concentrated on the complete wetting regime, with surface diffusion barriers neglected for simplicity. First, we have performed simulations for the standard SOS model. Formation of a single precursor layer, and a density profile with a spherical cap shaped center surrounded by Gaussian tails can be reproduced with this model. Dynamical layering (DL), however, only occurs with a very strongly attractive van der Waals type of substrate potential. To more realistically describe the spreading of viscous liquid droplets, we introduce a modified SOS model. In the new model, tendency for DL and the effect of the surface potential are in part embedded into the dynamics of the model. This allows a relatively simple description of the spreading under different conditions, with a temperature like parameter which strongly influences the droplet morphologies. Both rounded droplet shapes and DL can easily be reproduced with the model. Furthermore, the precursor width increases proportional to the square root of time, in accordance with experimental observations. PACS: 68.10.Gw, 05.70.Ln, 61.20.Ja.Comment: to appear in Physica A (1994), standard LaTex, 20 page

The caring commodity : transformations in the exchange character of medicine in New Zealand (1840-1985) : a thesis presented to the Dept. of Geography, Massey University in complete fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts

Retrospective analysis of actions and interactions connected with health care makes evident their place as constituted and constitutive components of capitalist social relations. The contextually constrained activity of individuals to achieve certain ends has contributed to the production of outcomes which appear to be beyond individual control and which shape the social world. In explaining the main transformations in the character of medical services since the early days of European settlement emphasis is placed upon the multiple and differentiated emergence of various structures of relationships between, principally, doctors and patients, doctors and doctors, and those who, at various stages, have attempted to intervene in those relations. Over the period 1840-1985, medical practice has been transformed from a service provided on a user-pays basis, to one of collective provision, and back towards the "private" sector. In the six decades after 1840 medicine and the State became enmeshed. Some moves towards the State provision of health care services occurred. The period 1900-35 saw the supporters of both free enterprise and socialistic medicine inexorably drawn towards advocacy of some grand scheme of collective care, the character of which was extensively debated from 1935 until 1942. The outcome brought "free" provision of most medical care to those in need and also served the long term interests of capital. Since then, health care has been returning to the market. In part, the broad sweep from, and back to, commodity relations has arisen from actions to "solve" problems of health care provision and use. The solutions arrived at, however, have been compromises between conflicting demands. Although at times "solutions" may have facilitated the more humane allocation of medical services, the general tendency is for them to reproduce capitalist social relations

A river of risk : a diagram of the history and historiography of risk management

The history of risk and risk management can be evaluated through the historiography of the subject. Writings on the history of risk and risk management can also be treated as pieces of evidence. A diagram is proposed describing some of the subjects and influencing the development of risk management, focused through the theme of records management. A detailed exploration of the historiography is undertaken to indicate the relevance of the history of risk management to its present interdisciplinary status